Windows 11 can feel sluggish when background apps or cached data heavily use RAM. Monitoring memory usage and freeing up idle RAM helps maintain smooth performance.
Check Memory Usage via Task Manager in the Tray
Generally, you can check memory usage from the Tray by setting up Task Manager:
1. Right-click on the blank space of the Taskbar, then select Task Manager to open.
2. Click the Gear icon in the lower left corner, and scroll down to find the Windows Management.
3. Check the Always on top option.
Now you can see the memory usage in the tray.
Check RAM Usage and Optimize It via Wise Memory Optimizer
Admittedly, it’s convenient to check memory usage by using Task Manager, but you cannot free it up in the tray directly. Thus, we recommended you use a third-party tool, Wise Memory Optimizer, which is a free, lightweight utility that displays real-time RAM usage and allows you to optimize it in the system tray, reclaim unused RAM on demand, or automatically.
Step 1. Get Wise Memory Optimizer
You can download and install the tiny tool from here.
Step 2. Set up in Wise Memory Optimizer
Click the Settings icon, then check both options: Minimize to system tray when closed and Show memory usage in tray icon.
In the Auto Optimization part, there are two ways to free up RAM: When available memory is less than, and Optimize memory every. You can select one of them and set the desired value.
After setting up, close Wise Memory Optimizer to save your changes.
Step 3. View and Optimize Memory Usage in the Tray
Now extend the tray, and you will see the memory usage value displayed here.
Right-click on it to free up high RAM usage by selecting Optimize Now. You can also set a specific time to optimize it automatically here by clicking Auto Optimize, which lists options for 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes.
Conclusion:
With Wise Memory Optimizer’s tray monitor and one-click or automatic cleanup, you gain instant insight into RAM usage and a simple way to reclaim idle memory. Install the tool, configure the tray display, and set your optimization preferences to keep Windows 11 running smoothly with minimal effort.
