Windows 8.1 x64 - Low memory while playing full screen games

Anonymous
2013-12-01T18:38:14+00:00

Info: This bug was fixed on August 12th 2014 with the release of the month's Patch Tuesday. Make sure to install every update available for your system, if you're having the problem described on this thread.


Hello, I've been facing a "tough" problem with my computer running Windows 8.1 x64. I did not upgrade from Windows 8, I did a clean install and for the past month, everytime I play some of the new 2013 games (Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Battlefield 4, CoD:Ghosts etc.), I'm constantly getting a "low memory" warning from time to time. 

So, giving that my laptop is capable of running these games (Asus N56VZ - Intel Core i7, Intel HD 4000 + Nvidia GT650 M, 6GB DDR3, 750GB 7200rpm, Full-HD 15,6" screen), I began searching for an answer. Here's what I've concluded:

When the game (eg: Battlefield 4) opens, the memory consumption begins to rise, and rise, and rise, non stop, until the system doesn't have more memory available and triggers the low memory warning. However, in the exact moment that I "alt+tab" out of game OR the memory warning does it for me, all of the occupied memory is emptied instantly, like magic!

I was able to "understand" this using Process Explorer by MS (sysinternals), heres a screenshot that shows the "climbing" and the sudden drops:

http://prntscr.com/2809xc

I cant really discover where all this memory is being allocated/used, and I have no idea on whats causing this. I also don't know if this is Windows-related, device-related or driver-related.

Is anyone facing this as well? 

[UPDATE DECEMBER 9th] This issue is triggered when the resolution in which the games are being played differs from the resolution configured on Windows.

If you are playing a game, say, in 1366x768, you need to change the system resolution to the same 1366x768 BEFORE opening the game. That will stop the excessive memory consumption and you'll be able to play the game fine.

My system is in Portuguese, but I think it's easy to get it:

This also concludes that the issue is Windows-related and not driver related, so we'll have to wait for Microsoft to patch it. Meanwhile, remember to change your resolution when you're going to play.

[UPDATE APRIL 26th 2014]

According to some Intel folks at communities.intel.com (http://is.gd/71Vha2), Microsoft has confirmed the issue with Windows 8.1 in an internal email. It resides - as it was explained - on the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) which triggers a memory leak when running fullscreen games with a resolution different than the desktop resolution.

The memory leak fills the system memory and page file with junk until there's no more memory available.

We assume Microsoft is already working on a fix for this, altough we never heard anything "official" from them regarding the issue. 

[UPDATE AUGUST 14th 2014]

The problem has been finally fixed by Microsoft with the release of the August updates on Aug. 12th.

Make sure to install every single update available - including the optional ones - and you'll no longer receive low-memory warnings when running fullscreen games/apps with different resolution/refresh rate.

Also make sure you're using the latest drivers available for your Intel and/or Nvidia GPU (it might be important).

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Gaming

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2014-08-13T05:04:19+00:00

I might be a bit cynical but I looked through all the support KB's from the updates today and couldn't find anything that related to fixing this issue (unless I'm missing something)...

Yesterday i have made the update and i found via the link also no description, but...

Yah!, after nearly 10 months, microsoft have now solved this bug.

With the latest patches (Patch Day 12.08.2014, also install the optional Updates),

all different resolutions and framerates works well.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-21T13:16:05+00:00

    This thread was started on December 1 2013, it is now March 21 2014 are we any nearer to a solution to this problem ? Or is the worlds largest operating system manufacturer stumped by a memory leak problem that is obviously plaguing many of the people (myself included) on here, also around the web in other forums and  those at home who are now just deciding that they can´t now play the game that according to the games system requirements they should easily be able to play....................Come on Microsoft sort this problem out soon, as not only is it poor service but it kinda sucks just being told we are looking into this problem.....

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-14T18:03:30+00:00

    I've just tried the last beta driver (15.33.0.3496) and the problem is still there. It's really annoying.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-14T02:13:32+00:00

    I have the exact same problem! Every time I play a game either from steam or desktop, I get these errors. It usually wont crash the game, but if I click close it will pop up again and minimize the game so usually I leave it open and keep gaming. I started looking for a solution, that's when I really grew to hate windows 8 and microsoft. Rant: First, I couldn't disable the error message because I couldn't run gpedit.msc. OK I thought, I'll run MMC directly then load the snap-in right? WRONG! I can clearly see the option to load it so in all likelyhood the software is all there, but trying to load it gives me the error "This snap in may not be used with this edition of windows 8.1. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Acconts tool in the Control Panel". I laugh because in the user accounts window in control panel, there is literally no option to disable any error messages. Clicking "advanced" only brings up a checkbox. A checkbox!!!! And not even one you can de-select, it's permanently checked.

    OK windows, you've forced me to get tough with you! No more nice guy. I'm going into the registry! I google the keys I need to delete and go into regedit. I find the keys, make backups and then.... No permission to delete. AAAAArgh! I nearly threw the computer out my window. Tears of pure anger welling up. I swore off windows products for the rest of my life and for the first time ever, considered getting a mac. But the problem with macs for me other than the price, you get the same level of freedom as F*** windows 8.1 minus all the games compatibility. I spent the next few minutes fantasizing about convincing everyone, (especially game devs) to switch to linux. At least then you can have some freedom to mess things up if you want. I conceded defeat and went to windows customer support. The guy told me to run a system scan for corrupted files. I knew it was bullshit, just a way for him to get  rid of me without giving actual advice, but I ran the scan anyway. It came back saying it found corrupted files, but coldn't fix them for some reason. OK, I'll go through them manually and fix them, maybe this will solve my problem. How naive because you have to do some command prompt wizardry to get the log file into a text editor so you can even look at the problems. And when I was done the file came back blank..... yeah.....

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-12T13:42:02+00:00

    yeah i do man

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