This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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:
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).
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.
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.
Dear Microsoft.
I work / live at an American school in the Mid-East. Here at this school, we attempt to teach our students "ownership" of their mistakes, actions & responsibilities... Here's the question of the day:
Are you going to formally acknowledge this bug to this thread? Or are you going to continue to ignore these 12+ forum pages of people who just want a formal acknowledgment and support?
This thread began December 1st 2013, and has yet been acknowledged. We deserve better.
- - - M. G.
Its been happening to me since I played the very first game on my laptop.
This problem is driving me insane and I am not able to play any games whatsoever.
There are no fixes for this on the internet so far and microsoft still ignores this problem to this day.
Somebody please find an answer out soon!!!!
I finally found a solution that works for me.
Wiped windows 8.1 and reinstalled windows 8.
This satisfies me in many ways as i pretty much hate the fact that your local account has to be a live account. That's just so unpractical in case of an htpc or shared computer. I don't want to create a live account for every shared machine I own...
Anyway, problem solved for me. Might not be the solution people are waiting for but as neither MS nor Intel seem to be doing anything, this seems just right.
Seems like a bit of slander to say that its Microsoft's problem if it isnt, but you can go ahead and keep pointing the finger at Intel if you like. I think that nobody here cares as long as it gets fixed. From the thread I pointed to on the intel site:
https://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-22579 Which states:
Hello All,
We have been checking an issue related to the Virtual Memory when gaming.
The Root Cause is that when game runs full-screen on Win8.1 in resolution different than desktop resolution, DWM (Desktop Window Manager – part of Windows, which draws the desktop) has memory leak and eventually fills all the system memory and page file with unused data and causes the system to crash.
We’ve got an internal email from Microsoft, confirming that it is a MS bug and the problem is not cause by our Graphics Driver.
You can check also a Microsoft post here for further information.
Since this is a Known issue, Microsoft is working towards a solution to resolve this inconvenient.
That's all fine and dandy.. but if it WAS a MS bug, it would do it with ALL the graphics drivers:
INTEL
AMD
NVIDIA
I'm just saying what Intel is saying is not making any sense from a programmer's point of view. I've done game programing on Windows for a few decades and now an iOS.
I'm not trying to be a blind MS "fan boy"... but the logical intel is created doesn't make sense. If this were a REAL MS bug.. people all over the WORLD would be plagued by it...
Now.. the only OTHER way I COULD see it as a bug in windows is this:
ATI/NVIDIA = GPU resides on the PCI BUS (a slot)
INTEL (built into the CPU and handled by the chipsets)
Now there could be a bug where windows doesn't deal with graphics on the CPU will (windows 8.1)
However, here the rub, when people go back to an older driver the issues goes away...
so again.. logic goes back to Intel broke their drivers.
And Chances are It's BOTH a bug with the intel drivers AND with Windows 8.1 :)
