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
    2014-06-13T12:55:14+00:00

    That might be an option with some people, but it's not really viable in my case.  My system doesn't have drivers available for Windows 8.  I'm currently running Windows 8, but my touchpad is basically unusable, and some other hardware doesn't function properly.  Gaming is slightly better, but I still haven't decided if that benefit is worth it.  

    You can manually DL and force install 8 drivers into 8.1 that temp solve this issue. I've done it as have others. 

    If u NEED to tun 8.1, run 8.1 and just force install 8.0 video drivers

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-13T12:52:59+00:00

    Why don't you guys temporarily downgrade to Windows 8? It's equally fast as Windows 8.1. Maybe minor differences but that's it. On my ThinkPad W530 I disabled Nvidia Optimus in the BIOS by enabling 'Discrete Mode', solved the problem for me. Maybe I have a little less battery life. But for now it works.

    I asked a friend of me about the progress on the development of this bug, Meanwhile let Microsoft do their job and keep it clean here! ;-)

    The problem is there is nothing for MS to do

    people keep complaining this is an MS

     MS FUNDAMENTALLY changed the mem management system from 8 to 8.1. Plus whole lot of other changes. The biggie is 8tb virtual address space is now 128tb

    Video drivers not properly coded with just eat and leak memory to no end

    this is what I've been trying to get through to people

    old drivers work because they are address the old 8tb address space

    when intel updated their normal and hybrid drivers they made a bug in their 8.1 driver set that's why old ones work. This bug eats menory

    Not all my solutions work for everyone 

    Live just listed POSSIBLE work Arounds and the ones that works for me.  I can. Turn in the intel graphics in. My desktop and generate the same issues have.   I also have a laptop that suffers from this. I ended up force installing. A win 8 driver. In. Win 8.1 to solve my issue

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-13T12:41:46+00:00

    Finally some people with common sense ... i hate those trolls .. ugh !!

    And I hate people who whine and won't try alternative solutions till it's fixed and argue and shoot down people's helpful solutions

    i Abe a work laptop with this issue I've worked around it. Why are u so resistant?

    i can turn in intel graphics on my alienware desktop and duplicate this and work around it. 

    In not saying stop complaining. I'm saying stop complaining if u aren't willing to try all possible,e fixes. And keep complaining to the party at fault. INTEL

    sHure u can complain to ms for changing the os... But that'll NEVER fix your issue

    ive hammered the intel techs and called them out on their BS answers. All they say is blame ms.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-13T12:39:04+00:00

    I Have a computer with this issue so no I'm not trolling.  I'm trying to help

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