ByWindows users often face the problem that their system suddenly becomes slow, and a process “Vmmem” appears in Task Manager, consuming too much CPU and Memory. This article provides a solution to this problem. Here we will explain how you can fix the Vmmem High Memory and CPU Usage problem permanently.
What is Vmmem, and why does it use more resources?
Vmmem is a background process under Windows, which is part of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or any virtual machine such as Docker. When you run a Linux distribution, Docker container, or VM, the Vmmem process tracks the CPU and RAM used to run all these virtualized enclosures.
When these virtual environments consume more resources, Vmmem also increases RAM and CPU Usage in the same proportion.
1. Shut down unused Docker or WSL instances
If you have started any container or VM using Docker or WSL, the first and foremost solution is to shut it down.
Command to shut down Docker container:
“`bash
docker stop $(docker ps -q)
“`
Command to shut down WSL distribution:
“`bash
wsl –shutdown
“`
This will make the Vmmem process stop consuming RAM and CPU immediately.
2. Set WSL resource limits
WSL can naturally use the maximum RAM and CPU of your system. But you can set its limit by creating a `.wslconfig` file.
Steps:
1. Create a file named `.wslconfig` in your User Folder (eg, `C:\Users\YourName`).
2. Paste the following code in it:
“`ini
[wsl2]
memory=4GB Maximum RAM
processors=2 Number of CPU Cores
“`
3. Restart the system.
Now Vmmem will use only as many resources as you have set.
3. Disable Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Features
If you do not use virtualization, turning off these features will completely disable the use of Vmmem.
Steps:
1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows Features On or Off.
2. From there, uncheck Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, and Windows Subsystem for Linux.
3. Restart the system.
4. Limit Background Apps
Many times, other applications also keep triggering Docker or WSL in the background. Therefore, you should limit background apps.
Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and Disable non-essential apps.
5. Identify Process with Resource Monitor
With the help of Resource Monitor, you can know which process is consuming the most RAM and CPU.
Steps:
1. Press Windows + R and type “resmon”.
2. Click on the Memory and CPU tab.
3. Here, you will be able to see which process is misusing resources through Vmmem.
6. Optimize Virtualization Platform
If you regularly use Docker or WSL, you should optimize them by going to their Settings and Preferences.
Docker Desktop Settings:
Limit Memory and CPU by going to the Resources tab.
Clean up unused volumes and images:
“`bash
docker system prune -a
“`
7. Update Windows Update and Drivers
Outdated drivers or Windows versions can also contribute to resource consumption.
Install all updates by going to Settings > Windows Update. Also, update the GPU, Network, and other required drivers by going to Device Manager.
8. Remove Temporary Files and Cache
Vmmem sometimes consumes more RAM due to unnecessary cached data. So:
Use Disk Cleanup:
1. Type “Disk Cleanup” in Windows Search.
2. Select C Drive.
3. Select Temporary Files, System Cache, and other checkboxes.
4. Press OK.
9. Completely Uninstall WSL (if necessary)
If you don’t use Linux or Docker, WSL and related features should be uninstalled.
Steps:
1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
2. Uninstall Ubuntu, Kali Linux, or other distributions from there.
3. Also, disable WSL and Virtual Machine Platform from Windows Features.
10. Create an Auto-Shutdown Script for Vmmem
You can create a small PowerShell script to Automatically Shutdown Vmmem:
“`powershell
wsl –shutdown
“`
Save it in a `.ps1` file and add it to Task Scheduler.
Conclusion
If you are facing the problem of Vmmem High Memory and CPU Usage in Windows, then by adopting all the above measures, you can get rid of this problem permanently. Whether you are a developer or a normal user, it is important to ensure that your system is free from unnecessary processes.
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Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to Vmmem High Memory and CPU Usage in Windows:
Question 1: What is Vmmem?
Answer:
Vmmem is a system process that manages the CPU and RAM used by Virtual Machines (VMs) or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) running in Windows. It works in the background and is only active when you use virtualization-based apps like Docker or Linux distributions.
Question 2: Why does Vmmem consume so much RAM and CPU?
Answer:
When you use Docker containers, Linux VMs, or WSL, these applications use your system’s resources (CPU, RAM). Vmmem tracks all these resources, so it shows high resource consumption. Sometimes this usage can be excessive if the container or VM is not shut down properly.
Question 3: Can I shut down Vmmem?
Answer:
Vmmem cannot be shut down directly, but you can disable it by closing or shutting down the application it is connected to (such as Docker or WSL):
“`bash
wsl –shutdown
docker stop $(docker ps -q)
“`
Question 4: Is Vmmem a virus?
Answer:
No, Vmmem is not a virus. It is a legitimate Windows system process that performs virtualization-related services. It is harmless as long as you are running trusted virtual apps.
Question 5: How to set RAM and CPU limits for Vmmem?
Answer:
You can set RAM and CPU limits by creating a file named `.wslconfig` in your system:
“`ini
[wsl2]
memory=4GB
processors=2
“`
This file should be in your user folder (`C:\Users\YourName`).
Question 6: Can Vmmem be obliterated?
Answer:
It is not possible to remove Vmmem as it is a Windows system process. However, you can disable it by uninstalling features like Docker, WSL, or Virtual Machine Platform so that it will never be active again.
Question 7: Can Vmmem cause my computer to slow down?
Answer:
Yes, if Vmmem is using more RAM and CPU, it may not give other applications the resources they need, which can lead to a slow system. Follow the steps above to fix this.
