Huge memory leak with CleanMyMac X on iMac 2020 running Monterey 12.0.1

the only thing CMM-X is good for is causing issues with macOS. it's also an effective cash vaccuum. it is well known to cause issues. more specifically, issues such as those you are reporting.

if you want to keep your mac clean, i suggest you read Effective defenses against malware and other threats. it's a long article but worth your time to read the whole thing.

It was an intelligent response based on years of posts in these communities where people had issues with CleanMyMac and resolved by removing the product. Otherwise, Mac Paw is responsible for it working to your expectations on Monterey.

Get rid of CleanMyMac. It's complete garbage.

As I said elsewhere. Open Activity Monitor. Put it in a desktop you don’t use. When you find an app or process that is taking too much memory, zap it by force quit. If it's a process in the system, it will reopen immediately with the appropriate memory. if its an app you will have to open it again. If the app keeps doing it, then you will need to stop using it until Apple finds the source of these leaks in the OS.

The rest of us do not install that MacPaw crap and do not have to worry about memory leaks or the application removing valid parts of the operating system or applications.