Penemonie
Level 1 (4 points)
Photos for Mac

Q: How to check/delete useless processes running in the background that take up a lot of memory?

When I am not running any applications more than 4GB of memory (My MBP has 6GB of memory) is being used by these processes. I once installed tons of applications and now I only have a few left but I think these are left by those applications. Is there a way to check which ones are useless so I can delete?

Screen Shot 2015-05-22 at 9.54.57 AM.png

MacBook Pro, 13inch, late 2011

Posted on May 22, 2015 7:37 AM

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Penemonie

Q: How to check/delete useless processes running in the background that take up a lot of memory?

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis May 22, 2015 8:14 AM in response to Penemonie
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    May 22, 2015 8:14 AM in response to Penemonie

    Your memory usage is normal. If you have a functional problem, please describe it. Otherwise, use the computer and enjoy life.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 22, 2015 11:24 AM in response to Penemonie
    Level 9 (52,769 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 22, 2015 11:24 AM in response to Penemonie

    With the advent of Mavericks. Ram is utilized by the OSX differently than before.  The OSX, in order to run as efficiently as possible, will try to use all RAM that may be available.  No longer is the amount used the criteria to determine RAM performance, but PRESSURE.  If it is GREEN, it is good.  Other colors will indicate possible problems.  Your posted image shows green.

     

    Please read this:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201464

     

    Ciao.

  • by Penemonie,

    Penemonie Penemonie May 22, 2015 12:59 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 22, 2015 12:59 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    So I guess there is no way to prevent all the processes from eating up the memory then. Thanks for the info~

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 22, 2015 1:27 PM in response to Penemonie
    Level 9 (52,769 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 22, 2015 1:27 PM in response to Penemonie

    Penemonie wrote:

     

    So I guess there is no way to prevent all the processes from eating up the memory then. Thanks for the info~

    I hope that you do not see that as being inherently bad.  With Mavericks and Yosemite OSX's, that is not the case.  Just let the OSX do the job it is designed to do. 

     

    Ciao

  • by Penemonie,

    Penemonie Penemonie May 22, 2015 6:17 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 22, 2015 6:17 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Are you saying if I upgrade to Yosemite the problem will be solved?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 23, 2015 2:52 AM in response to Penemonie
    Level 9 (52,769 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 23, 2015 2:52 AM in response to Penemonie

    Penemonie wrote:

     

    Are you saying if I upgrade to Yosemite the problem will be solved?

    No.  Installation of Yosemite will not alter what you are experiencing.

     

    Based on the information that you have presented, there is NOT a problem with your computer.  To repeat, Mavericks and Yosemite Utilize RAM differently than prior OSX's.  If you want to eliminate some background activity, set Activity Monitor to MY PROCESSES and quit applications that you are not using.  That is the only meaningful control you have in influencing OSX operation.  You might reread the link I provided earlier.

     

    Ciao.