How to Enable or Disable Memory Compression in Windows 11

Memory compression is a feature in Windows 11 that acts like a digital zip file for your RAM. Instead of moving inactive data to your slow hard drive or SSD (a process called paging), Windows squashes that data to take up less space in your physical memory. This keeps your system responsive by keeping more information ready for the processor to use instantly.

Why use memory compression?

The main reason is RAM efficiency. When you have many apps open, your computer runs out of room. Without compression, Windows would have to use your storage drive as temporary RAM, which is much slower. Compression keeps your system running smoothly without needing to rely on the slower pagefile on your disk.

What happens when done?

When you enable this, your computer uses less physical RAM. If you disable it, your computer stops compressing data. This saves a tiny bit of CPU power, but it forces your computer to use your hard drive more often, which can make your system feel sluggish if you have many apps open.

How to check your current status

You can check if memory compression is working by opening the Task Manager. Look under the Performance tab and click on the Memory section to see how much is compressed.

You can also check the status using PowerShell. Open the Windows Terminal as administrator and type this command:

Get-MMAgent

How to enable memory compression

Note: This step requires admin privileges.

If the status shows as False, you can turn it on. Open Windows Terminal as administrator and make sure you are in the PowerShell tab. Run the following command:

Set-MMAgent -MemoryCompression $true

After running this, close the terminal and restart your computer to save the changes.

How to disable memory compression

Note: This step requires admin privileges.

If you prefer to turn this feature off, open Windows Terminal as administrator and select the PowerShell tab. Run this command:

Set-MMAgent -MemoryCompression $false

Performance, SysMain, and RAM Latency

Memory compression uses a small amount of CPU overhead to compress and decompress data. For most users, this is invisible. However, if you have a very old processor, you might notice a slight impact. The SysMain service works alongside this to pre-load apps you use often into your RAM. Disabling compression can sometimes cause SysMain to work harder, leading to higher disk usage.

Troubleshooting Performance Degradation

If you notice your computer is slower after changing these settings, you should revert them immediately. Open PowerShell as administrator and run Set-MMAgent -MemoryCompression $true and restart your PC. If you still have issues, check your Task Manager to see if a specific app is consuming too much memory.

Summary

Memory compression is a vital part of Windows memory management. It helps your computer handle more tasks by shrinking inactive data in your RAM. While you can disable it using PowerShell, doing so often leads to slower performance and increased disk activity. For most users, leaving this feature enabled is the best way to ensure a fast and stable Windows 11 experience.