The straightforward way to do this is to quit programs and close open files. So if your system begins to slow down, freeing up RAM can speed things up. When you run low on memory, though, this process may encroach on active computing tasks, which will significantly slow them down. The system continuously manages and optimizes memory by writing unused contents to disk. So if your computer begins to slow down, one of the first things you should check is whether your system is running out of memory. Your computer's RAM is a fast, temporary workspace for active tasks. But think twice before taking their claims at face value. There's no shortage of programs that promise to boost your computer's performance by clearing its memory.