Fix Microsoft Photos exe High Memory Usage

If the Microsoft Photos app (Photos.exe) is using an unusually large amount of memory, the fix is usually to repair or reset the app, clear its cache, or update Windows. Below are the exact steps to resolve high memory usage, along with the reasons it happens and how to prevent it from recurring.

Why Photos.exe Uses So Much Memory

Photos.exe is the process behind the built-in Windows Photos app. It handles viewing, editing, and organizing images, and it is designed to keep several images in memory so you can switch between them quickly. However, several things can cause it to balloon far beyond normal usage:

• Large image files – Raw photos, high-resolution panoramas, or 100+ MB images are decoded into memory at full resolution, which can consume several gigabytes.
• Corrupted cache – The app stores thumbnail and metadata caches. When these get corrupted or grow too large, the app may repeatedly re-scan folders, causing memory spikes.
• Too many open images – Having dozens of tabs or a long slideshow running keeps all those images in RAM.
• Background tasks – The app may run background tasks for indexing or syncing with OneDrive, which adds memory pressure.
• Outdated app or Windows – Bugs that cause memory leaks are often fixed in updates.

Normal memory usage for Photos.exe is roughly 100–500 MB when viewing a few images. If it consistently exceeds 1 GB or grows without bound, that is a sign of a problem.

How to Check If Photos.exe Is the Problem

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Processes tab and look for Photos under “Apps”.
3. Click the Memory column header to sort by memory usage.
4. Note the memory value. If it is above 1 GB and stays there even when the app is idle, you have high memory usage.

You can also check the exact process name: in Task Manager, right-click Photos and select “Go to details” – it will show as Photos.exe.

Fix 1: Close and Restart the Photos App

The quickest fix is to fully close the app and reopen it. This clears the current memory state.

1. Close all Photos windows.
2. In Task Manager, right-click Photos and select End task.
3. Reopen Photos from the Start menu.

If memory usage returns to normal, the spike was temporary. If it climbs again, continue with the next fixes.

Fix 2: Repair and Reset the Photos App

Windows includes a built-in repair tool that fixes corrupted app files without deleting your photos or settings.

1. Open Settings (Win + I) > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Scroll to Microsoft Photos and click the three-dot menu (…) next to it.
3. Select Advanced options.
4. Click Repair. Wait for it to complete.
5. Reopen Photos and check memory usage.

If Repair does not help, click Reset in the same screen. This will delete the app’s data (including settings and cached thumbnails) but will not delete your actual photo files. After reset, you will need to sign in again if you use OneDrive.

Fix 3: Clear the Photos App Cache

Resetting the app clears the cache, but you can also clear it manually if you prefer not to reset everything.

1. Close Photos completely.
2. Press Win + R, type %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache, and press Enter.
3. Delete the contents of that folder (you may need to click “Continue” for permission).
4. Restart Photos.

This removes cached thumbnails and temporary files. The app will rebuild the cache as you browse, which may take a few minutes but should reduce memory usage.

Fix 4: Update Windows and the Photos App

Microsoft regularly fixes memory leaks and performance bugs through updates.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates and restart.
2. Open the Microsoft Store, click Library > Get updates to update the Photos app itself.

After updating, restart your PC to ensure the new versions are fully loaded.

Preventing High Memory Usage in the Future

• Don’t keep hundreds of images open – Close tabs you aren’t using.
• Use a different viewer for huge files – For RAW or massive panoramas, consider a dedicated editor that handles them more efficiently.
• Keep your system updated – Updates often include performance improvements.
• Limit background syncing – If you use OneDrive, you can pause syncing in the Photos app settings.
• Restart Photos periodically – If you use it for long editing sessions, closing it occasionally frees memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to end the Photos.exe process?

Yes. Photos.exe is just the app process. Ending it will close any open Photos windows, but it will not damage your files. You can reopen the app afterward.

Will resetting the Photos app delete my photos?

No. Resetting only deletes the app’s settings, cache, and temporary data. Your actual image files remain untouched on your drive.

Why does Photos.exe use more memory when I open a RAW file?

RAW files contain uncompressed sensor data that must be decoded into a full-resolution image in memory. A 50 MB RAW file can easily use 500 MB or more of RAM while displayed.

What is considered “high” memory usage for Photos.exe?

Generally, anything above 1 GB for a single image viewer is high. Normal usage is under 500 MB. If it stays above 1 GB for no reason, apply the fixes above.

Can I disable the Photos app entirely?

Yes, you can uninstall it via Settings > Apps > Installed apps, but Windows may reinstall it during feature updates. You can also use a third-party viewer as your default, but you don’t need to disable Photos to fix memory usage.

Does the Photos app have a known memory leak?

Some Windows versions have had memory leak bugs in the Photos app, which is why updating is a key fix. Microsoft typically addresses these in cumulative updates.

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