I have memory leak problem after an update.

Windows 10. I have memory leak problem after an update. I hacked my windows because in my experience you ALWAYS have problems with new updates, but after a while Windows forced me to do so (the thing I hate the most in it). So I've updated and deeply regreted (again). Now my machine is unusable. The memory fills and then the machine slows down, becomes useless. I've tried everything I've found, sfc /scannow, win memory check, etc, for no avail. I installed Cleanmem and if I click on Clean File Cache now, it frees up some (4-10%) of memory but not for long. I must emphasize that I use the same programs the same way as before the update. Windows cleared the memory somehow, now it doesn't. I've read what I found on the net, I see that many people have the same problem for months now and Microsoft don't seem to care/do anything. I have the latest update and the bug stays. What can I do now? Is there a solution beside virus scan/keeping the fans clean/checking old drivers: my machine is up to date, virus/malware free and was working great before the update. Please help me.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say:

nemrob said:

I hacked my windows because in my experience you ALWAYS have problems with new updates, but after a while Windows forced me to do so (the thing I hate the most in it).

I don't think I've ever needed to hack Windows. But if your hacks have broken Windows, then I suggest you reinstall Windows, and this time do not hack it.

Let's get some fresh information:

Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste these commands:

1) winver (in the pop up view the windows version and build and post into the forum)
2) sfc /scannow
3) dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
4) chkdsk /scan

On the administrative command prompt box right click on the top bar and left click on edit > left click select all > then right click on the top bar again > left click copy > paste into the forum

5) msconfig (in the pop up place the dot into selective startup, un-check load startup items, then click on the services tab > in the left lower corner click hide all Microsoft services > on the lower right click disable all > apply/ok or exit without reboot

6) taskmgr (in the pop up click the startup tab > click the status column so that enable rises to the top > right click each row so that enable is changed to disable
7) reboot
This will place the computer in clean boot. The boot should be the fastest it has been in a long time.
Now check the performance of the computer and compare to the way it was behaving.
If there is no change in performance place the computer in safe mode with networking or safe mode with command prompt and compare the prior performance.
If the performance does not improve in clean boot or in safe mode then obtain a flash drive that you can format and create a bootable windows 10 iso: Download Windows 10

nemrob if Windows has given you so much trouble for 25 years and counting, why do you continue using it?

Spectrum said:

nemrob if Windows has given you so much trouble for 25 years and counting, why do you continue using it?

It is the lesser evil: I don't want to fiddle with Linux, and I don't have the money for a decent Apple. I try to like it every time I install a new version, but there is alway something that is deliberately put there to ruin my day. Why in hell can't I disable updates - I have a machine that works, why forcing me something I don't need/want? Google how many people had the same issue as I do: tens, maybe hundreds of thousands? And there is no official solution. Still you cant disable updates only by "hacking". Why? MS is like a bad celeb: if they have no talent or anything to show, they draw the attention by taking drugs, stealing in shops or sh.ting in public. Just to grab attention.
Still I'm fiddling and writing (and wasting my time on windows) instead of working...

When all else fails there is always WPR. Windows performance recorder can be run when you are experiencing high memory consumption. The challenge is either learning how to analyze the results or getting it interpreted.

I was using the pc for a few days to see if everything is ok after the clean boot and seems, yes. So my question is why not always booting clean? If it is a lot faster, more reliable - why not use it all the time. I will, at least to the point when an update/solution comes up from MS that fixes the memory leak problem.
Thank you very much for the help!

It is highly recommended to always use clean boot as it provides the fastest boot. At the same time it turns off bloat ware. Selective boot does not need to be at one extreme (clean boot) or the other (normal boot). For example you may find that you are always using 2 or 3 applications so you want these to load at boot so that you don't have to wait each time to load them. It's a matter of personal efficiency.

See this link for comments on clean boot:
Windows 10 Performance and Install Integrity Checklist - Microsoft Community

nemrob said:

but there is alway something that is deliberately put there to ruin my day.

Seriously? You believe that Microsoft says "Hey, let's deliberately ruin nemrob's day"?

nemrob said:

Why in hell can't I disable updates

Because, machines that are not updated are a menace to society, and the internet as a whole. Look at the recent Wannacry fiasco, that was largely the fault of people who hadn't updated their systems. (I mean it was spread widely because people hadn't updated, not that they are at fault for creating it).

You absolutely should always apply updates, especially security updates. If you don't, you're a malware attack waiting to happen. Which would be fine if it only affected you, but often times your machine is then used to spread the attack to others.

nemrob said:

- I have a machine that works, why forcing me something I don't need/want? Google how many people had the same issue as I do: tens, maybe hundreds of thousands?

First, it's not debatable about whether or not you need patches. You do. Whether or not you WANT them is a different story, because what people want is often times at odds with what they need.

I don't care how many years you've been using windows. If you hack your system, you are now taking your system out of the tested configuration. Once you do that, all bets are off as to whether or not future patches will work with your system...

In other words, you are creating your own problem and then saying "See, I told you i'd have problems!". Yes, there are a lot of people who might have your same problem, but in my experience, this is because they've gone off the reservation and made modifications to their system.

Why not just *try* to use a system without hacking it? You might find it "just works" rather than spending all your time fighting up stream.