Free System Resources Do Not Return to Previous Value (146418)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q146418

SYMPTOMS

When you start a program and then quit it, the Free System Resources value may not return to the same value as before you started the program.

CAUSE

There are two possible explanations for this behavior:

  • System Initialization

    Windows defers much of system initialization until the first time a program asks for a particular service. For example, each font is initialized when a program first asks for it, rather than initializing all fonts at system startup (as in Windows 3.1).

    If a program requests a service that uses deferred initialization, the service remains initialized after the program has exited. The system resources associated with that service are not freed. The system keeps the service initialized so that the next program that requests the service does not have to wait for the service to be initialized.

    This behavior is by design.
  • Compatibility

    For compatibility reasons, Windows does not free system resources abandoned by Windows 3.1-based programs until all Windows 3.1-based programs have been closed. Only when there are no Windows 3.1-based programs running can Windows safely release abandoned system resources.

    If you close all Windows 3.1-based programs but the behavior continues, restart Windows.

RESOLUTION

  • System Initialization

    The system is operating normally.
  • Compatibility

    Quit all Windows 3.1-based programs to allow Windows to perform maximum system resource reclamation.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB146418
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