WindowServer serving up questions

[Felix Lyran]

I'm on an M4 Pro Mac mini and have found that WindowServer is regularly the process that occupies the top stop in terms of RAM. As soon as I log in, it's at the top (usually followed by the Logi options software, which auto-starts and controls the MX Master mouse). After opening a few apps, it's usually still at the second or third spot in terms of RAM usage. If most other apps are closed, it's almost always at the top spot. I used to have a MacBook Pro and don't recall WindowServer being anywhere near the top spot, but my memory is fallible and maybe I've just missed that it's a memory-hungry process. What could be going on here? Is it even unusual?

 

[Boyd01]

Usually seems to be at (or near) the top of the list on my 2018 i7 Intel Mini, so I don't think this is an Apple Silicon thing (I'm also running Windows 10 in a 32gb VM under Parallels)

This is my m4 16/256 Mini. I only use it as a media server for my Apple TV's and to directly stream from the Music app and SiriusXM in Safari with a connection to my home stereo system. Windowserver isn't anywhere on the list at all on that machine.

No idea what any of this means, but doesn't seem like there is any cause for concern.

 

[!!!]

WindowServer is the process responsible for drawing the UI. It needs memory for every window. Over the years there have been many, many reports of major memory leaks with various OS versions.

There's nothing you can really do, aside from restarting if it's using up too much memory. It will generally grow as you open more windows, and for the most part it doesn't really go back to its original size.

Windowserver isn't anywhere on the list at all on that machine.

Check the window titles, the second one is only showing "My Processes", which won't include WindowServer.

 

[Boyd01]

Check the window titles, the second one is only showing "My Processes", which won't include WindowServer.

Haha, good catch! I really only use that mini like an appliance. You're right, windowserver really is at the top of the list.

 

[Felix Lyran]

Haha, good catch! I really only use that mini like an appliance. You're right, windowserver really is at the top of the list.

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Not that absolute numbers are necessarily indicative of anything important, but mine is often at around the 375-400 MB right after logging in. Interesting to see it at the top of the list for you as well.