Ask HN: Novel crazy ideas on reducing RAM usage

For windows: start it in safe mode with command prompt (without ui, or even without ui and network)

eliminate the desktop, taskbar, and file explorer and run only Command Prompt or PowerShell (replacing explorer.exe with a CLI shell in the registry) or using Server Core/Nano Server principles

In what context would this be? What application types? At OS level? This is a very broad question.

It was meant to be broad (for more creative responses). However, I would focus more on OS level.

Can do! On screen keyboard can only be used in T9 mode, only need graphics for 10 buttons instead of the full keyboard.

Boot into single-user mode. Set memory caps. Run apps on separate devices as "servers."

Recompile the kernel without extra device drivers.

Run apps on bare metal (see server idea above).

Don't use the computer at all, or charge yourself for "compute."

Simple: users should just stop multitasking

So almost Windows 8 tablet mode.

Go back to amiga and C64.

Uninstall windows and avoid electron and chromium-based apps.