The exemplary embodiments provide a computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-usable program code for managing memory. A notice of a shortage of real memory is received. For each active thread, the thread classification of the active thread is compared to a global hierarchy of thread classifications to determine a thread to affect. The global hierarchy of thread classifications defines the relative importance of each thread classification. An action to take for the determined thread is determined. The determined action is performed for the determined thread.