When your computer starts running slower than usual, you begin to tweak the software to try and make it run better . You also consider upgrading the processor or increasing the RAM to extend its lifespan.
However, this isn't always the best solution, as your computer might not be able to use all the RAM you install due to various software and hardware issues. If you want to know how to use all the RAM in Windows 10, keep reading.
What version of Windows we have installed
Windows 10 was the last operating system that Windows released in two versions: 32-bit and 64-bit. Without getting into technicalities you probably won't understand, 64-bit processors were born out of the need to use more memory in computers , since 32-bit processors can only manage 4 GB.
32-bit processors can only run 32-bit operating systems and applications. A 64-bit processor, on the other hand, can run both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
Windows 10 is the last version of Windows that is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions to meet all user needs; however, with Windows 11, Microsoft has taken the next step to force users to start upgrading their older computers , and it is only available in a 64-bit version.
How to use all RAM
Once we understand how 32-bit and 64-bit processors and operating systems work, along with their limitations, it's time to find out how to use all the RAM in Windows 10.
Step 1 - Find out the specifications
The first thing we need to know is how much RAM our computer has installed. To find out all the specifications of our computer, we'll use the CPU-Z application, a free application that we can download through this link.
Once we have downloaded and installed the application on our computer, we run it. This process will take a few seconds, which the application uses to gather all the computer's specifications and will then display a window with tabs showing all the specifications of our computer.
Since the information we're primarily interested in is the installed memory, we click on the Memory tab . In the General section, under Size, the amount of RAM physically installed is displayed. On my computer, it's 16 GB.
It also shows the memory type (in my case, DDR3) and the frequency speed, 800 MHz (798.1). This information is necessary if you plan to upgrade your computer's memory , as you must buy the same type of memory that is currently installed to increase its capacity; otherwise, it won't be compatible.
Another piece of information we need to know if we want to upgrade our computer's RAM is whether we have a free memory slot or if we need to buy new modules with more memory. We can find this out by going to the Memory Slot Selection tab and clicking on the drop-down menu.
My computer has 16 GB of RAM, and as the application shows, it's split into two 8 GB modules . Each memory slot is currently occupied by one 8 GB module. If I want to upgrade the memory, assuming the motherboard supports it, I would need to buy two 16 GB modules for a total of 32 GB.
But before we rush to buy the specific memory that our computer needs, we must know the maximum memory capacity that the motherboard accepts.
The CPU tab displays the motherboard and processor model. With this information, we need to visit the manufacturer's website to find out the maximum amount of memory it supports.
Step 2 - Check which version of Windows we have installed
Once we have found out what is the amount of physical memory our computer has, if we want to take advantage of all the memory in Windows 10, we must know what version of Windows we have installed. To find out which version of Windows 10 we have installed, we must follow the steps detailed below:
- First, we must access the Windows configuration options through the cogwheel located in the start menu or through the keyboard shortcut Windows key + i.
- Next, click on System.
- Within System, in the left column, click on About:
- All the specifications of our equipment will be shown below along with the version that we have installed.
- We must look at the Type of system section. Here it will show if we have a 64-bit or 32-bit version.
Step 3 - Install Windows 10 64-bit
If instead of showing 64-bit operating system it shows 32-bit operating system, it means that the version of Windows is limiting memory usage.
Therefore, if we want to use all the physical memory available on our computer , we must install the 64-bit version of Windows 10.
Differences between 32 and 64 bits
Besides the main limitation of 4 GB of memory offered by 32-bit processors, there are other associated limitations , such as when it comes to having more or fewer applications open.
If we open many applications simultaneously, the amount of RAM we'll need is much greater than the 4 GB offered by 32-bit versions . 32-bit versions can use a maximum of 2 GB per open application, while a 64-bit operating system can use up to 128 GB of RAM.
While 32-bit applications work on 64-bit operating systems , the reverse is not true, again due to the amount of memory that can be managed per open application.
64-bit versions of Windows and applications cannot be installed on computers with 32-bit processors ; however, we can install 32-bit versions on 64-bit processors, although practically no one does this because it limits both access to memory and the number of processors that can be used, in addition to not allowing us to use 64-bit applications.