How to Increase RAM on Windows 7 & 10
Before starting with ways to increase computer memory in Windows 10, you must know how much RAM your PC actually needs. Let us look at these requirements given in the list below:
How to Increase RAM on Windows 7 & 10 Why Do You Need More RAM? Things to do Before Increasing RAM Method 1: Restart PC Method 2: Clear RAM Hogging Processes Method 3: Clear Startup Programs Method 4: Update Apps Method 5: Run Malware Scan Method 6: Update Device Drivers Method 7: Clear Memory Cache Method 8: Reduce Visual Effects Method 9: Adjust Virtual Memory Method 10: Clear Page File at Shutdown Method 11: Add More RAM
For lightweight browsing and word processing, you would need at most 4 GB RAM for your PC. In case of multitasking and maintaining the good overall performance of the PC, you need 8 GB RAM. While using high-intensity programs and apps on the PC or optimizing gaming performance, your system needs at least 16 GB RAM. PCs that must be used for education, professional, or enterprise purposes can handle up to 128 GB of RAM. Professional PCs that need multitasking and heavy programs to run need about 192 GB of RAM.
Why Do You Need More RAM?
Along with knowing how to boost computer memory, you must also be aware of the need to increase RAM. Usually, the need for more RAM arises from the fact that no more free RAM space is available on your PC, which makes the computer lag. Apart from insufficient RAM space that slows down the PC, there are other factors too that can affect the performance of your system:
Frequent power surges degrade system components Memory leaks from the system software Bad memory chips or bad hard drive sectors Viruses and malware degrading system resources Excessive software launching during startup
Although system aging is not in your hands, you can still boost your computer by increasing its RAM, and there’s a lot you can do about it. Physical memory in a system can be increased by reducing the amount of RAM used. There are multiple methods to do so, which we will unfold in the upcoming paragraphs. Apart from it, if reducing the workload on a PC does not work, you can try adding the RAM manually to your system. So, let us begin with our first method on how do I increase RAM on my PC.
Things to do Before Increasing RAM
Follow these steps before increasing the RAM. Step I: Check Current RAM The first method that needs to be followed to make more RAM space in your system is to check your current RAM initially. Before implementing methods that will increase physical memory, it is essential to know how much space has already been used by your system, and this can be done in a few easy steps that you can read down below:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open Task Manager.
Click on the Performance tab at the top and select Memory.
Now, check the In use and Available RAM space on your system.
Also Read: How to Check RAM Type in Windows 10 Step II: Check Needed RAM Amount Once you are aware of the current RAM, the next step to know how to increase my PC memory is checking the amount of RAM needed. This can be done by accessing Performance Monitor as done in the steps below:
Press the Windows key, type Performance Monitor and click on Open.
Click on Performance Monitor under Monitoring Tools on the left-side panel.
Click on the + green symbol at the top.
Select Paging File from the list and click on Add » button.
Click on OK.
Analyze how much more RAM you need from the chart. As can be seen, the graph for Process Time is above Usage Peak (represented by a green line), which indicates the need for more RAM.
Usually, 4 GB extra RAM is enough to carry out normal processes, but you can also use 8 GB RAM if you have to multitask on your system. Here are the methods to increase available physical memory in Windows 10.
Method 1: Restart PC
Now that you have checked your current available RAM and how much RAM you need, it is time to attempt one of the first troubleshooting fixes for how to increase RAM on Windows 7 & 10. Restarting the PC is indeed quite a simple yet effective method to try in this situation. As you might already know, restarting the system clears RAM content and restarts all the processes active in the background. This helps clear space from RAM and makes more space in it. Also, restarting your PC regularly is always advised if used often and constantly. Apart from following routine ways to restart the computer, you can read about some different methods in our guide on 6 Ways to Reboot or Restart a Windows 10 Computer.
Method 2: Clear RAM Hogging Processes
Even after a restart, some processes can continue consuming the system resources and keep you wondering how to increase available physical memory Windows 10. In such a scenario, it is best to clear these processes in the Task Manager window manually. To know more about making space in RAM, follow our guide on How to End Task in Windows 10 and implement the same.
Also Read: Fix Software Reporter Tool High CPU Usage in Windows 10
Method 3: Clear Startup Programs
Even though you have cleared Task Manager processes, sometimes they are not enough to increase computer memory Windows 10. In this case, you can try clearing the Startup programs that usually launch every time you start your computer or laptop and consume the available RAM. Read our guide on 4 Ways to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10 and implement the same on how to increase RAM on Windows 7 & 10.
When you are done with disabling unrequired programs, you can access some space on RAM that is cleared.
Method 4: Update Apps
Along with enhancing the system’s performance, updating apps also comes in handy in reducing RAM waste. Memory leaks are a common issue that can be encountered with the apps, which occur when a program does not return RAM to the pool once it has used the resources. Installing the latest update for the app can help fix the memory leak issue. Moreover, with an update comes more improvements that take up less RAM space. Follow the steps below to update apps using Microsoft Store:
Hit the Windows key, type Microsoft Store, then click on Open.
Click on the Library option.
Click on Update all, if updates are available.
Also Read: Fix Microsoft Store Error Code 0xc03f300d
Method 5: Run Malware Scan
If you want to know how to increase my PC memory, then checking for malware can help you. Sometimes software hogging resources can also be a reason why your system’s RAM is left with no space. To ensure that your system is not corrupt with malware, you can check our guide on How do I Run a Virus Scan on my Computer.
If you want to remove malware from your computer, follow our guide on How to Remove Malware from your PC in Windows 10 and implement the same.
Method 6: Update Device Drivers
The next fix for how to boost computer memory includes keeping a check on your device drivers. Corrupt driver files or conflicts can lead to memory leaks and excessive RAM consumption. Therefore, it is important to check drivers from time to time to save up space for RAM. You can check each driver individually in the Device Manager window and make sure there is no alert for any of the drivers. If there is one, then update the problematic drivers one by one. You can learn a great deal about updating them with the help of our guide on How to Update Device Drivers on Windows 10.
Also Read: How to Check How Much VRAM Do I Have on Windows 10
Method 7: Clear Memory Cache
Memory cache is another reason why your RAM is filling up fast. While closing applications, some programs don’t close properly and can consume RAM. This memory cache can also have an impact on the performance of your system. Hence, make sure that you clear the cache from your system. Get the help of our guide Quickly Clear All Cache in Windows 10 [The Ultimate Guide] to clear all types of cache from your PC.
Method 8: Reduce Visual Effects
Visual effects can be great for a system with sufficient RAM, but for Windows with low memory, it can be a lot on the RAM, and the only option left in such a case of how to increase RAM on Windows 7 & 10 is to reduce these visual effects.
Open File Explorer on your PC by pressing Windows + E keys together.
Right-click on This PC and select the Properties option.
Select Advanced system settings from the right panel.
Click on Settings… in the Advanced section.
In the Visual Effects tab, check the box for Adjust for best performance and click on OK.
Also Read: How to Fix High CPU Usage on Windows 10
Method 9: Adjust Virtual Memory
To increase computer memory Windows 10, you can also adjust virtual memory on your PC. It is an effective method and helps enhance a computer’s performance. Follow our guide on Manage Virtual Memory (Pagefile) In Windows 10 and implement the same.
Method 10: Clear Page File at Shutdown
Shutting down the system and applications does clear the system RAM, but it does not clear the page file that is stored on the hard disk. This page file is the pretend RAM that the system uses when RAM gets full and clearing this page file is therefore important to ensure there is enough space left for the next time you have to use your system. To do so, you need to follow the steps given below and perform them on your PC: Note: Make a backup of registry keys to restore to previous settings in case of manual errors during modification.
Open the search menu, type regedit, and click on Open to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following folder path in Registry Editor.
Now, double-click on ClearPageFileAtShutdown key.
Set Value data as 1 and then click on OK.
Also Read: How Much RAM Do I Need for Windows 10
Method 11: Add More RAM
If you are struggling with finding a solution to how to increase available physical memory Windows 10 after trying all the above-given methods, then it is certain that your system is in dire need of more RAM. Trying methods to clear some RAM space is insufficient in this case, so you need to add more RAM to your system manually. Manually adding RAM involves physically adding sticks of memory to your device. This can be done with the help of a manual, taking support from the manufacturer’s website, or leaving it to the professional. If you are planning to add RAM on your own, then follow the steps that are provided below: Note: The steps given below are to be performed on a laptop.
- Remove the plastic cover from the RAM compartment. This will expose two slots of RAM, out of which either one or both can be filled.
- Now, to take the RAM module out, pull the clamps present on both sides.
- Insert a new RAM module in the slot at a 45-degree angle and push it down.
- Finally, reassemble your PC and reboot it in BIOS to check if the RAM inserted has been recognized by the system. Hence, this is how to increase my PC memory. Recommended:
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We hope that our doc on RAM, its requirement, and how to increase RAM on Windows 7 & 10 could guide you well and that you were able to create sufficient RAM space on your device. Let us know which one of the methods was the most helpful to increase available physical memory in Windows 10. If you have queries or suggestions for us, please leave them in the comments below.
