How to Set Maximum Memory to be Used by Windows 7 and Windows 8
Information
This will show you how to specify the maximum amount of physical memory (RAM) to be used by Windows to simulate a low memory configuration by using less RAM, or to make sure that you are using all of your installed RAM.
Windows uses all of your installed RAM memory by default.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
Windows uses all of your installed RAM memory by default.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
Note
32-bit (x86) Windows 7/8 Maximum RAM Limit
- All editions: 4GB
- Home Basic: 8GB
- Home Premium: 16GB
- Professional: 192GB
- Enterprise: 192GB
- Ultimate: 192GB
- (core): 128GB
- Pro: 512GB
- Enterprise: 512GB
Warning
- If you have a integrated/onboard graphics chip on your motherboard and are using a graphics card instead, then double check your BIOS settings to make sure that you do not have any memory allocated to the integrated/onboard graphics chip (ex:hardware reserved) so that it will be used by Windows instead.
- If you are using a integrated/onboard graphics chip on your motherboard to display your monitor from, then part of your memory (RAM) will be allocated to it as set in the BIOS.
- Double check to see if you have a memory mapping option in your BIOS settings. If you do, enable it.
CONTENTS:
- Option One: Set Maximum Memory for Windows in System Configuration (msconfig)
- Option Two: Set Maximum Memory for Windows in Command Prompt in Windows
- Option Three: Set Maximum Memory for Windows in Command Prompt at Boot
OPTION ONE
Set Maximum Memory for Windows in System Configuration (msconfig)
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
3. Under the Boot tab in System Configuration, click/tap on the Advanced options button, and do step 4 or step 5 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
4. To Have Windows Use All Installed MemoryNOTE: This is the default setting.A) Uncheck the Maximum memory box, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the box is not checked, then it does not matter what the selected number is since Windows will use all available RAM by default and ignore whatever value is in the box underneath.
5. To Have Windows Use a Specified Maximum Amount of MemoryNOTE: Only when the box is checked, can you specify how much installed RAM you want to allow Windows to be able to use in the drop down box. A) Check the Maximum memory box, then type in how many MB of your installed Memory that you want Windows to only be able to use up to, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)
6. Check the Make all boot settings permanent box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)NOTE: You will still be able to come back and make changes again if you like.
7. Click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will still be able to come back and make changes again if you like.
8. Click/tap on the Restart button. (see screenshot below)
WARNING: This will restart the computer immediately. Make sure you save and close anything open that you do not want to lose first.
Tip
If you checked the Don't show this message again box and would like to restore this Restart box to display again, then see: How to Restore the System Configuration Restart Prompt in Vista or Windows 7
9. When Windows is finished restarting, it will now be using only the maximum amount of memory that you specified.
NOTE: You can look in Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) to confirm this amount of memory.
OPTION TWO
Set Maximum Memory for Windows in Command Prompt in Windows
1. Open an elevated command prompt in Windows 7 or Windows 8.
2. Do step 3 or step 4 below for what you would like to do.
3. To Have Windows Use a Specified Maximum Amount of MemoryA) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below) bcdedit /set {current} truncatememory bytes
Note
Substitute bytes in the command above with how many actual bytes of maximum memory you want Windows to be able to use.
1073741824 bytes = 1 GB
(1073741824 x GB = bytes you type in command)
For example: If I wanted to set Windows to use 2 GB of maximum memory, then 1073741824 bytes x 2 GB = 2147483648. I would type this command below exactly.
bcdedit /set {current} truncatememory 2147483648
1073741824 bytes = 1 GB
(1073741824 x GB = bytes you type in command)
For example: If I wanted to set Windows to use 2 GB of maximum memory, then 1073741824 bytes x 2 GB = 2147483648. I would type this command below exactly.
bcdedit /set {current} truncatememory 2147483648
4. To Have Windows Use All Installed MemoryNOTE: This is the default setting.A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} truncatememory
5. Restart the computer to apply. OPTION THREE
Set Maximum Memory for Windows in Command Prompt at Boot
1. Open a command prompt at boot for Windows 7 or Windows 8.
2. Do step 3 or step 4 below for what you would like to do.
3. To Have Windows Use a Specified Maximum Amount of MemoryA) In the command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
bcdedit /set {default} truncatememory bytes
Note
Substitute bytes in the command above with how many actual bytes of maximum memory you want Windows to be able to use.
1073741824 bytes = 1 GB
(1073741824 x GB = bytes you type in command)
For example: If I wanted to set Windows to use 2 GB of maximum memory, then 1073741824 bytes x 2 GB = 2147483648. I would type this command below exactly.
bcdedit /set {default} truncatememory 2147483648
1073741824 bytes = 1 GB
(1073741824 x GB = bytes you type in command)
For example: If I wanted to set Windows to use 2 GB of maximum memory, then 1073741824 bytes x 2 GB = 2147483648. I would type this command below exactly.
bcdedit /set {default} truncatememory 2147483648
4. To Have Windows Use All Installed Memory
NOTE: This is the default setting.A) In the command prompt, type the command below, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} truncatememory
5. Restart the computer to apply.
That's it,
Shawn
Last edited:
