Windows 7: How to make Windows 7 x64 use ALL your Memory!

aero2008 · 08 Jul 2009

Okay, so recently I had a problem with Windows 7 x64 only using 5Gb out of my 6Gb or RAM. I figured it out, and I'll show you what to do if you're having problems.

The first screenshot is what it looked like initially.

How to fix:

1) Go to start menu and search for "msconfig" and hit enter.

2) Go to the "Boot" tab and click on "Advanced Options".

3) Another menu should pop up. From there, you want to uncheck the box that says "Maximum memory"

4) It will ask you to restart your system. Restart it, and when it boots back up, it will use all your memory.

Look at the attachments for more help!

DJG · 08 Jul 2009

It would be interesting to understand the significance of both options. I'm very fuzzy on what the ramifications of either option are. Maybe somebody else has some insight?

Antman · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by DJG

It would be interesting to understand the significance of both options. I'm very fuzzy on what the ramifications of either option are. Maybe somebody else has some insight?

See this MSDN article.

DJG · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Antman

See this MSDN article.

Thanks, Antman. It's a good explanation of the boot memory parameters. I was wondering more from a performance / capacity perspective what the impact was, if there is any advantage on having all memory available at boot time which apparently allows it to reserve 1GB to the hardware.

That's how I'm currently configured. Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet one of these days and play around ...

aero2008 · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by DJG

Thanks, Antman. It's a good explanation of the boot memory parameters. I was wondering more from a performance / capacity perspective what the impact was, if there is any advantage on having all memory available at boot time which apparently allows it to reserve 1GB to the hardware.

That's how I'm currently configured. Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet one of these days and play around ...

I say go for it. It's an extremely easy tweak and only takes a second.

Antman · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by DJG

...It's a good explanation of the boot memory parameters. I was wondering more from a performance / capacity perspective what the impact was, if there is any advantage on having all memory available at boot time...

You misunderstand the function. This setting is applied at boot time, but is in effect for the current session (all subsequent sessions if unchanged).

Any impact on boot timing relative to this setting, measured by stopwatch or any other process, can only be related to allocation or virtual memory tabulation. Windows will not boot any faster or slower in the mean once the system has its unique minimum memory configuration satisfied. In other words, if a machine is perfectly configured with 4 GB RAM (unique minimum memory configuration satisfied), increasing the physical RAM to 8 GB will not reduce boot time.*

*Given that no other hardware changes are deployed.

matt_0978 · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by DJG

It would be interesting to understand the significance of both options. I'm very fuzzy on what the ramifications of either option are. Maybe somebody else has some insight?

RAMifications, i like it!

DJG · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by matt0978

RAMifications, i like it!

Good one! Dang, I didn't even notice - I'm a poet, and I don't know it!

Muad Dib · 08 Jul 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by aero2008

Okay, so recently I had a problem with Windows 7 x64 only using 5Gb out of my 6Gb or RAM. I figured it out, and I'll show you what to do if you're having problems.

I am more curious as to how your memory usage became restricted to begin with.

WiFi Ed · 08 Jul 2009

Interesting... My installation of Win 7 x64 RC 7100 already had the Maximum memory box unchecked. Which makes sense actually, since the MSDN article seems to indicate that this box would only be checked to force the OS to use less RAM for testing purposes.