Windows 7 users are still one of the most popular and sought-after operating systems around the world, even after Microsoft announced that it was no longer supported. However, very often the inconvenience of using it on home and office PCs is that far from always the x86 system correctly perceives the hardware upgrade in terms of increasing RAM levels to increase productivity. About how much “RAM” Windows 7 32 bit sees, then we'll talk more specifically. And here you need to clearly navigate the architecture, since the answer to the main question in most cases depends precisely on such knowledge.
How much memory can a 32-bit operating system use: general information
To begin with, in all kinds of forums you can find posts of uninformed users who claim that the memory can be put on the computer as much as necessary, the system recognizes it, but cannot use it. This is not entirely true. The architecture of x86 or 32 bits is such that it may not recognize a more specific limit of 4 GB.
This is due only to the principles of 32-bit systems in terms of using the available address space. But if you understand how much RAM the Windows 7 32 bit sees of various modifications, and here you can find a lot of limitations. This mainly concerns the construction of the structure of the system modifications themselves.
How many “RAMs” does Windows 7 32 bit “Initial” see?
For example, the version of Starter, which in the hierarchy of the OS of this entire family is the simplest and, so to speak, limited, is not able to work with the installed RAM strips with volumes exceeding 2 GB (although it determines the same installed 4 GB).
Moreover, as it turns out, it does not matter what standard the “RAM” itself has. Put at least DDR5 into the computer with this OS modification, anyway the result will be the same.
Restrictions on installing RAM in other versions of Windows 7 (x86)
If we talk about how much “RAM” Windows 7 32 bit sees for other versions, as is already clear from what was said with reference to all 32-bit OS, for it the maximum limit is exactly 4 GB.
Another thing is that the memory used to the maximum by system processes can be partially freed.
Why is not all memory available?
Probably, many users, viewing the data in the system properties section, which is called up through the PCM menu on the computer icon located on the "Desktop", often noticed that even with 4 GB of RAM, the available volume is significantly reduced.
On average, the loss rate is approximately 300-500 MB, and sometimes higher. Why is that? The main problem here is that RAM in Windows 7 32 bit is primarily used by system processes only, among which you can find a lot of background services and applets that are launched at system startup, not to mention automatically loaded components of user programs. Accordingly, their main modules, not to mention drivers and dynamic libraries, constantly hang in RAM, which is called dead weight. In addition, the default settings for Windows 32 bit systems regarding the use of maximum memory are system components.
How to use RAM to the maximum?
Some settings and restrictions can be circumvented quite simply. For example, even on the official Microsoft technical support resource, it is recommended to perform some simple settings, which will partially free up resources. The main solution is to disable unnecessary items in the startup section, which is located in the system configuration (msconfig).
Immediately on the download tab, you must click the button for switching to additional options and uncheck the box for using maximum memory on the right side of the dialog that appears. Some experts, as an additional measure, recommend setting the maximum number of processor cores based on the total value of threads, and for each of them set separately allocated RAM, but not less than 1024 MB for each core (thread). The maximum number of threads (not cores) will be presented in the drop-down list, which is clearly demonstrated in the image above.
Finally, you can use the services section (services.msc) and disable unnecessary applets and processes there, however, it is better not to do these things without the necessary knowledge. If you want, you can deactivate the automatic installation of updates. At least in the "seven" (unlike the same "ten"), this can be done.
Note: sometimes it is advisable to enable memory redistribution in the BIOS, but this only applies to cases where the primary system itself has and supports such a function, in fact, as the motherboard itself.
conclusions
At the moment, this is all that concerns the consideration of issues regarding how much “RAM” Windows 7 32 bit sees. Of course, there are a lot of ways to optimize memory, and only the most basic and most effective ones were given in the material above. A finer tuning of the system parameters should be done only if the user has the necessary knowledge and skills. But as safe tools you can recommend the use of special optimizer programs in which there are appropriate modules.
For example, the Advanced SystemCare application works well. It has a special built-in tool that, when activated, can monitor the status of RAM in real time and free up memory for user processes by unloading unnecessary or unused system modules and components from it. However, such a function is available only in the Pro version, and you will not find it in the free Free modification (and if you find it, it will be inactive and it will be impossible to use it).