If you see “32-bit Operating System,” your version of Windows can only support up to 4 GB of RAM. [1] X Research source This means that even if your hardware is capable of supporting more RAM than that, Windows will only recognize 4 GB. If you see “64-bit Operating System,” your version of Windows can handle 128 GB (if using Windows 10 Home), 2 TB (Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Education), or 6 GB (Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise for Workstations). However, if your hardware only supports 32 GB and you’re running Windows 10 Pro, you cannot install more than 32 GB of RAM.

If you see “32-bit Operating System,” your version of Windows can only support up to 4 GB of RAM. [1] X Research source This means that even if your hardware is capable of supporting more RAM than that, Windows will only recognize 4 GB. If you see “64-bit Operating System,” your version of Windows can handle 128 GB (if using Windows 10 Home), 2 TB (Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Education), or 6 GB (Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise for Workstations). However, if your hardware only supports 32 GB and you’re running Windows 10 Pro, you cannot install more than 32 GB of RAM.

If you see “32-bit Operating System,” your version of Windows can only support up to 4 GB of RAM. [1] X Research source This means that even if your hardware is capable of supporting more RAM than that, Windows will only recognize 4 GB. If you see “64-bit Operating System,” your version of Windows can handle 128 GB (if using Windows 10 Home), 2 TB (Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Education), or 6 GB (Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise for Workstations). However, if your hardware only supports 32 GB and you’re running Windows 10 Pro, you cannot install more than 32 GB of RAM.

If you’re using a different computer than the one you want to upgrade, select Select computer instead so you can manually select the manufacturer and model.

You may have to click Save to start the download.

You may have to click Save to start the download.

You may have to click Save to start the download.

Your computer’s installed memory: This displays the RAM that’s in your computer now. The “slots” tell you the size of the RAM stick in each of the slots. For example, if your PC has 6 GB of RAM, you might have a 4 GB stick in the first slot, and a 2 GB stick in the second. The speed of the RAM is also listed here (e. g. , 1600). You can click the amount in each slot to see the exact model and speed of the RAM. It’ll also show you the product number of the exact RAM you have now. Your computer’s memory capability: This is where you’ll find the maximum amount of RAM your computer can handle, as well as the total amount of RAM slots in the system.

You can click the amount in each slot to see the exact model and speed of the RAM. It’ll also show you the product number of the exact RAM you have now.

You don’t have to add the maximum amount of RAM. In the example of your PC taking up to 16 GB and only having 8 GB right now, you simply replace one of your 4 GB sticks with an 8 GB stick to make 12 GB, leaving the other stick alone.

If you want to run your RAM in dual channel or triple channel mode, you will want to buy an identical pair of two of the same size and speed DDR2 or DDR3 DIMMS. If the DIMMs are different speeds from one another, they’ll only run as fast as the DIMM with the lower speed. In general, as long as your motherboard takes DIMMs, which is nearly all PCs from the 2000s and forward, you don’t have to install RAM in identically-sized pairs. [2] X Research source So, if your PC came with a 4 GB DIMM and a 2 GB DIMM (a common configuration on some Acer and Lenovo laptops) and you want to have 12 GB of RAM, you could replace the 2 GB DIMM with an 8 GB DIMM. However, you do need to make sure your DIMMs have the same number of pins. It’s generally cheaper to buy RAM online than in-store, but going to a store gives you the opportunity to speak with someone and make sure you’re getting the right thing. For standard computer use on Windows 10, 6–16 GB of RAM should be enough. If you use more advanced software for 3D modeling, consider getting up to 32 GB instead.

Wait for your computer to stop making noise before proceeding.

Wait for your computer to stop making noise before proceeding.

Wait for your computer to stop making noise before proceeding.

Wait for your computer to stop making noise before proceeding.

Unlike desktop RAM, laptop RAM doesn’t always need to be installed as a matching pair, though it does need to have consistent speed.

Click here for detailed information about opening your computer.

On a laptop, USB slots are generally on the sides of the laptop’s housing. On a desktop, you’ll usually find USB slots in the front or back of the case, or on a peripheral such as the keyboard. ReadyBoost only kicks in when the amount of RAM in your PC can’t handle the load. [3] X Research source Because of this, using ReadyBoost on a computer with more than 4 GB of RAM is not going to help you. Also, if you have a solid-state hard drive (SSD), it’s already picking up the slack due to its speed—ReadyBoost will never activate on a PC with an SSD because the SSD is much faster.

You won’t be able to use more than your computer’s maximum RAM capacity. You may have to wait a few seconds for ReadyBoost to display the flash drive’s information.

Once you unplug the USB drive, you’ll need to go back into the ReadyBoost menu to set it up as RAM if you decide to use it as RAM again.