Windows 32-bit – Maximum Supported Hardware RAM

memorywindows 7

I want use 4GB of RAM. Can I use in Windows XP 32-bit? Or should I go for Windows XP – 64-bit? Does it support 4GB of RAM?

Does Windows 7 32-bit support more than 4GB of RAM, or is >4GB support only available in Windows 7 64-bit?

Best Answer

If you want to utilize the full 4GB, go for 64-bit or enable PAE. I'd recommend the first option for future expansion.

You'll also want to first make sure your chipset can support the amount of memory you're installing as well.

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Windows Memory – Enable More Than 4 GB RAM in 32-bit Windows OS

You can use PAE, but it's not nearly as good as just going 64 bit. Check this MSDN Page.

Enabling PAE

Windows automatically enables PAE if DEP is enabled on a computer that supports hardware-enabled DEP, or if the computer is configured for hot-add memory devices in memory ranges beyond 4 GB. If the computer does not support hardware-enabled DEP or is not configured for hot-add memory devices in memory ranges beyond 4 GB, PAE must be explicitly enabled.

To explicitly enable PAE, use the following BCDEdit /set command to set the pae boot entry option:
bcdedit /set [{ID}] pae ForceEnable
IF DEP is enabled, PAE cannot be disabled. Use the following BCDEdit /set commands to disable both DEP and PAE:
bcdedit /set [{ID}] nx AlwaysOff
bcdedit /set [{ID}] pae ForceDisable
Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP: To enable PAE, use the /PAE switch in the boot.ini file. To disable PAE, use the /NOPAE switch. To disable DEP, use the /EXECUTE switch.

Best Answer

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Windows Memory – Enable More Than 4 GB RAM in 32-bit Windows OS

Enabling PAE

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