As technology continues to advance, the demand for more powerful and efficient computers has increased. With the release of Windows 7, many users were excited about its enhanced features and improved performance. However, for those using the 32-bit version of the operating system, one limitation that was quickly noticed was the limited physical memory size. In this article, we will discuss the steps to increase physical memory size in Windows 7 32-bit OS.
Firstly, let's understand why the physical memory size is limited in the 32-bit version of Windows 7. The 32-bit operating system can only address a maximum of 4GB of RAM, which is divided between the system and hardware resources. This means that even if you have more than 4GB of RAM installed, the operating system will not be able to utilize it fully.
To increase the physical memory size in Windows 7 32-bit OS, you will need to make some changes in the system's BIOS settings. The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is a firmware that is responsible for the initial startup of your computer. It controls the hardware and allows the operating system to communicate with it.
To access the BIOS settings, restart your computer and press the designated key (usually F2, F10, or Del) to enter the BIOS setup. The key may vary depending on your computer's manufacturer, so make sure to check your computer's manual.
Once you enter the BIOS setup, navigate to the "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" tab using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Look for an option called "Memory Remapping" or "Memory Hole Remapping" and make sure it is enabled. This will allow the operating system to access the entire 4GB of RAM.
Next, you will need to increase the virtual memory or page file size. The virtual memory is a portion of the hard drive that is used as temporary storage when the physical memory is full. To increase the virtual memory, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on "Computer" and select "Properties."
2. In the left-hand menu, click on "Advanced system settings."
3. In the "System Properties" window, go to the "Advanced" tab and click on "Settings" under the "Performance" section.
4. In the "Performance Options" window, go to the "Advanced" tab and click on "Change" under the "Virtual memory" section.
5. Uncheck the box that says "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives."
6. Select the drive where Windows is installed and click on "Custom size."
7. Set the initial size and maximum size to a higher value (the maximum size should be at least 4GB).
8. Click on "Set" and then "OK" to save the changes.
Finally, you can also optimize your computer's performance by disabling unnecessary programs and services. To do this, go to the "Start" menu and type "msconfig" in the search bar. In the "System Configuration" window, go to the "Startup" tab and uncheck the programs that you do not need to start with Windows. You can also go to the "Services" tab and check the box that says "Hide all Microsoft services." This will prevent any essential services from being disabled.
In conclusion, by enabling memory remapping in the BIOS, increasing virtual memory, and optimizing your computer's performance, you can effectively increase the physical memory size in Windows 7 32-bit OS. This will allow your operating system to utilize the full 4GB of RAM, resulting in improved performance and smoother multitasking. However, if you require more than 4GB of RAM, it is recommended to upgrade to the 64-bit version of Windows 7.
