How Much RAM Does Windows 11 Use? (2024)

  • Home
  • News
  • Is 4GB/8GB/16GB RAM Enough for Windows 11?

By Linda | Follow | Last Updated

How much RAM does Windows 11 use? Is 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM enough for Windows 11? This post from MiniTool Partition Wizard will give the answer.

Windows 11 RAM Requirements

Windows 11 requires at least 4GB RAM. If your PC doesn’t meet this requirement, the Windows 11 installation will fail. Of course, you can also bypass this requirement and install Windows 11 on a PC having no more than 4GB RAM. You can refer to this post: Can Win11 Run on 2GB RAM & How to Install Windows 11 on 2GB RAM?

However, if you do this, you should be prepared for Windows 11 to freeze or crash at any time.

How Much RAM Does Windows 11 Use?

4GB is the Windows 11 RAM usage recommended by Microsoft. However, the pure Windows 11 system may only need 3GB to run. The remaining 1GB RAM can be used to do some simple jobs like browsing the web, emailing, and editing documents.

However, if you have Google Chrome running with a few tabs open, or you try to do something like serious photo editing, Windows 11 may freeze or crash.

Is 4GB RAM enough for Windows 11?

As mentioned above, 4GB RAM only allows Windows 11 to do some simple jobs. The memory usage in Task Manager will be pinned at over 80% even if no program is running. Even opening things like Search, or taking a screenshot/snip, can make it jump over to 90% usage. If possible, add the RAM.

Is 8GB RAM enough for Windows 11?

If you plan on using your PC for lightweight applications like browsers, MS Office, and Spotify, 8GB is more than enough for Windows 11. But if you want to run some productive software, 8GB is not enough.

Is 16GB RAM enough for Windows 11?

In most cases, 16GB RAM is enough for Windows 11. According to some users, on a 16GB system, the Windows 11 RAM usage is 4-5GB. While on a 32GB system, it reaches 7-8GB. When Photoshop is used, it reaches 8-9GB. When all apps that you need are installed, the Windows 11 RAM usage reaches easily 8-12GB.

16GB RAM can deal with many cases. However, if you want to do some special jobs like streaming AAA games at good enough quality, 32GB RAM is recommended.

Tips:

How much RAM you need also depends on what apps you are running and how many apps you are running.

Why Does Windows 11 Use More RAM than Windows 10?

The reason is that Windows 11 includes a lot of new features and programs that require more memory to run. For example, the Widgets tab in Windows 11. It is constantly updating to keep you in the loop, but this requires a fair amount of RAM to run.

If you don’t like these features, you can remove them by following the guide in this post: How to Debloat Windows 11 for Better Performance.

How to Reduce Windows 11 RAM Usage

If your RAM usage is very high, you can uninstall some programs or try the methods in this post: How to Fix Windows 11 High Memory Usage? Here Are Easy Fixes.

Bottom Line

MiniTool Partition Wizard is a functional tool. It can recover data from hard drive, migrate OS, clone disk, recover partitions, etc. If you have this need, download it to have a try.

MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

About The Author

How Much RAM Does Windows 11 Use? (1)

Position: Columnist

Linda has been working as an editor at MiniTool for 5 years. She is always curious about computer knowledge and learns it crazily. Her articles are simple and easy to understand. Even people who do not understand computer can gain something. By the way, her special focuses are disk management, data recovery and PDF editing.

How Much RAM Does Windows 11 Use? (2024)

FAQs

How Much RAM Does Windows 11 Use? ›

Memory: 4 GB or greater. Processor: Two or more virtual processors. The VM host processor must also meet Windows 11 processor requirements. There may be some instances where this requirement for the VM host doesn't apply.

Does Windows 11 use a lot of RAM? ›

Windows 11 is very resource hungry and Windows itself can use 3.5GB - 4GB of RAM just for the operating system alone, 8GB of RAM is the minimum required on a Windows 11 PC.

Is 8GB RAM sufficient for Windows 11? ›

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 will run efficiently on 8GB of RAM. However, Windows 11 offers a more modern interface, improved performance, and advanced features. If your hardware supports it, opting for Windows 11 offers a better user experience with its updated design and functionality.

Is 16GB RAM OK for Windows 11? ›

Windows 11, Edge, and even Windows laptop keyboards all have a connection to AI. But will using all these AI features require new or more powerful hardware? A recent report states that at least 16GB of memory will be required for Copilot and AI features.

Is 10 GB RAM enough for Windows 11? ›

Windows 10 RAM . According to Microsoft, you only need a minimum of 4GB of RAM for Windows 11. So 8GB of RAM should be more than enough to install Windows 11.

Is 4 GB RAM enough for Windows 11? ›

It is the absolutely minimum required RAM, so you can get Windows 11 install, but if you are going to run apps and other stuff, 4gb will run slow for sure. It is not ideal for performance. Even 8gb will run on the slower side.

How many GB of RAM do I need for Windows 11? ›

RAM: 4 GB. If your PC has less than 4GB of memory, there are sometimes options for upgrading to get additional RAM. You may want to consult your PC manufacturer's website or with a retailer to see if there are easy and affordable options to meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11.

Do I need 8 or 16 GB RAM? ›

It's an excellent starting point for modern computing. This is why you'll find many laptops and desktop at ebuyer with 8GB of RAM. However, for more demanding tasks like video editing, high-end gaming, and running multiple resource-intensive programs simultaneously, upgrading to 16GB of RAM is preferable.

How much RAM will Windows 12 need? ›

Windows 12 require minimum 8 GB of ram and possibly still same 64 GB disk space, while SSD is becoming a mandatory.

Is 16GB RAM enough for a laptop? ›

For basic web browsing and document creation, 4GB or 8GB is usually sufficient. For tasks such as photo editing and streaming media, however, 16GB of RAM may be necessary. For gaming or video editing applications, even higher amounts of RAM (e.g., 32GB) may be needed to ensure optimal performance.

Is 32GB RAM enough for a laptop? ›

How much RAM do you need? Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators.

How do I know if I need more RAM for Windows 11? ›

Three signs you need more memory in your computer

If your files don't open immediately and programs are slow to load, you get an error message or are unable to load several programs at once, your computer may need more memory.

What is more important in a laptop, processor or RAM? ›

The Power of the Processor

By getting a more powerful processor, you can help your computer think and work faster. This alone may be enough to optimize the power of the RAM you already have and help you maximize your investment in any new RAM you do add.

Does Windows 11 use too much RAM? ›

Yes, Windows 11 uses more RAM than earlier versions of Windows. This is because Windows 11 includes a lot of new features and programs that require more memory to run. On average, Windows 11 uses about 4 GB of RAM.

Which Windows uses less RAM 10 or 11? ›

Conclusion. In conclusion, Windows 11 uses more RAM than Windows 10, but this is due to its increased functionality and features. While this can lead to improved performance, it can also put a strain on a computer's resources.

Can you have too much RAM? ›

Having too much RAM won't necessarily hurt your computer. But it is generally considered to be a bad purchasing decision, because having much more RAM than you actually use won't speed up your computer. Having too much RAM is more of a waste of money, because the excess RAM isn't being used.

Does Windows 11 compress RAM? ›

The memory compression allows your device to run smoothly using a limited amount of RAM. The more data stored in the physical memory drives into a fast-running system with great performance. This function is enabled by default in Windows 11. You are able to make any modifications to these settings.

Does Windows 11 slow down a computer? ›

Though Windows 11 brings a whole new design haul along with some improved features, some users are experiencing Windows 11 slow performance after installing it. Windows 11 has grown into a mature operating system since October 5, 2021 and it takes over 26.52% of Windows market share worldwide (by StatCounter).

Does Windows 11 Pro use more RAM than Home? ›

Windows 11 Pro can also handle a maximum of 2TB RAM, compared to 128GB on Windows 11 Home.

Top Articles
Making Money By Sitting On Your Hands - 10 Situations When Not To Trade -
34 Ways to Make Extra Money
NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration hiring NOAA Commissioned Officer: Inter-Service Transfer in Spokane Valley, WA | LinkedIn
Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program Review [Previously Total Rewards]
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools Educational Audiology Externship in Kansas City, KS for KCK public Schools
Wizard Build Season 28
Is Sportsurge Safe and Legal in 2024? Any Alternatives?
Craigslist Kennewick Pasco Richland
Midway Antique Mall Consignor Access
83600 Block Of 11Th Street East Palmdale Ca
Voyeuragency
Hartland Liquidation Oconomowoc
Classic Lotto Payout Calculator
Committees Of Correspondence | Encyclopedia.com
Harem In Another World F95
Roof Top Snipers Unblocked
Craigslist Toy Hauler For Sale By Owner
Jbf Wichita Falls
Crawlers List Chicago
Busted Campbell County
Winco Employee Handbook 2022
Holiday Gift Bearer In Egypt
Panola County Busted Newspaper
Does Hunter Schafer Have A Dick
Skycurve Replacement Mat
Greensboro sit-in (1960) | History, Summary, Impact, & Facts
Sessional Dates U Of T
Rek Funerals
Truvy Back Office Login
Cfv Mychart
Annapolis Md Craigslist
Tomb Of The Mask Unblocked Games World
Vadoc Gtlvisitme App
Lawrence Ks Police Scanner
Blush Bootcamp Olathe
Greater Orangeburg
Ofw Pinoy Channel Su
RUB MASSAGE AUSTIN
Metro By T Mobile Sign In
Waffle House Gift Card Cvs
Gpa Calculator Georgia Tech
Omaha Steaks Lava Cake Microwave Instructions
2023 Fantasy Football Draft Guide: Rankings, cheat sheets and analysis
Bill Manser Net Worth
Courtney Roberson Rob Dyrdek
Swoop Amazon S3
FedEx Authorized ShipCenter - Edouard Pack And Ship at Cape Coral, FL - 2301 Del Prado Blvd Ste 690 33990
Best Suv In 2010
How to Connect Jabra Earbuds to an iPhone | Decortweaks
Espn Top 300 Non Ppr
6463896344
What Time Do Papa John's Pizza Close
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5940

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.