13/12/2017
One of the most common questions I’m asked here at RicksDailyTips is how much RAM a particular version of Windows will support.
After receiving another such question this morning, I thought it might be worthwhile to put that info in a blog post. Just scroll through the list below until you find your Windows version.
Note: This list only includes the Windows versions that the typical user would have installed on his/her PC.
The various Server and Embedded editions have been omitted for the sake of clarity and readability.
Memory Limits for the various versions of Windows 10:
Windows 10 Home – 128 GB
Windows 10 Professional – 2TB
Windows 10 Enterprise – 2TB
All 32 bit versions of Windows 10 – 4GB
Memory Limits for the various versions of Windows 8.1:
Windows 8.1 RT – 4GB
Windows 8.1 – 128GB
Windows 8.1 Pro – 512GB
Windows 8.1 Enterprise – 512GB
All 32 bit versions of Windows 8.1 – 4GB
Memory Limits for the various versions of Windows 8:
Windows 8 – 128GB
Windows 8 Pro –512 GB
Windows 8 Enterprise – 512GB
All 32 but versions of Windows 8 – 4GB
Memory Limits for the various versions of Windows 7:
Windows 7 Starter Edition – 2GB (Note: there is no 64 bit version of Win 7 Starter Edition)
Windows 7 Home Basic – 8GB
Windows 7 Home Premium – 16GB
Windows 7 Pro – 192GB
Windows 7 Enterprise – 192GB
Windows 7 Ultimate – 192GB
All 32 bit version of Windows 7 Except Win 7 Starter Edition – 4GB
Memory Limits for the various versions of Windows Vista:
Windows Vista Starter Edition – 1GB (Note: there is no 64 bit version of Win Vista Starter Edition)
Windows Vista Home Basic – 8GB
Windows Vista Home Premium – 16GB
Windows Vista Business – 128GB
Windows Vista Enterprise – 128GB
Windows Vista Ultimate – 128GB
All 32 bit version of Windows Vista Except Win Vista Starter Edition – 4GB
Memory Limits for the various versions of Windows XP:
Windows XP Starter Edition – 512MB (Note: there is no 64 bit version of Win XP Starter Edition)
All 32 bit versions of Windows XP (except Win XP Starter): 4GB
All 64 bit versions of Windows XP: 128GB
Note: Although each version of Windows has its own limit on the amount of RAM it will support, so do the many CPU/motherboard combinations found in PCs both old and new.
Therefore, just because your particular Windows version supports a certain amount of RAM, your computer’s CPU/motherboard might support more or less than that amount.
Bonus tip: This post explains how to quickly find out how much RAM your computer’s motherboard can use.