Windows 10 32-Bit 8GB Installed RAM, 5.1 GB Hardware Reserved?

haydnoneill

Reputable
Oct 17, 2015
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Let me give you a bit of background:

Before today, I had 2x2GB (4GB) installed RAM on my laptop, but it only showed 2.7 GB usable.
Today, I upgraded to 2x4GB (8GB) installed RAM, but it still shows only 2.7-2.9 GB usable.

I've tried Run -> MSCONFIG -> Boot -> Advanced -> Uncheck max memory, with no success.

On task manager it shows over 5GB of RAM being 'hardware reserved'. Someone please help and ask if you need any more details.
 
Solution
the maximum amount of memory usable by a 32-bit OS is 3.2GB and if your laptop does not have a separate video card it uses some of the 3.2GB as video memory.

The only way to use all your memory is to upgrade to a 64-bit OS.