Unusable RAM. 8GB installed (2.94BG usable)

[mmusti123]

I have 8gb RAM installed but only 2.94 is showing as usable.  I recently upgraded from 4gb to 8gb and the usable gb was 2.94 (I think) then.  Adding an extra 4gb has made no difference it would appear.  Please help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

In order for Windows to 'see and use' more than 4 GB, you have to be running a 64 bit operating system.

32 GB operating systems only support a max of 4 GB.

You can go back and clean install W10 64 bit by making W10 64 bit installation media with the media creation tool from the link below.

You will need another PC running a 64 bit operating system in order to do that.

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

You will need to reinstall all of your programs and files.

[mmusti123]

If I upgrade to windows 11 will it allow me to choose a 64 bit operating system?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

No.

You cannot do an in-place upgrade from a 32 bit to a 64 bit operating system, no matter what version of Windows you have.

You must clean install the 64 bit operating system and reinstall all of your programs and files.

If you don't want to do that, then you will have to live with your current situation.