To check how much RAM you have in Windows 11, right-click Start, select Settings, then go to System > About. The amount of installed RAM is listed under Device specifications. You can also press Windows key + Pause to jump straight to that page.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on October 7, 2026.
What the RAM number tells you
RAM (random access memory) is the short-term working memory your PC uses for the apps, browser tabs and files that are open right now. It is not the same as storage, which is the drive space that keeps your files when the PC is off. When RAM runs short, Windows and your apps slow down, so the amount installed is one of the first things to check before you buy software, install a game or plan an upgrade.
Windows 11 needs at least 4 GB of RAM, and Microsoft notes that some apps need more than the Windows minimum. Knowing your own number lets you compare it with an app’s requirements.
Check your RAM in Settings
This is the fastest route and it works on every Windows 11 PC. It shows the total amount of memory installed.
- Right-click Start and select Settings, or press Windows key + I. The Settings window opens.
- Select System.
- Select About. The page opens with your device name at the top and the model name below it.
- Find the Device specifications section. It lists the processor, the amount of RAM installed, and the System type (Windows 11 is 64-bit only).
- Read the RAM line. The figure is shown in gigabytes (GB), for example 16 GB.
Microsoft documents this path in Find information about your Windows device. The same page also shows your Windows edition and version under Windows specifications. For the rest of your hardware, see our guide on how to check your PC specs in Windows 11.
See how much memory is in use with Task Manager
Settings tells you how much RAM is installed. Task Manager, which Microsoft describes as a system monitor that shows performance and resource consumption, tells you how much of it is being used at this moment. Use it when the PC feels slow.
- Right-click Start and select Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Task Manager opens.
- Switch to the performance view and choose the memory entry. A live graph of memory use appears.
- Compare the total at the top with the amount in use. If the in-use figure stays close to the total during normal work, your PC is short on memory for what you are doing.
Get a hardware summary with System Information
System Information is a built-in utility that gives a full view of your hardware, system components and software environment. It is useful when you want the memory figure together with other details, for example to send to a support technician.
- Press Windows key + R. The Run dialog box opens.
- Type msinfo32 and press Enter. You can also open Start, type System Information and select it from the results.
- In the summary that opens, look for the physical memory lines. They show the installed amount and how much is currently available.
Microsoft lists this tool, Task Manager and Settings together in System configuration tools in Windows.
Check each memory module with PowerShell
RAM is fitted as one or more modules (often called sticks). Settings shows only the total. If you plan an upgrade, you need to know how many modules there are and how large each one is. One PowerShell command lists them.
- Open the Start menu, type Windows PowerShell, select Windows PowerShell, then select Open. A command window opens.
- Type Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemory on one line and press Enter.
- Read the results. Windows prints one block of properties for each memory module, so two blocks means two modules.
These are the properties worth reading, as defined in Microsoft’s Win32_PhysicalMemory reference:
| Property | What it means |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Size of that module in bytes. Divide by 1,073,741,824 to get GB. |
| DeviceLocator | Label of the socket that holds the module. |
| BankLabel | The labeled bank where the module sits, such as Bank 0. |
| ConfiguredClockSpeed | The configured clock speed in MHz, or 0 if the speed is unknown. |
| Manufacturer and PartNumber | Who made the module and its part number, which you can look up on the maker’s site. |
| FormFactor | The module shape: 8 means DIMM (the desktop size) and 12 means SODIMM (the smaller laptop size). |
Worked example: a Capacity of 8589934592 is 8 GB. If the command prints two modules with that value, the PC has 2 x 8 GB, or 16 GB in total, which should match the figure in Settings.
If you only want a quick text summary, type systeminfo in the same window and press Enter. Microsoft documents that this command displays hardware properties such as RAM, along with operating system details.
Which method should you use?
| Method | What you learn | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Total RAM installed | A quick answer, or checking an app’s requirements |
| Task Manager | Total RAM and how much is in use now | Finding out whether a slow PC is running out of memory |
| System Information | Installed and available memory with other hardware details | Sharing your specifications with support |
| PowerShell | Size, slot, speed and part number of each module | Planning an upgrade |
Confirm the number is right
Add up the Capacity values from PowerShell and compare the total with Settings. The two should agree. If you bought the PC with a stated amount of memory, the same figure should also appear on the manufacturer’s specification page for your model. Checking RAM this way only reads information, so there is nothing to undo.
Troubleshooting
Windows shows less memory than is installed
A small gap between installed and usable memory is expected. Microsoft explains in its memory limits documentation that devices such as graphics hardware have to map part of the memory address space for their own use, so that part is not available to apps. PCs with built-in graphics usually show the largest gap.
The total is much lower than you expected
Run the PowerShell command and count the modules. If one you fitted is missing from the list, Windows is not detecting it. Shut the PC down and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reseating memory, or contact the seller if the PC is new.
You can’t find the About page
Press Windows key + Pause. Microsoft’s keyboard shortcut list confirms this opens Settings at System > About. Laptops without a Pause key can use Windows key + I and then select System > About.
A wmic command from an older guide doesn’t work
Many older guides use the WMIC tool to read memory details. Microsoft has removed WMIC from Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, and it cannot be added back. Use the PowerShell command above instead; it reads the same information.
A value is blank or 0
Windows can only show what the hardware reports. ConfiguredClockSpeed, for example, is 0 when the speed is unknown. Look up the part number on the maker’s site for the missing detail.
A tool is blocked on a work or school PC
Organizations can restrict Settings pages, PowerShell and other tools. If one method is blocked, try another from this guide, or ask your IT administrator for the specification.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does Windows 11 need?
The minimum is 4 GB, according to Microsoft’s Windows 11 specifications. Microsoft adds that some apps have requirements above the Windows minimum, so check the requirements of the software you use.
What is the most RAM Windows 11 can use?
It depends on the edition. Microsoft lists 128 GB for Windows 11 Home, 2 TB for Pro and Education, and 6 TB for Pro for Workstations and Enterprise. Your PC’s motherboard normally has a lower limit of its own, so check the manufacturer’s specification before buying memory.
Is RAM the same as storage?
No. RAM is working memory that is cleared when the PC turns off. Storage is the drive that holds your files and apps. To check storage, right-click Start, select Settings, then System > Storage.
Does Windows 11 come in a 32-bit version?
No. Windows 11 is 64-bit only, so the memory ceiling of older 32-bit Windows does not apply to it.
How do I find out whether my RAM is DDR4 or DDR5?
The amount of RAM and the type of RAM are separate checks. Follow our guide on how to check what DDR RAM you have in Windows 11 before you buy an upgrade, because the generations are not interchangeable.
How can I free up memory without buying more?
Close apps and browser tabs you aren’t using. To stop apps from loading when you sign in, open Settings, select Apps > Startup and set the ones you don’t need to Off. Our guide on changing startup programs in Windows 11 walks through it.
Now that you know how much RAM your PC has, compare it with the requirements of the apps you rely on. If you decide to add more, check the module type and the number of free slots first.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.