Can Windows 11 Run On 4 GB RAM: Microsoft recently launched Windows 11, and as usual, there is a slight modification to the standard requirement to install the new OS on your device. Some of those requirements have raised confusion, while some are easy to understand. Among the requirements is having a dual-core CPU and at least 4GB of RAM.
The important question now is, can Windows 11 run on 4GB RAM? Is 4GB enough for Windows 11? The direct answer to this question is “NO.” Using Windows 11 on 4GB RAM is not the best option in the long term. Your device will begin to slow down once you start downloading apps, installing software, and surfing the internet.
The device won’t slow down for the first few days, but with time, you will realize that 4GB RAM is not the ideal size for Windows 11. Also, processing, loading, and running time will become very slow and frustrating. The memory utilization will increase drastically, and the only task your device can undertake is watching movies.
Can Windows 11 Run On 4 GB RAM
You Can Run Windows 11 On 4GB RAM… But There Are Issues
The device used for this experiment is an HP Pavilion machine with an 11.6-inch display. Installed in it is a 128GB SSD and 4GB of DDR4 RAM. As you would have predicted, this device is not a top-spec and is not the latest version to run Windows 11, but it is qualified for the experiment.
It features a TPM and a new version of CPU. It came default with Windows 10 but was updated to Windows 11 for the sake of this experiment. The processing power of this device is low, but Windows 11 runs perfectly on it. It handled some browsing, and some tasks were conducted using the browser.
The issue started when the device hit its RAM cap; it began to reload and started crashing programs. The memory usage exceeded 80% without launching any app/program, and opening things like “search” or files became difficult. The little space available is what other apps/programs will share.
Once you open Chrome, the percentage increases to 95%. You would surf the internet smoothly, but you can only open four tabs; opening more than that will refresh the browser. By running Windows 11 on 4GB RAM, multitasking is impossible. You can run graphics design software, but the experience will be frustrating.
The device will struggle to execute tasks and allocate resources among your programs and system processes.
Is 4GB Enough For Windows 11
As stated earlier, the answer to this question is “NO.” This is why Microsoft specified 4GB as the minimum size for Windows 11 installation. Your device will run smoothly at first but later becomes a disaster. You won’t be able to run some apps, and multitasking is a “no-go” task. DON’T TRY IT! You can only perform light tasks; any hectic task can crash or freeze your device.
How Much RAM Is Enough For Windows 11
To get maximum performance and enjoy all the benefits of Windows 11, 8GB RAM is enough, and if you have the budget, you can upgrade to 16 GB. 4GB RAM restricts you from performing some tasks, which is why it should not be an option. Chrome alone will take up to 2GB, and things will get messy when opening multiple tabs.
So, adding an extra 4GB will give you more space to perform some tasks, multitask, and open multiple tabs in your browser. Even with 8GB RAM, you will still experience some issues of program crashing and high RAM usage on some occasions. But you now have the freedom to open multiple apps simultaneously and undertake more tasks without worrying about device crashing.
Here is the interesting part: upgrading to 16GB RAM will give you the best experience on Windows 11. With 16GB RAM, you can open multiple tabs in your browser and multitask without the fear of device crash or freezing.
What You Should Do To A 4GB RAM Device
If you want to install Windows 10 on a 4B RAM device, the best thing you can do to enjoy maximum benefit is to upgrade the RAM. If you are using a laptop, first find out if your device RAM is upgradable or detach the back of your laptop and check it. Some devices feature soldered RAMs, but you are good to go if you have a SODIMM slot.
Purchase another 4 GB stick for your RAM to be up to 8 GB. An 8GB RAM will be the perfect combination for two SODIMM slots. If you don’t want to do all that, it’s better to stick with Windows 10 or upgrade to 11 at your peril. Another option is to shop for a new operating system.
Windows 11 Vs. Windows 10 RAM Consumption
Most PC users wonder if Windows 11 consumes more power than Windows 10 since it is a new version. The direct answer is “YES.” However, you should understand that Windows 11 is a more recent version, and most people don’t have it yet. However, Windows 10 has been around for years, and people have had time to optimize and fine-tune it.
However, the general knowledge is that Windows 11 takes more RAM than Windows 11.
Read: Can You Upgrade Laptop Graphics Card?
How To Use Windows 11 With 4GB RAM
At this point, you would agree that 4GB RAM is not the best option for Windows 11; however, there are things you can do to make the Windows version usable on this RAM size.
- Clear the ROM.
- Disable Bloatware and use Windows Debloater instead.
- Turn off start-up programs.
- Disable any application in the background that you are not using.
- Turn off visual effects.
- Replace the hardware; use SSD instead of HDD.
- Use the latest generation drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Are The Recommended System Requirements For Windows 11?
4GB is the minimum RAM requirement upon installation. However, for smooth performance, you need to upgrade to 8GB of RAM or choose 16GB for an incredible experience. Apart from the RAM requirement, your device must have a 64-bit processor, DirectX 12 compatible graphics, and a storage capacity of at least 64GB.
2. Can I Upgrade My Current Device With 4GB RAM To Windows 11?
You can upgrade your current device with 4GB RAM from any Windows version to Windows 11, provided it meets other installation requirements. However, you will begin to face performance-related issues such as lagging, freezing, and system crashes. You won’t be able to multitask or open multiple tabs in your browser.
3.What Issues May Arise From Running Windows 11 With 4GB RAM?
There are several issues associated with using Windows 11 on 4GB RAM. The most common is slower and more frustrating overall performance. Others include multitasking issues and being restricted to certain activities due to low space. In addition, You may also face limitations when using certain features like virtualization and gaming.
4. Do I Need A RAM Upgrade To Enjoy Windows 11?
If you currently have 4GB of RAM, the best thing to do is add another 4GB stick to make it 8 GB Upgrading to 8GB of RAM will make you enjoy the benefits of Windows 11.
5. Can I Still Use My Existing Software On Windows 11 With 4GB RAM?
Most of your existing software should be compatible with Windows 11, even if you have 4GB of RAM. However, you may experience reduced performance when running memory-intensive applications, and some advanced software or games may not work as smoothly as on systems with higher RAM capacity.
Conclusion
4GB RAM is the minimum requirement to install Windows 11, but there are better options for long-term usage. To avoid frustrations that may come from the system crash, it is better to upgrade to Windows 8 or 16.