138 responses to “How To Enable More Than 4GB Memory in Windows Vista and Windows 7”

  1. Anish K.S

    Thanks Pallab for the post.
    .-= Anish K.S´s last blog ..Installing Fennec on Nokia N810 =-.

  2. Gamer

    For people with big graphics cards 1GB or more and having issues with x64 this could be the answer. Having a card with 1GB of Video RAM and still being able to utilize their full 4GB of system RAM. Benchmarking seems to show no performance issues to. 😀

  3. Fabry

    the link to patch Windows Vista is broken, you fix it? thanks

  4. Tallahassee

    Thank you very much for this post. The patch works great for Windows 7, very stable. I have 8 gigs of ram and was only registering 3 gigs of it before the patch.

  5. Windows 7 a 32 bit e gli irraggiungibili 4Gb di memoria « Arsenio punto Net

    […] A questo punto mi son chiesto se qualche hacker non avesse trovato il modo di patchare il kernel ed infatti interrogando google con le parole "windows patch 4Gb" ho trovato quel che cercavo (Windows 7 RTM 7600 4Gb patch, che potete scaricare dai link in fondo alla pagina da cui ho preso spunto). […]

  6. mxc

    How can i do rollback of trhis patch.
    I have BSOD’s every 10 mins!

  7. jeffn0506

    hi all :
    i also am in the same boat , i have 7 and have down loaded the patch , i went from showing 4gb to showing 6gb and i have 8 installed, how do i know if the other 2gb or ram are working ?, so far all is well except the above…any replys would be appreiciated,,

  8. jeffn0506

    Hi All:
    well all is well under the hood here , many thanks for the tip !
    now does anyone have any views on what to do with the paging file now that the ram has changed?. with 6bg of ram what are some suggestions to make min & max ?, and is it benificial to use a flash drive to put the pagging file on if no other hard drive is available?

  9. remy

    make your paging file 1 and 1/2 x the size of your ram. so for example if u have 4gb ram make paging file 6gb..

  10. jeffn0506

    thank you for the reply , shall the ppaging file be on the same drive as the os or a high speed usb flash
    the total memory installed is 6gb , so should i use 6gb for the min and
    9 gb for the max, ??

  11. Rabbi

    I have 4GB RAM so i got the Windows 7 64bit version instead.

  12. Hue C.M

    Hi there,

    The link for windows 7 32 bit is no longer available. Can anyone post me the link? or better still email the file?.

    Thanks & regards,
    hue

    1. MichaelP

      Hue C.M, I am looking for the same W7-32Bit file. If you get it from somewhere could you either send me the link or email me the content.
      Thanks

  13. jeffn0506

    when someone finds the link i would be interested in it as well as i didnt save it ,,
    thank you ,

    jeffn0506

  14. Robert Wilkinson

    if someone will send this to me the patches I will post on my server for download

  15. fcuk

    i have downloaded this file before…here is the link of the file —>> http://rapidshare.com/files/402638958/4GB-7600.RTM.x86.04.08.2009.exe.html

    hope to help you guys out…

  16. jeff

    the rapid share link gave me (3) trojans
    thanks pal .

  17. sourojit

    Thanks mate. It worked perfectly fine for me..

  18. Oltre 3 gb di ram con Win 7 32 bit, fino a 128 gb | Forum -X- NextHardware

    […] […]

  19. david

    Hi, I have done the steps, downloaded the file and everything. but after checking the resource monitor and system properties, it still says 3.0GB usable ram.
    help..

  20. dsad

    thanks

  21. CW

    Mine is still only showing 2.87GB ram available (4 installed) ! 🙁
    What’s wrong with the patch?

  22. Noah Vail

    Confirm Success with Windows 7 Pro 32 bit (ver 6.1.7600 after patch).

    No issues, the patch went smoothly. I show 4GB out of 4GB RAM available to the system.

    I’ll note that my mainboard has a Intel Broadwater i946GZ Chipset.
    The 946 series is a slightly later model than the 945GM/E/PM Calistoga Chipsets.
    All of the 945 series chipsets will not address above 3GB Ram – Period.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_chipsets

    Thanks for the boost!

    NV

  23. CW

    Can anyone please tell me how to find out what chipset I have? I am wondering if that is why it won’t work.

    Intel Pentium 4 Processor 530J

  24. Rohit Langde

    Thanks a Lot Pallab, Eventhough McAfee detected it as PUP, I went ahead.
    Worked perfectly and shows watermark on Homescreen as “Test Mode” though.

  25. Andy Dickens

    When I tried the Win 7 patch on my 32 bit Enterprise version, I got only blue screens on boot and had to revert to the unpatched version. Could this be due to BitLocker being enabled?

  26. golden boy

    Win7 build 6.1.7600.16617 with 4GbRAM installed. The patch was successfully installed, but system still just recognize 3Gb instead 4 Gb.

    Is this patch only work on Win7 build 6.1.7600.16539 ?

    1. Debug

      This patch adds a old kernel ver 6.1.7600.16397 and patches nothing. My system version is 6.1.7600.16617 – fails on boot.

      I think there’s instruction on how to modify the offsets and patch properly.

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  28. Joel

    I am using win 7 32bit but the patch doesnt launch as a window although the process is running

  29. Adharrsh

    Hi,
    I The patch was successfully installed, after the startup there was this at the right bottom end of the desktop – “TEST MODE , Windows 7, Build 7600”.( I hope this is the watermark that was mentioned.I did type mcbuilder.exe in the Start Menu and press Enter. But the new display did not vanish. Is this normal? Or how to fix this.

    1. 8 gb
  30. AndyJ

    I have run this Windows 7 patch and it has worked flawlessly for several weeks. If I needed to, is there any way to uninstall this patch?

  31. CW

    Still not working. “string not found” is what I get when I use the patch. Still only using 2.87gb ram, when there is 4GB installed!

  32. Adharrsh

    Hi,
    I The patch was successfully installed, after the startup there was this at the right bottom end of the desktop – “TEST MODE , Windows 7, Build 7600?.( I hope this is the watermark that was mentioned.I did type mcbuilder.exe in the Start Menu and press Enter. But the new display did not vanish. Is this normal? Or how to fix this.

    Somebody Plz reply.

  33. Patrick

    Doesn’t work…When I try to patch it says:

    “Cannot access the file, maybe it’s in use…
    Please close the file before patching!”

  34. Dodge Neon SRT4

    I have downloaded the patch. What should i do after i downloaded the Patch? I am bit confusing.

  35. Kaqaniku

    do not belive stupid man not workin!
    instal Windows 7 x64 bit

  36. Kaqaniku

    don download this program, its not realy, before patching read in the rusian language,
    after reboot your PC have 2 boot, i am traying before 5 month

  37. used tires

    Seems strange that the smart people at Microsoft won’t release a patch to allow for the 4gb, but maybe they know something more than us?

    -Jean

  38. Jak_Karter

    The “PATCH” it’s working just fine, i used this “PATCH” in 3 computers Desktop for 1 year end 4 months all three computers have installed Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bits !!!

    1. Step 1, before starting installation disable antivirus software from your computer in all four categories:Antivirus Protection,Antispyware Protection,Personal Firewall,Antispam Protection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    2. Make sure you have turned off Windows Firewall on all 3 areas, go in this route:
    Start/Control Panel/Windows Firewall/AdvancedSettings,all 3 areas must be stopped:
    – Domain Profile—->Windows Firewall is off!
    – Private Profile—->Windows Firewall is off!
    – Public Profile—->Windows Firewall is off!

    Now, just follow step by step what was written in the article above!!!!!!!!!!!!

  39. Mahmoud

    i would like to thank you very much
    after install the patch on Win 7 32 bit i found total RAM usable is 4 GR totaly
    now i have all ram worked as below

    Total RAM : 4 GB all usable
    Installed RAM : 4 GB
    Available RAM : 2 GB

    Thanks Again

  40. yowan

    For eveyone; this is just a PAE extension patch designed to allow the system to allocate more RAM to applications which ONLY support PAE. Microsoft confirmed(via SF) that this patch is actually useless. It will obviously make the system detect all the RAM but that is useless since it will still be unusable althought all RAM is detected. Messing with the kernel might cuase BSODs like BC3B and BC7F. Just use X64 versions of windows to avoid any issues with this.

    1. brian

      You have no idea what your talking about. Instead of posting useless information please read up or at least attend a pre school and learn the very basics of computer usage.

      1. Yowan

        Do don’t even seem to understand the internals of Win NT, you should go back to pre-school. Ask any MVP and or any qualified MS pro and you’ll get your answer

  41. kekstier

    worked for me, didnt even get the watersign

  42. Daniel

    This patch worked like a charm for me!! I went from 3GB usable to 3.75GB usable and I do notice a difference with performance in general! Also, for those who need to run “mcbuilder.exe”, open a command prompt (right-click and ‘run as administrator’ for elevated permissions) and type mcbuilder.exe to get rid of the watermark.

  43. Yowan

    Seriously whats all the hype with that obsolete 32-bit OS? If anyone has a decent PC with at least 4GB x64 OS is the way to go. These incompatibilities are no longer a problem since all manufacturers offer 64-bit drivers. Even 99.9% of all software works in x64

    1. Igor

      It’s very simple dude…if you have a pc with 4GB of RAM and you have a CPU that is not 64bit compatible, like lets say Centrino Duo on Lenovo T60 laptop, then you definitely need this since you can’t use 64bit OS.
      Is it clear now for you? Or you are going to say now “buy a laptop with 64bit CPU and install 64bit Windows” ???

      1. Yowan

        I clearly mentioned ‘decent PC’. Outdated computers won’t obviously support new technologies

  44. Printing solutions

    I have window Vista at the moment, i hate it soooo much! I want to turn it into window xp is that possible? I have a window Xp disk that i bought a while back. My question is: Is is it possible to reformat window vista to Window XP.Thanks a lot.

    1. Yowan

      You won’t gain any huge benefits from XP since it is obsolete. Remember that it is a decade old OS that is in extended support, i.e you won’t get any more features from MS for XP. Just add more RAM to your computer, it will make vista faster

      1. Reydotexe

        y the heck do people still use XP!

  45. Bassdude

    I figure whether it works or not for some people, and it makes sense that what he has said is pretty crystal clear.

    Reading helps for issues.
    Realistically, the simple fact that someone has tried to help others deserves a pat on the back.

    I think it indicates quite clearly “If in doubt, don’t” – basically.
    🙂

  46. sell textbooks

    I didn’t realize you could do this . thanks for theinfo this helps out a lot.

  47. gogus buyutucu

    worked for me, didnt even get the watersign 😉

  48. TLM

    I’ve attempted this several times, using msconfig to delete the new one before trying again. I try to boot from the new one, but my screen remains black and the computer restarts. The only way I’ve been able to make this work is by entering safe mode for the patched version. Which is pointless. Any ideas on how to fix this? Email me at twisted _ sktr @ yahoo . com

    1. Yowan

      This patch is very risky and can damage your OS, your solution is to use 64-bit

      1. Igor

        Windows does not recognise all of the installed ram in the 64 bit version either. i have 6GB installed, but i can only use 3.21GB

        does anyone know how to fix this in the 64 bit version?

        1. Yowan

          This is probably because of on-board GPUs such as Intel GMA Graphics or AMD/Nvidia Mobility GPUs which ‘share’ memory with your main RAM. If you have ‘Memory Remap'(features which overlaps PCI memory over RAM) in your BIOS you should enable it

          What Graphics card you have?

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  50. shota

    On Windows 7 Ultimate x32-bit System it does work perfectly.
    I got 5.00GB(RAM) now 😉

  51. salinski

    is this patch compatible with sp1?

  52. Isa Mujahid

    Nice post…. its on now… i’ll add 2 more Gbs…. hehe
    Working perfectly fine now…4GBs

  53. butisac

    hy, please help me.
    i have myself the same problem, 1 have instaled in my pc 4 gb, but my pc only shows me 3 gb.

    i try to use this patch, and many others. in this patch, i get the message ,,Can not fint the file.Search the file?” i click yes, i find th file myself C:\Windows\System32\ntkrnlpa.exe and after, when i do it says ,, Can not acces file.Maybe it’s in use … Please close the file before patching. Try to acces the file again ? ” what should i do ? please help me .

    i have vista 32 bit Home Premium , my pc it;s a fujitsu siemens

  54. butisac

    i forget to say, that i did stoped windows firewall and my antivirus, please help

  55. hg2051

    I ran the software.When prompted to choose the operating system, I chose “vista…(>128 gb)”.
    But it didn’t start, because of a missing “PSHED.dll”.
    I tried to repair the startup with the original DVD-same problem;
    I tried, from the prompt, “bootrec.exe /fixmbr”
    Upon a new attempt to start, I was stopped by an error at the kernel (ntkrnl…);
    So I turned back at the original OS (fortunately, not damged).
    Could you give me an explanation and a solution?
    Thanks.

  56. Ozzyosborne680

    LOL Work fine and only took 2 mins to set up (just waiting to find that someone has hijacked my computer now lol)

    thanks for the info (as long as no one finds my card details that is ) 🙂

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  58. 33ovi

    thanks a milion man it show 5 gb from 5 gb installed~!!!!!

    1. arben

      thanks so mutch

  59. 33ovi

    damn whater mark did not disapear (i tried mcbuilder.exe)

    1. W1n5t0n

      The solution is to open CMD, as an administator, type in “mcbuilder.exe” hit enter, and reboot. It worked for me after that! Hope this helps you out.

  60. DDS

    I no longer use a 32bit edition, but I did use 32bit edition in the past with all 4GB RAM visible without problems.

    Try this patch:
    http://wj32.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/pae-patch-updated-for-windows-7-sp1/

    It also removes the need to run in test mode.

    However, it does not work for everyone, mainly due to buggy drivers.

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  62. Alper

    hi. i cant patch kernel. its error messages

    “can not access the file.maybe it’s in use…

    please close the file before patching! try to access the file again now?”

    help me please..

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  64. traian

    Is not working with Windows 7 ultimate edition. I try three times and nothing.

    1. flap

      u can try this one, it worked 4 me

      http://www.2shared.com/file/akDISJ-6/PatchPae.html

    2. Mikeo

      worked like a dream on my Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit. Rebooting showed all my 8gb of ram available.

  65. Martin

    Hi.

    How can i remove the patch?

    Thanks

    Martin

  66. Yordi

    Hi, i’ll try to use the Windows Vista patch but I received alway the follow message: cannot acces the file. Maybe it’s in use… Please close the file before patching! Try to access the file again now?
    I’ll have try diffent ways to make it work like: Turn of UAC, safe mode,…
    Does someone have a sollution? 🙂
    Many thanks!!

  67. Enea

    lasciate perdere questo articolo il processore a 32 bit non può usare più di 3 gb di ram quindi anche se usate questa patch windows vedrà che ci sono più di 4 gb di ram installati ma ne userà comunque 3 perchè l’archittettura a 32 bit non supporta più di 3 gb di ram.

  68. Mikeo

    I’ve been running the patch overnight, and it really feels like the windows processes are taking longer, based on the spinning blue wheel. Explorer gave me a blue wheel just to open a new instance. Really strange since there’s more memory available now.

  69. Craig

    The information given here is very interesting and useful and I would like to try using the patch. However, I would like to know if the Win 7 patch can be used on Win 7 Ultimate with SP1?

  70. purchase settlements

    thanks for the info. I was having trouble with this wehn I wanted to upgrade but not have to but a whole new system

  71. Josh

    Wow this is REALLY cool!
    I’m glad to learn that Window’s 3gb limit for 32-bit systems is only an artificial one. -.-

  72. Nike1600

    How can i remove it ? plzzzzzzzzzzzz telllllllllll

    1. Tomas

      Yes pls tell how remove it? coz on some games after this patch my fps are very very low.

  73. hg2051

    Never did, neither will, trust russian (patches).

  74. jafar

    hi
    i download not
    please for upload me because
    I internet is limit
    thank you

  75. Riza

    Hello!
    Can you make patch for Windows 8 32bit?

    1. Pedro Augusto

      Não consegui instalar no Windows 8 Build 9200 —–

  76. biplab dansena

    can i use it on windows xp 32 bit system

    1. Mike

      You can install on windows 7 first, then reinstall win xp deleting windows 7, and it will still work
      .But if you reinstall windows 7 you will have to run the patch again.
      You can’t install within windows xp.

      1. Mike

        I’m really pleased with this patch,no problems at all applying it, but I did make a backup of my system before using the patch. Also it’s a good idea to run “msconfig” and reduce the boot timeout to 3 seconds, so as to skip the delay in boot options that the patch creates.
        I had a problem after installing a game where my memory was only showing 450mb and the computer was very slow after I uninstalled the game.
        In the boot, advanced, window of “msconfig” I was able to reset the memory to the full 8gb. Don’t know if this was caused by the game or the patch, but it hasn’t happened since. It’s great to be able to burn 12 dvd’s in succession without having to reboot the computer now that I can access all my ram.

  77. purchase settlements

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  79. Loppree

    Thanx a lot men, it works great on Win7. It shows 16GB. And my problems with video reendering out of memory errors are gone. 🙂

  80. keny

    fucking lovely, thanks russia!

  81. Mike

    You can do the same with W8 and W7 with this GENIUS bootkit (better than this way)
    Go ahead make your day I DID IT :

    http://www.itsec.it/2012/08/06/x86-4gb-memory-limit-from-a-technical-perspective/#comment-3836

  82. ppc professionals

    nice I didn’t know there was a fix for that.

  83. Sony Goraya

    hmmmm great method i will try it 🙂

  84. Doug

    Installed the patch on my DELL Windows 7 and it worked like a charm. It now addresses most of the 12 gig. I can load several program at once which I do with 3 screens with plenty of memory left over. Before I was using upwards of 80% of my available memory.

  85. manuel

    will this not work for 7 64 bit ???

    1. yowanvista

      Seriously? 64-bit versions of Windows 7 can address up to 192GB of RAM

      1. manuel

        well mine says only 3.12 usble out of 6.00 gb my max is 8 gb on a foxconn gm3302

        1. yowanvista

          It’s because your board has the GMA 3100 integrated graphics which is using part of your RAM as shared video memory and chipset limitation. From what I’ve seen this board with the default BIOS can only address up to 4GB of RAM. This has nothing to do with Windows, the issue is your BIOS.

          Your board uses the G33 Chipset which technically supports up to 8GB but Dell used (I assume you’ve got a Dell because they’re among the few using that board) a BIOS which limits the max RAM to 4GB. Moreover Dell states that each memory slot on that board can hold DDR2 PC2-5300,DDR2 PC2-6400 modules with a maximum of 1GB per slot.

          Basically only 4GB can be ‘seen’ by this BIOS revision. Check if there’s a BIOS updates that allows the full RAM to be addressed.

          1. manuel

            I have a evga nvida geforce 440 1 gb video card runs smooth as is but just though it would be better with the full 6 gb of ram I Been playing bf3 lately and it get laggy every now and than I think is my ram though idk

          2. manuel

            O and there is a gm33 1a and 2b motherboard one is 4 gb Max other is 8gb Max its not 4gb Max I have no I don’t have a dell got the motherboard from eBay and built my desktop from ground up spent close to 450 on everything just saying

      2. Frank Lucas

        This is for 32bit to access all of your ram as Win 7 32bit will not give you all 4GBs of ram or however much you have, it only uses 3. This lets you use waaay more it’s a fantastic program with noticeable differences

  86. Romy Jee

    Will This Work On Win Xp 32 bit…

    1. yowanvista

      No it won’t. Moreover XP is 10 years+ old. Upgrade to at least Windows 7 64-bit.

  87. yowanvista

    @manuel, adding more RAM does NOT increase performance, it will only allow the system to run more apps at the same time. The GT440 is a low end card, you can do almost nothing to improve its performance. That system of yours needs to be replaced if you want better performance.

    BF3 is more GPU intensive, it will require a midrange card like the 660Ti/AMD equivalent and a decent processor from the Intel i3/i5/i7 series for best results. You can’t expect it to run at nice fps with such a dated system.

    1. manuel

      I mean it runs fine I’m thinking about upgrading the gpu but idk I wanted a basic gaming PC for under or around 500 that I can build but as far I know it runs fine I got 28 to 35 fps on bf3 lately which is fine with me I would have to find a gpu that’s a gddr5 that’s the only that I know would fit in the mobo

      1. yowanvista

        A better GPU wouldn’t really improve performance since you’ll have a huge bottleneck especially with your current LGA775 processor which is dated.

        1. Frank Lucas

          You are wrong on both comments. I am a first hand account of both of these enabling me to game better. I couldn’t play COD Black Ops without enabling the 4GB Ram unlock without it being choppy and I’m on a Dell XPS 720 with dual nVidia 8800 GTX’s, only use one now as the other went out and I’m about to upgrade to the latest. Every time my PC starts now it automatically enables the 4GB-Ram, I wouldn’t run my PC without it, been doing this for 4 years now. A better GPU will definitely improve performance, I have never heard someone say the opposite, it’s like switching from Black tinted windows on your car to clear windows, you can finally see better. Or switching from a stock air intake to a modified cold air intake, you get a bit of performance out of it and the engine runs better.

    2. manuel

      http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-2668-KR is the one I like that’s a 660 series lol my wife likes this one as well but she have a 9800gtx + in her desktop she doesn’t do much gaming though lol

  88. Alessio

    How uninstall the patch?

    1. yowanvista

      System Restore

      1. Alessio

        I turned off the system restore. Any other ideas? Pleaseee…

        1. yowanvista

          Try SFC or a Repair Install.

  89. manuel

    @ yowanvista just want to let u know I figured out how to unlock my full 6gb of ram my computer runs a lot faster and smoother had to update BIOS and remove ram don’t know why just seen it on Google search thought I would do it and it worked

  90. FerociousRAM

    This worked with Win7 Pro 32-Bit [Version 6.1.7601]…! =)

  91. MIke

    If you are looking for some STABLE and SAFE way for W7 AND W8 use the bootkit from saferbytes here
    http://www.saferbytes.it/2013/02/28/saferbytes-x86-memory-bootkit-new-updated-build-is-out/

  92. André Gomes

    Hi there,

    I tried this solution but my laptop doesn’t boot with that patch on.
    Any idea ?

    The laptop goes all black and doesn’t boot at all..

    please send me an email helping me.

  93. Mark D

    Not working for me on 2 Vista32sp2 machines (different architectures). Use the Vista OS boot disk to get to cmd prompt, and copy backup file to original, in c:\windows\system32.
    When booting OS CD it will detect bad shutdown and offer recovery, so press cancel soonest, and then menu will appear to select cmd prompt

  94. Al

    For me it doesnt work unless I uninstall the driver for the Intel 4000 graphics card. I guess it’s a problem with sharing the memory between the system and the graphics.

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  96. MKM

    LINKS ARE DEAD

  97. Mike

    Dude Use your fingers, google “saferbytes 4GB” and you will find santa