When it comes to computer performance, one of the most critical factors is memory or RAM (Random Access Memory). A computer’s RAM plays a crucial role in its ability to process multiple tasks simultaneously.
However, in some cases, you may notice that a portion of your computer’s RAM is marked as “Hardware Reserved Memory.” This issue is common to both Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into what Hardware Reserved Memory is, why it is so high on some computers, and how you can reduce it.
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What is Hardware Reserved Memory?
Hardware Reserved Memory refers to the portion of your computer’s RAM that is reserved for hardware devices such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), sound card, network adapter, and other hardware components. This memory is set aside to ensure that these hardware components have enough memory to function correctly.
How to Check the Hardware Reserved Memory in Windows 11?
You can check the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory on your Windows 11 computer by following these steps:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the menu. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” keys to open the Task Manager directly.
- In the Task Manager window, click on the “Performance” tab.
- Click on “Memory” in the left-hand pane. Here you will see the amount of total memory installed on your system, as well as the amount of memory in use and the amount of memory available.
- Scroll down to the “Hardware Reserved” section to see how much of your installed memory is reserved for hardware devices.
That’s it! You can now see the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer using the Task Manager.
Why do I Have 2.1GB, 4GB, or 8GB of RAM Hardware Reserved?
The amount of Hardware Reserved Memory on your computer depends on the hardware components installed on your computer. If your computer has a high-end GPU, sound card, and other hardware devices, they will require more memory to function correctly. Therefore, the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory will be higher.
On some computers, you may notice that almost half of the total installed RAM is hardware reserved. For example, if you have 16GB of RAM installed on your computer, you may notice that only 8GB is available for use, with the other 8GB marked as Hardware Reserved.
Related issue: 16GB RAM Installed Only 8GB Usable in Windows 11
Why is Hardware Reserved Memory So High?
The main reason for Hardware Reserved Memory being too high is the hardware components installed on your computer. High-end GPUs and other hardware components require more memory to function correctly. Additionally, some software programs and device drivers can also contribute to high Hardware Reserved Memory.
Suggested read: Why is My Memory Usage So High When Nothing is Running?
What Impact Does Hardware Reserved Memory Have on System Performance?
The impact of Hardware Reserved Memory on system performance depends on how much memory is reserved. If a significant portion of your RAM is reserved, it can limit the amount of memory available to run applications and multitask.
This can lead to slower system performance and longer load times for applications. In extreme cases, a high amount of Hardware Reserved Memory can cause your system to run out of memory, which can result in crashes or freezes.
How to Reduce Hardware Reserved Memory in Windows 11/10?
There are several steps you can take to reduce the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory on your computer:
See also: How to Clear RAM Cache in Windows 11
Adjust the Amount of RAM Allocated to Your Integrated Graphics Card
If you have a CPU with integrated graphics, it may be using a portion of your RAM as video memory. You can adjust the amount of memory allocated to your integrated graphics card in your computer’s BIOS settings.
To adjust the amount of RAM allocated to your integrated graphics card, follow these steps:
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or Del) during startup.
- Navigate to the “Advanced” or “Chipset” settings.
- Look for an option called “Integrated Graphics Share Memory“, “Internal Graphics Memory Size” or something similar.
- Adjust the memory allocation as desired and save your changes.
Note that reducing the amount of memory allocated to your integrated graphics card can potentially impact the performance of graphics-intensive applications. Be sure to test your system thoroughly after making any changes to the BIOS settings.
Warning: Making incorrect changes in your computer’s BIOS settings can cause serious issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that you understand the changes you’re making and their potential impact on your system before adjusting any settings in the BIOS. If you’re not confident in making these changes yourself, it’s recommended that you seek the help of a professional or the manufacturer of your computer. Additionally, if you have messed up your BIOS settings by accident, you may want to try clearing the CMOS to reset the BIOS to its factory defaults.
Disable the Integrated GPU If It’s Not In Use
If your computer has a dedicated graphics card installed, you may be able to disable the integrated GPU to reduce the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory. To disable the integrated GPU, follow these steps:
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or Del) during startup.
- Navigate to the “Advanced” or “Chipset” settings.
- Look for an option called “Integrated Graphics“, “Onboard Graphics” or something similar.
- Set the “Integrated Graphics” option to “Disabled.”
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS setup.
Also see: How to Force App or Game to Use Dedicated GPU or Integrated Graphics
Note that disabling the integrated GPU may cause your system to rely solely on a dedicated graphics card, which may not be capable of handling all of your graphics needs. Before disabling the integrated GPU, be sure to verify that your dedicated graphics card is functioning properly and capable of handling all of your graphics needs. In case of
Adjust the Maximum Memory setting in the System Configuration
Windows 11/10 has a feature that allows you to adjust the maximum amount of memory that the system can use. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to Start menu and search for “msconfig“.
- Select “System Configuration” from the search result.
- In the System Configuration window that opens, click on the “Boot” tab.
- Click on “Advanced options.”
- In the Advanced Options window, check the “Maximum memory” option and set the maximum amount of memory that you want to allocate to the system.
- Click OK to save your changes and restart your computer.
Note that this setting will not affect the amount of memory reserved for hardware devices.
Disable Unnecessary Hardware Devices
As mentioned earlier, some hardware devices can reserve memory that is not necessary for their proper functioning. By disabling these devices, you can free up some of the reserved memory. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Select “Device Manager.”
- In the Device Manager window, locate the hardware device that you want to disable.
- Right-click on the device and select “Disable.”
- Repeat this process for any other unnecessary hardware devices.
Note that disabling necessary hardware devices can cause issues with your system, so be sure to only disable devices that you do not need.
Update Your Device Drivers
Outdated or faulty device drivers can sometimes cause issues with your system’s memory management. Updating your device drivers, especially graphics drivers, can sometimes help to reduce the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory.
To update your device drivers, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Start menu.
- Select “Device Manager.”
- In the Device Manager window, locate the hardware device for which you want to update the driver.
- Right-click on the device and select “Update driver.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
To Wrap Things Up
Hardware Reserved Memory can significantly impact your computer’s performance by limiting the amount of memory available to run applications and multitask. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can reduce the amount of Hardware Reserved Memory on your Windows 11/10 computer and improve its performance.
It’s essential to strike a balance between reducing Hardware Reserved Memory and ensuring that your hardware devices have enough memory to function correctly. By taking the time to optimize your computer’s memory management, you can achieve the best possible performance from your system.
