Guide for Windows Operating System

[James Willium]

I have asus laptop with 4GB DDR2 RAM now I have decided to change my windows OS because previous OS(windows 7 ultimate 64 bit) was consuming a lot of RAM.Please suggest a Windows Operating System which use less ram and support all Applications.

 

[jwk3]

Windows 7 is pretty RAM efficient, so if you find you're running out of RAM (if it's regularly getting 80%+) then a RAM upgrade may be better than changing the software. for 99% of users 4GB RAM for Windows 7 is fine. If however you definitely want to go down the OS change route you can try Windows 8.1, which uses less RAM than 7 and supports the major modern software packages.

 

[Shaun o]

Laptop are like every other computer in respect to how you use them.
They don`t look after them self, that is down to you as the user.

I have common complaints from people who by a laptop and months down the line complain it is getting slower and using more memory.

It`s a common misconception, but the user is most common the fault of it.
What people do not realize is the amount of software that they install for example that is set to load and auto run after windows has loaded impacts the amount of free ram left.

Because each of those programs requires a chunk of system memory.
Its like hoovering your floor to get rid of the bits that deposit on it to keep it clean and in good condition. If you don`t do it, it ends up messy.

The quickest thing to free ram up is to stream line what auto loads after windows.
Or wishes too.

You can do this by typing in the search box on windows 7 Msconfig and pressing enter.
In the windows that opens is a tab called start up.

In the list is a set number of programs to auto run and load after windows.
If the list is long simply un tick the selected programs.
Click apply and on the next restart memory usage will be less with more free memory. In that way only memory is taken up when you wish to run a program.
Instead of loads already hogging it that you have no need to run. Because they are set to auto run.

The second is to limit the amount of system memory the graphics solution of the laptop can use. And in some laptops this can be set in the bios on how much it can use of the overall system memory or the 4gb you have.

I often hear the well buy more ram is the solution, but after a time the user is left with the same problem.
And the point above are why.

A computer or laptop only does what you tell it to.
It does not think hang on I`ll hoover myself because i`m a bit messy and cluttered up.

50% of the time when looking at a laptop I find it`s the case when people say I have less free ram.

 

[Lee-m]

I have a bunch of desktops deployed at my work that are win 7 with 2gb of ram, they work brilliantly, no ram issues. I guess it depends what your doing with it I guess.

As far as alternative windows OS's, you dont have much of a choice. Its windows 7 or windows 8.1. XP is about to run out of support.

 

[James Willium]

Laptop are like every other computer in respect to how you use them.
They don`t look after them self, that is down to you as the user.

I have common complaints from people who by a laptop and months down the line complain it is getting slower and using more memory.

It`s a common misconception, but the user is most common the fault of it.
What people do not realize is the amount of software that they install for example that is set to load and auto run after windows has loaded impacts the amount of free ram left.

Because each of those programs requires a chunk of system memory.
Its like hoovering your floor to get rid of the bits that deposit on it to keep it clean and in good condition. If you don`t do it, it ends up messy.

The quickest thing to free ram up is to stream line what auto loads after windows.
Or wishes too.

You can do this by typing in the search box on windows 7 Msconfig and pressing enter.
In the windows that opens is a tab called start up.

In the list is a set number of programs to auto run and load after windows.
If the list is long simply un tick the selected programs.
Click apply and on the next restart memory usage will be less with more free memory. In that way only memory is taken up when you wish to run a program.
Instead of loads already hogging it that you have no need to run. Because they are set to auto run.

The second is to limit the amount of system memory the graphics solution of the laptop can use. And in some laptops this can be set in the bios on how much it can use of the overall system memory or the 4gb you have.

I often hear the well buy more ram is the solution, but after a time the user is left with the same problem.
And the point above are why.

A computer or laptop only does what you tell it to.
It does not think hang on I`ll hoover myself because i`m a bit messy and cluttered up.

Is windows 8.1 good for gaming??

 

[Shaun o]

Slightly better than windows 7 for gaming.
Some people say it is some people say I don`t see it from windows 7.
The other thing to get over is the Metro interface of windows 8.

You love it or hate it, and if you buy it then there is a learning curve using it.
My point is though even if windows 8 uses less memory to run.
Or by adding extra ram, its still down to the user on how much ram is used.
By keeping the laptop stream lined and clean by stopping thing like programs auto running that are practically not needed to run by the user.

And that is why I pointed out to you the amount of programs when you install them are set to auto run after windows has loaded.

The same would happen in windows 8 for example, taking up chunks of system memory.

If your happy with windows 7 then just do a few stream lines to free up memory.

 

[photonboy]

Windows 7 vs Windows 8:

First of all, I strongly recommend leaving things the way they are. GAMING is basically identical.

Aside from the new interface, and minor other things there's little difference.

RAM USAGE:
Probably said above but Windows is SUPPOSED to use most of that 4GB. It's called "intelligent buffering" so that the fast System RAM contains data you may need such as launching a particular program. If you start a game it can clear up space automatically so there's no issues.

With 4GB I've never seen a need on multiple computers to modify anything to make the PC run better.

SUMMARY:
*Long story short, I think it's a waste of money to "upgrade" to Windows 8 from Windows 7, and again GAMES will be basically identical.

There's a lot better ways to spend $100. For a laptop, that could mean replacing the HDD with an SSHD (Hybrid Drive) though I wouldn't bother myself.