Buzz
There are two types of memory in a computer. Physical memory refers to the storage capacity of the hard drive, which determines how many files your computer can store. Random Access Memory (RAM) mainly dictates the processing speed of your computer. Both types of memory can be easily checked, whether on a PC or a Mac.
Steps
Check Hard Drive Memory on Windows
It's important to know that physical memory refers to storage space on your computer. Physical memory stores music, images, files, etc. (similar to a USB or external hard drive). RAM, however, is a key factor in your computer's performance.
- There are two types of memory: physical memory and Random Access Memory (RAM). If you're concerned about storage space, you should check physical memory. If speed is your concern, then check your RAM.
Navigate to the "Computer" section in the window. Click on the Start button located at the bottom left corner of the screen. Then, select "Computer."
On the left side of the page, click on the hard drive you wish to check. Look for the "Windows (C:)" drive on the screen. This is the most commonly used hard drive (though you can check all drives if you prefer). The hard drive icon is a gray rectangle.
- If you don't see any drives, click the small triangle next to the "Computer" title.
Look at the details panel at the bottom of the window to see available space. You will see a line reading "____ GB free of ____ GB" (remaining GB out of total GB).
Open Windows Explorer and check the "Properties" of each drive. If you're unable to follow the steps above, here's another way to check your memory. In Windows Explorer, right-click on the (C:) drive and select "Properties." The total capacity and used memory will be displayed. You can check multiple drives if needed.
Check RAM on Windows
Click the "Start" button at the bottom left of the screen. You need to find "Windows Explorer" – the window for organizing files. Alternatively, you can open the program by clicking on "My Computer."
Search for the keyword "Computer" in the left sidebar. On the left sidebar of the screen, you will find the option "This PC" or "Computer." Right-click on it and choose "Properties" from the list of actions.
- The screen will now display the "Installed Memory (RAM):" content, which refers to the computer's Random Access Memory (RAM).
- The higher the RAM, the faster your computer will run.
Alternatively, open the "Control Panel" from the Start Menu and check under "System and Security". After navigating through "Control Panel" → "System and Security" → "System," the RAM capacity will be displayed. This option is labeled "Installed Memory."
Check Memory on a Mac Computer
Open Finder and locate the hard drive. Typically, the hard drive will be labeled as "Hard drive." However, it may also be listed as the (C:) drive.
Hold the Control key and click on the drive, then select "Get Info". If the drive is already highlighted, you can simply press Command + I (uppercase "i") to open the info window.
Check the size and available space on the drive. After opening the info window, the disk space will be displayed in gigabytes (GB). This is the storage available for files like music, images, and documents.
Check RAM on a Mac Computer
Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner. Random Access Memory (RAM) represents the memory allocated for quick tasks on your computer and is directly related to your computer's processing speed. Checking RAM on a Mac is straightforward.
Click on "About This Mac". The computer's specifications, including used memory and RAM, will appear. If RAM is not immediately visible, click on "More Information" to locate it. RAM is measured in GB, typically ranging from 4GB to 16GB.
Warning
- When you click on a hard drive, you will gain access to the files on your computer. Do not alter these files.
