Did you know that Windows basically splits your RAM into RAM for apps and RAM for the kernel/system? Using bcdedit we can change the settings
IMPORTANT: The following only applies to 32-bit users, not to 64-bit users. If you do not know the difference please stop here and do not attempt any of the tips below unless you are keen on learning and don’t care about crashing your system
32-bit Windows is a little limited because you can’t use 4GB RAM without some tweaks. We previously explained how to use 4GB RAM on that version here:
Instructions on Unlocking More Than 2GB Ram on Windows 7 32-bit (May Work on Windows 8)
By default, Windows 32-bit uses a maximum of 2GB RAM for any single application even if you unlocked 4GB as explained above. However, you can change that by editing the boot loader using bcdedit. This is a common fix that can also help to fix games such as The Witcher 2 and Battlefield 3 who may use more than 2GB of RAM at certain times.
1. Step Open an elevated command prompt
2. Step Enter the following command
bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVA 3072
3. Step Reboot your PC.
4. Step You can confirm this by entering bdedit again and checking all values.
5. Step If you decide that this messes up your system RAM usage too much you can delete the option by entering:
bcdedit /deletevalue IncreaseUserVa
We haven’t tested it on Windows 8 32-bit, but it should work
If you run into any problems, you are welcome to ask us any questions below
It says “The Boot Configuration data store could not be opened. Access is denied.”
Dakota, did you open the command prompt with elevated rights as an admin? If not follow the link in step 1!! If that does not help search our site for “bootrec.exe” and learn how to rebuild the boot manager using the switch /rebuild
Hello I just attempted this on my Vista 32bit OS and I have not had any problems with games just making sure this is a ok workaround for Vista or will it cause problems later i do have 4GB installed.
I have vista home edition 32bit and 4GB Ram
Ihave trouble with Ghost Warrior Siberian Strike
The game keeps crashing It might start for 2minutes then crash
then again it won’t start at all.
I’ve followed the instructions to use bcdedit rebooted confirmed all ok
But the game keeps crashing I deleted the value rebooted, but same problem.
C.R.A.S.H.I.N.G—–Please can you help. I love this game.
Thanking you
Kind regarda John McLean
I’m using Windows 8 64-bit, I once used the command ” bcdedit /set increaseuserva 2500 ” to make one of my game work. But turned out it messed up my laptop performance. I tried the ” bcdedit /deletevalue increaseuserva ” then restarted my laptop, It worked at first, but when I shutdown and turn it on again, my laptop performance went downhill again. any suggestion ?