Two of the most popular Windows editions are Windows 7 and Windows 10. Windows 7 and Windows 10 have a similar user interface but the color scheme and design is quite different. In this article, I will explain if Windows 10 uses more RAM than Windows 7.
Windows 10 uses more RAM than Windows 7. When idle, Windows 10 utilizes 2.54GB of RAM. Whereas, Windows 7 only utilizes 1.20GB of RAM when idle. Windows 10 uses around 50% more RAM compared to Windows 7.
- How much RAM is needed Windows 7 vs Windows 10
- Is Windows 7 lighter than Windows 10
- Is Windows 10 more CPU intensive than Windows 7
Let’s go!
How Much RAM is Needed for Windows 7 vs Windows 10?
In general, 4GB provides a good user experience for Windows 7. Whereas, 8GB provides a good user experience for Windows 10. Less than that, and a computer will be noticeably slow. But, definitely still usable.
This is based on numerous studies and independent tests. Such as the one I conducted and wrote about in this article about if 16GB is enough for Windows 11. To compare Windows 7 to Windows 10, here’s a table that shows how much on average of the RAM and the CPU each edition of Windows uses:
| Version of Windows | Percent of the CPU, and amount of RAM when idle |
| Windows XP | 853.0MB of RAM, and 0% of the processor |
| Windows Vista | 1.GB of RAM, and 1% of the processor |
| Windows 7 | 1.20GB of RAM, and 0% of the processor |
| Windows 8 | 2.20GB of RAM, and 4% of the processor |
| Windows 10 | 2.54GB of RAM, and 10% of the processor |
| Windows 11 | 2.77GB of RAM, and 12% of the processor |
Windows 7 provides a good balance between light CPU and RAM usage, as well as, compatibility and the look of the user interface.
But, if you have 8GB of RAM or more then Windows 10 is the best option. Almost everyone agrees the user interface is more modern and better looking.
However, interestingly, Windows 11 uses almost exactly the same resources as Windows 10, and is on average a few percent faster than Windows 10.
Windows 11 has a better looking user interface still. So, Windows 11 is the best option provided you have 8GB or more.
I compared the resource use and speed of Windows 10 and Windows 11 in this article about whether Windows 11 is slower than Windows 10. It includes testing data for the different tasks done on a computer.
Such as:
- Starting up
- Opening a web browser
- Installing a program
If you have less than 8GB of RAM then typically Windows 7 is the best option because it’s faster. But, many computer with 4GB of RAM run Windows 10. Even, though it is a little bit slower.
Here’s the data comparing the speed of Windows 7 to Windows 10:
| Computer process | How much faster or slower Windows 7 is compared to Windows 10 |
| Starting up (booting up) | 9.08% faster |
| Opening a Internet Explorer | -647.08% slower |
| Opening Google Chrome | 40.00% faster |
| Opening Firefox | -9.72% slower |
| Installing a program | 51.06% faster |
| Opening File Explorer | 84.85% faster |
| Shutting down | 50.40% faster |
| Average | 37.61% faster |
One issue with older versions of Windows is that they can sometimes not be compatible with certain programs. Especially, newer ones. However, on average Windows 7 supports all of the most popular programs, apps, and games.
For example, here’s a table that shows which of the most popular games can be run on Windows 7:
| Game title | Can it be installed on Windows 7 |
| Dota 2 | Yes |
| Starcraft 2 | Yes |
| Minecraft | Yes, but have to buy the Java edition |
| World of Warcraft | Yes, 64 bit Windows 7 only |
| League of Legends | Yes |
| Fortnite | Yes |
| Overwatch | Yes, 64 bit Windows 7 only |
| Counter Strike | Yes |
| CS: GO | Yes |
| Grand Theft Auto | Yes, 64 bit Windows 7 only |
Is Windows 7 Lighter Than Windows 10?
Windows 7 is lighter than Windows 10. Here’s a table that shows how they compare for processor (CPU) usage, and RAM usage when idle:
| Percent of the CPU utilized and when idle | Amount of RAM utilized when idle | |
| Windows 7 | 0% of the processor | 1.20 GB |
| Windows 10 | 10% of the processor | 2.54 GB |
Windows 10 also requires more hard drive space than Windows 7.
- Windows 7 needs 16 GB of hard drive space
- Windows 10 need 32 GB of hard drive space
Typically, however, PCs tend to have more than enough hard drive space. So, the main considerations generally are how much RAM you have, and how fast your CPU is. Intel is one of the most popular CPUs manufacturers. They make the Intel i-series of processors.
The way Intel names their CPUs makes it easy to determine how fast an Intel CPU is. In general, any below a 4th generation Intel processor should run Windows 7. Whereas, any generation after that should run Windows 11.
I covered everything you need to know about that in this article about what version of Windows is best for the Intel i5.
Is Windows 10 More CPU Intensive than Windows 7?
The amount of the CPU that is being utilized can be viewed in the Windows Task Manager. It will generally stay flat lined but then spike and stay at 100% or close to it when a program is opened. But, here is if Windows 10 utilized more of the CPU compared to Windows 7.
Windows 10 is more CPU intensive than Windows 7. Independent tests have shown that Windows 7 utilizes about 0% of the CPU when idle. Whereas, Windows 10 utilizes 12% of the CPU when idle.
As a result, Windows 7 leaves more of the CPU available that can be utilized by programs. In practice, making programs open and run faster. However, Windows 10 won’t be noticeably slow unless you have less than 4GB of RAM.