Open PowerShell and run one command to see your RAM details

The fastest way to find out what RAM you have is to open PowerShell and run a single command. PowerShell is a built-in Windows tool that lets you ask your computer detailed questions about its hardware. You do not need to install anything or restart your computer.

Right-click the Start button, select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Terminal (Admin)", then paste this command and press Enter:

Get-WmiObject Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object Manufacturer, Model, Capacity, Speed

Your RAM information will appear in a table showing the maker, model number, how much memory each stick holds (in bytes), and its speed in megahertz. If you have multiple RAM sticks, each one will show as a separate row.

Key Takeaways

  • PowerShell is a Windows tool you already have; open it as Administrator and run one command to see all RAM details.
  • The command Get-WmiObject Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object Manufacturer, Model, Capacity, Speed displays your RAM maker, model, size, and speed in one table.
  • Capacity shows in bytes, so divide by 1,073,741,824 to convert to gigabytes (GB) if the number is hard to read.
  • If you have multiple RAM sticks, each one appears as a separate line so you can see whether they match.
  • This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 without needing third-party software.

Understanding what each column in the results means

Manufacturer is the company that made the RAM — common names are Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, Crucial, and Samsung. This tells you the brand you bought or came with your computer.

Model is the specific product line or part number. This is useful if you need to buy matching RAM later or check the warranty. Write this down if you plan to upgrade, because matching the model makes installation easier.

Capacity appears as a very large number in bytes. To convert to gigabytes (the number you probably recognize), divide by 1,073,741,824. For example, 8,589,934,592 bytes equals 8 GB. Most modern computers have 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB per stick.

Speed is measured in megahertz (MHz). Common speeds are 2400, 2666, 3000, 3200, and 3600 MHz. Faster RAM can improve performance in demanding tasks, but the difference is usually small for everyday use.

What to do if PowerShell shows an error or nothing happens

If you see a red error message, the most common cause is that PowerShell is not running as Administrator. Close the window and right-click the Start button again, making sure you select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Terminal (Admin)" — the "(Admin)" part is required.

If the window opens but nothing appears after you paste the command, wait a few seconds. Sometimes the command takes a moment to run, especially on older computers. If still nothing appears after 10 seconds, try closing and reopening PowerShell as Administrator and pasting the command again.

On Windows 11, you may see "Terminal" instead of "PowerShell" in the menu. This is the same tool with a newer name, and the command works identically.

Alternative: Check RAM in Device Manager if PowerShell does not work

If you cannot get PowerShell to work, Device Manager shows how much total RAM you have, though not the model or speed. Right-click the Start button, select "Device Manager", then look for "Memory" in the list. This tells you the total capacity but not individual stick details.

For the full model and speed information, you can also open Settings, go to System, then About. This shows total RAM but again not the specific model. If you need the exact model number, PowerShell is the most reliable method.

Why knowing your RAM model matters when upgrading

If you plan to add more RAM to your computer, knowing the exact model and speed helps you buy compatible sticks. RAM from different makers or speeds can work together, but matching the model and speed prevents potential slowdowns or instability.

Before buying new RAM, also check how many slots your motherboard has and how many are already filled. You can see this by opening your computer case and counting the long vertical slots near the CPU, but PowerShell only tells you what is installed, not how many empty slots remain. If you are unsure, take a photo of the inside of your computer and bring it to a computer shop, or search your computer model online to find the motherboard specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run this command without Administrator rights?

No, the command requires Administrator access. Right-click the Start button and select the option with "(Admin)" in the name. If you do not have Administrator rights on your computer, contact whoever manages it for you.

What if my RAM shows different speeds for different sticks?

If you have multiple sticks with different speeds, they will all run at the speed of the slowest stick. This is normal and not harmful, but if you are upgrading, buying RAM that matches the speed of your existing sticks prevents this slowdown.

Does this command work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes, the command works on both. Windows 10 calls the tool "PowerShell" and Windows 11 calls it "Terminal", but they are the same tool and the command is identical.

What if the capacity number is too large to read?

Copy the number and paste it into a calculator, then divide by 1,073,741,824. Or use this simpler version of the command: Get-WmiObject Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object Manufacturer, Model, @{Name="Capacity(GB)";Expression={$_.Capacity/1GB}}, Speed. This automatically converts bytes to gigabytes.

Can I export this information to a file?

Yes. Run this command instead: Get-WmiObject Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object Manufacturer, Model, Capacity, Speed | Export-Csv -Path "C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\RAM_Info.csv" -NoTypeInformation. Replace "YourUsername" with your actual Windows username. This saves the information to a file on your desktop.