title: Dynamic memory allocation in KVM
body: <p>I have Ubuntu 16.04 host over which I installed a Virtual guest (Windows server 2012) using KVM. The total RAM available is 16 GB.</p>
  <p>I have installed virtio balloon drivers. I have allocated 4GB current memory and 12GB maximum memory to the windows. However the windows sees 8GB unallocated memory as used memory.</p>
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/lmzoZ.png" alt="Memory usage in Guest" /></p>
  <p>When I open some heavy applications the memory assigned is limited to the available memory from 4GB. The computer behaves in the same manner when full memory is being utilized in the windows (does not run smoothly).</p>
  <p>The windows can see all the 12 GB RAM but can only utilize 4 GB.
  How do I ensure that windows can utilize all off the 12GB of memory?</p>