How to Increase Virtual Memory RAM on PC & Laptop

What is virtual memory?

Virtual memory is a memory management technique used by operating systems to extend the available RAM (Random Access Memory) beyond physical limitations. Here’s how it works:

  1. Physical RAM: Your computer has a certain amount of physical RAM (e.g., 8GB, 16GB). This RAM is fast but limited in size.
  2. Page File (Swap File): When your RAM is fully utilized, the operating system uses a portion of your hard drive (usually a file called the page file or swap file) as additional memory. This virtual memory acts as an extension of your RAM.
  3. Page Swapping: When an application needs more memory than the available RAM, the OS swaps out less-used data from RAM to the page file. It then loads the required data into RAM. This process is called paging.
  4. Performance Impact: While virtual memory allows multitasking and prevents system crashes due to low memory, it’s slower than physical RAM. Accessing data from the page file takes more time because hard drives are slower than RAM.
  5. Customizing Virtual Memory: You can adjust the size of the page file (virtual memory) manually. Larger page files allow more multitasking but may slow down your system if your hard drive is slow. Smaller page files conserve space but may lead to performance issues if RAM is insufficient.

Remember that managing virtual memory involves balancing system performance and available storage space.

Virtual Memory

How to Increase Virtual Memory on Windows 10 / 11

To increase virtual memory on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.

Setting-Increase Virtual Memory

Step 2: Click System > About.

About-Increase Virtual Memory

Step 3: Scroll down to the Related Links section and click Advanced system settings.

Advanced system settings-Increase Virtual Memory

Step 4: In the Advanced tab of the System Properties window, click Settings in the Performance group.

System Properties-Increase Virtual Memory

Step 5: In the Performance Options window, click Advanced > Change.

Advanced _ Change-Increase Virtual Memory

Step 6: Uncheck the box next to Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.

Automatically manage paging file size for all drives

Step 7: Select the drive you want to manage.

drive you want to manage

Step 8: Click Custom size and set the initial size (reserved space) and maximum size (limit it can grow to) for virtual memory (in MB).

Initial Size Ram × 1.5
Maximum Size Ram × 3.0
For 4 GB RAMInitial Size Ram = 4 × 1024 × 1.5 = 6144
Maximum Size Ram = 4 × 1024 × 3.0 = 12288
For 8 GB RAMInitial Size Ram = 8 × 1024 × 1.5 = 12288
Maximum Size Ram = 8 × 1024 × 3.0 = 24576
For 16 GB RAMInitial Size Ram = 16 × 1024 × 1.5 = 24576
Maximum Size Ram = 16 × 1024 × 3.0 = 49152
For 32 GB RAMInitial Size Ram = 32 × 1024 × 1.5 = 49152
Maximum Size Ram = 32 × 1024 × 3.0 = 98304
drive you want to manage (2)

Step 9: Click Set > OK to confirm and restart the system.

Set _ OK to confirm and restart the system

How does virtual memory affect gaming?

Virtual memory doesn’t directly impact gaming performance or FPS. Let me explain:

  1. What Is Virtual Memory?: Virtual memory is like an extra space added to your system’s main memory (RAM) when needed. It’s an illusion that extends RAM by using part of your hard drive as additional memory.
  2. Compatibility: Virtual memory helps your system be compatible with some games. If your RAM is insufficient for a game, virtual memory can assist by providing extra space.
  3. Performance: However, virtual memory doesn’t boost performance or FPS. It’s not true RAM; it’s a pseudo-memory. When RAM is low, virtual memory transfers data between RAM and storage, making things smoother.
  4. VRAM Matters More: For gaming, focus on VRAM (Video RAM) instead. VRAM directly impacts graphics quality and load times. Modern games demand higher VRAM for detailed visuals and immersion.

In summary, virtual memory ensures compatibility but won’t significantly enhance gaming performance. Invest in sufficient RAM and VRAM for better gaming experiences.

Are there any risks in changing the paging file size?

 Adjusting the paging file (virtual memory) size can impact system performance and stability. Here are some considerations:

  1. Insufficient Space: If you set a very small paging file size, your system may run out of virtual memory during resource-intensive tasks, leading to crashes or slowdowns.
  2. Fragmentation: Frequent resizing of the paging file can cause fragmentation, affecting read/write performance. It’s best to set a fixed size if possible.
  3. Storage Wear: Constant read/write operations on the paging file can wear out SSDs faster. HDDs are less affected, but still consider wear and tear.
  4. Page Faults: If the paging file is too small, you’ll experience more page faults (data retrieval from the disk), slowing down your system.
  5. RAM vs. Paging File: Increasing virtual memory doesn’t replace physical RAM. It’s a safety net when RAM is exhausted.

Recommendation:

  • Set a reasonable initial and maximum size for the paging file (e.g., 1.5x to 3x your RAM size).
  • Monitor system performance after changes to ensure stability.

Feel free to ask if you need further assistance.

How does increasing virtual memory affect performance?

Increasing virtual memory can impact performance in several ways:

  1. Performance Boost:
    • When your RAM is fully utilized, the operating system uses the paging file (virtual memory) to store data that doesn’t fit in RAM.
    • Increasing virtual memory provides more space for this overflow data, preventing slowdowns due to insufficient RAM.
  2. Slower access times:
    • Virtual memory resides on your storage drive (HDD or SSD), which is slower than RAM.
    • Accessing data from virtual memory takes more time, leading to performance degradation compared to RAM.
  3. Page Faults:
    • Page faults occur when the OS needs to retrieve data from virtual memory.
    • Frequent page faults can slow down your system significantly.
  4. Fragmentation:
    • Resizing the paging file can cause fragmentation, affecting read/write performance.
    • Set a fixed size to minimize fragmentation.
  5. Storage Wear (for SSDs):
    • Constant read/write operations on the paging file can wear out SSDs faster.
    • HDDs are less affected by this.
  6. Balancing Act:
    • Adjust virtual memory based on your system’s needs and available resources.
    • Monitor performance after changes to ensure stability.

Remember that virtual memory is a safety net when RAM is exhausted, but it’s not a substitute for physical RAM.

Can I disable the paging file altogether?

While it’s technically possible to disable the paging file (virtual memory) altogether, I recommend against it. Here’s why:

  1. System Stability:
    • Windows relies on virtual memory for essential system processes and applications.
    • Disabling it could lead to instability, crashes, or unexpected behavior.
  2. Low RAM Scenarios:
    • If your RAM is fully utilized, the paging file acts as a safety net.
    • Without it, your system might run out of memory, causing issues.
  3. Applications Expect It:
    • Some applications assume the presence of a paging file.
    • Disabling it might cause compatibility problems.
  4. Hibernation:
    • If you use hibernation, the paging file is necessary.
    • Disabling it would prevent hibernation.

Recommendation:

  • Instead of disabling, consider adjusting the paging file size:
    • Set a fixed size (initial and maximum) based on your system’s needs.
    • Monitor performance to ensure stability.

Remember, virtual memory complements physical RAM—it’s not a replacement.

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Last Update: June 16, 2024