Virtual memory is basically simulated RAM. When your computer has consumed all of it’s RAM, it will automatically shift any data to a dormant space on the hard drive. The computer sends data to the hard disk, and then back to your RAM, depending on the current memory load on the computer. Basically, increasing your virtual memory increases the amount of empty space that is set aside in the event of a RAM overflow.
Having plenty of free space on your drive is absolutely imperative for the proper functioning of your RAM and virtual memory. One can also increase their computer’s Virtual Memory performance instantly by cleaning up, and reorganizing their computer’s registry. The best way to clean and reorganize your registry is by using a registry cleaner. There are plenty of free registry cleaners available online that will do the job just fine. Aside form using a registry cleaner, you can also increase your virtual memory by following the instructions below.
Increasing Virtual Memory
- In Windows Vista
1. Click Start in the bottom left corner to access the Windows Start Menu.
2. Then click Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance and then choose System.
4. In the left pane, select Advanced system settings.
5. Next,in the Advanced tab, under where it says “Performance”, select Settings.
6. Click on the Advanced tab, and then under where it says “Virtual memory”, choose Change.
7. Click Custom to change the Initial size and Maximum size.
Don’t foprget to choose the drive you would like to increase the virtual memory with. Most of the time it is usually your C: Drive by default. You can set the maximum size and initial size after you click the Custom size check box. Remember its better to leave the Virtual memory values set to default.
- In Windows XP
1. Click Start, and then select Control Panel.
2. Then click Performance and Maintenance, then select System.
3.On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4.On the Advanced tab, under where it says “Virtual memory”, select Change.
5.Under Drive [Volume Label], select the drive that contains the file that you want to change.
6.Under Paging file size for selected drive, click on the Custom size check box. You can then enter the amount of memory you would like to reserve for Virtual memory by entering the maximum and initial size.
7. Finally click Set. When you are prompted to restart the computer, select Yes.
Note: You should choose the same values for the maximum size and initial size. This will keep your CPU from changing the paging file on a constant basis. Setting the initial and maximum size to the same value, prevents your CPU from changing the paging file randomly. So if you’ve set the value of the maximum size to 700, then the initial size value should also be set to 700. Keep in mind that the value should be at least one and a half times greater than your physical RAM. For example, ff your computer has 1GB of RAM increase the virtual memory paging file to 1.5 x 1= 1.5 GB.