Optimize Windows Virtual Memory Settings

Windows uses a "paging file" to handle it\’s virtual memory, which in a nutshell is simply temporary information stored on the hard drive. Because this file has the potential (by Windows default settings) to be growing and shrinking in size, it can be become fragmented and lower performance. By making your page file a constant size, you can prevent it from becoming fragmented which could boost your computer\’s performance.

Here is how to do it:

Right click My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Settings (in the Performance box) > Advanced > Change.
Select the option for No Paging File and then confirm your changes.
Run a defrag on your hard drive (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter).
Reboot.
Open the Virtual Memory settings (step 1).
Select the option to manually set the size and enter the recommended value Windows suggests for both your minimum and maximum size.
Confirm your changes.

Now Windows will be working with a constant size file which will not become fragmented. After applying these steps, do not expect your computer to be significantly faster as this does boost efficiency, but the changes may not be immediately noticeable.

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:

http://ebcianfranicomcast.net ernest cianfrani
hey it was right on thank you for your help
http://www.atravelnews.com rocio
If you have enough memory you can disable your page file at all. It will increase performance more then defrag them.
Larry Miller
WARNING: BAD ADVICE
By default Windows sets the initial size of the pagefile to 1.5 times the size of physical memory or 2GB, whichever is less. But this is with the assumption that the pagefile is allowed to grow if this is needed. If this is prevented, as the author suggests, you risk severe performance degradation or a system crash. The default settings prevent this.
A better way to prevent pagefile resizing is to increase the initial size so that it will never (or rarely) be necessary. When this is done you have a fixed pagefile for all practical purposes. Always set the maximum size to at least twice the initial size. This gives a safety net in case you guess wrong about the initial size. After a reboot (or sooner) t pagefile will revert to it;s initial unfragmented state. There is no reason not avail yourself of this safety net.
Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA
Runaway1956
Actually – the BEST WAY to avoid paging file problems, is to INSTALL MEMORY!!! OEM’s are guilty of cutting corners on memory, to get the lowest priced machines, and Microsoft allows them to get away with it. This is all based on ill thought out “minimum ram” recommendations. Windows XP should have had a MINIMUM of 512 MB with 1 GB recommended for normal home use, 2 GB for power users. Windows Vista and Windows 7 should have a 2 GB recommended for normal home use, and 4 GB for power users.
Now that you have enough memory installed, install Windows and allow it to set default virtual memory sizes. Go into the settings, look at the minimum recommended size for the swap file, and double that for the minimum, use the same number for the maximum.
Let’s get past the niggardly OEM’s trying to save a couple dollars, thereby selling substandard machines, and the swap file becomes a much less important consideration for most users. Special cases will arise, of course – that’s what the IT guy is for.
Runaway1956
Apologies – I posted before stipulating that I was only talking about 32 bit systems. With 64 bit systems – simply double the numbers for MINIMUM RECOMMENDED MEMORY on any given machine. Selling any 64 bit machine with less than 4 GB of memory is reprehensible. 4 GB should be minimum for the home user who will never use his machine for anything more intensive than editing a few family photos. 8 GB should be minimum for power users of 64 bit machines.
jon doe
WOW… I have a ram monitior/OPTIMIZER and I did as “stated” above and I could not optimize my system more than 512mb with only 1GB of PC2700 ddr2 sdram plus 128mb including my Gforce AGP 3D graphics card. I set my min and max @ 2000 each and was able to optimize @ 92% while running progs in the backround!! But I do recomend you defrag!!
Soldier1st
Even if you add more memory the hard drive will still be used just not as much so it’s better to keep the safety net so just incase, and setting it to the same size might reduce pagefile fragmentation it will limit the pagefiles growth so if it does need to grow then a static size will prevent it, if you ask me it would be best to either leave it at default or set it to system managed.
ajay
I originally had 256 MB DDR and I upgraded the ram to 512 MB (256 MB + 512 MB =768 MB). When I installed window XP sp2 after installation XP system reboot automatically and showing a virtual memory error message. Can you resolve the problem any one.
http://ocforums.com cw823
to Larry Miller.
BAD ADVICE.
I realize you took a boot camp and passed a test, but the original author’s suggestion was spot-on for x86 systems.
1) Set to no paging file
2) Reboot
3) Defrag
4) Manually set minimum and maximum page file size to 1.5x system memory (ie 2Gb of RAM would be 3000Mb min/max page file (3072 to be exact)).
5) Discard Larry’s post.
The main reason for this is to halt fragmentation in the page file, which Larry’s method would actually cause as the page file shrinks and grows. Bad bad idea.
Thanks Larry, you’ve proven Microsoft MCSA is nothing more than a worthless piece of paper (which I knew already)