When your computer is running low on random access memory (RAM) and more is needed to complete your current task, Windows uses hard drive space to simulate system RAM. In Windows, this is known as virtual memory, and often called the page file. The default size of the virtual memory page file (appropriately named pagefile.sys) created during installation is 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your computer.
You can optimize virtual memory use by dividing the space between multiple drives and by removing it from slower or heavily accessed drives. To best optimize your virtual memory space, divide it across as many physical hard drives as possible. When selecting drives, keep the following guidelines in mind:
You can optimize virtual memory use by dividing the space between multiple drives and by removing it from slower or heavily accessed drives. To best optimize your virtual memory space, divide it across as many physical hard drives as possible. When selecting drives, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Try to avoid having a page file on the same drive as the system files.
- Do not place multiple pagefiles on different partitions on the same physical disk drive.
How do manage virtual memory?
System Properties – Advanced – Performance (Setting) – Advanced – Virtual Memory
