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What is virtual memory?

Boost your Windows 11 performance in a few simple steps! Learn how to change virtual memory size in Windows 11 and unleash your PC's true potential today. Virtual memory is critical in system performance and can be modified to improve your computer's responsiveness and multitasking capabilities.

Boost Windows 11 performance: Learn how to change the virtual memory size

Virtual memory is a memory management capability of an operating system that uses hardware and software to allow a computer to compensate for a shortage of physical memory by temporarily moving information from arbitrary access memory (Slam) to plate capacity. This process is also known as migration and swap.

Why change the virtual memory size?

Optimizing the amount of virtual memory can significantly improve your system's performance, especially if you frequently run memory-intensive applications or experience slowdowns due to insufficient physical RAM.

Virtual memory is critical in system performance and can be modified to improve your computer's responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. We'll walk you through the steps below on how to change virtual memory size in Windows 11.

Step 1: Access the default memory settings

To change the virtual memory size in Windows 11, you need to access the System Properties dialog box. Follow the following steps:

1. Open the Start menu and click the gear icon to open the Settings application.
2. In the Settings application, click on the “System” category.
3. Scroll down and click on the “About” option in the left sidebar.
4. On the right side, click on the “System Information” link.
5. Under the System section, click the “Advanced system settings” link.
6. A new window called “System Properties” will open. Click the Advanced tab".

Step 2: Change the virtual memory size

Once you access your virtual memory settings, follow these steps to change the virtual memory size:

1. Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, and uncheck it.
2. Select the drive for which you want to change the virtual memory size.
3. Click “Custom Size” and enter the initial and maximum virtual memory size in megabytes (MB).
4. Click “Set” and then “OK” to save the changes.
5. Click "OK" to close the windows.

Step 3: Optimize default memory settings

After changing the virtual memory size, it is important to optimize the settings for better performance:

1. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
2. Monitor your system's performance to ensure the effectiveness of the new default memory settings.

Increase virtual memory in Windows 11

The Windows system contains a “virtual memory” feature that replaces the processor with “virtual RAM” if the real RAM is full. Windows automatically determines a specific size for this memory, but you can control the size by increasing or decreasing it in easy steps if you are using Windows 11. Let us review how.

First: What is virtual memory?

The hard drive in your device, whether it is an SSD or HDD, stores all the essential files, including photos, music, games, documents, videos, etc., permanently on its giant memory, which may reach more than a terabyte (1000 GB).

The hard disk is not the only storage space on the device. There is another storage memory that is characterized by amazing speed, which is RAM, but its size - in most cases - is not at all comparable to the size of large storage units, and the function of this simple storage memory is different from the function of the hard disk.

RAM also stores files, but unlike a hard disk, the type of stored files is not permanent and is recalled quickly. For example, when you open the Google Chrome browser, for example, and leave it running in the background while you work on another program, the data that the browser consumes is stored in RAM so that it can be called up quickly when needed, and the same applies to any program or file that you open temporarily, and of course The more files and programs you open, the greater the load on the RAM until it becomes full.

Hence the importance of "Virtual memory", which is very old tech and is already present in most operating systems under different names. For example, you find it in the Windows system under the name Memory Paging, even on Android phones from other manufacturers under the name RAM Expansion, and on Samsung phones under the name "RAM Plus." Regardless of the name, the working mechanism is the same: temporarily transferring data from the RAM to the main storage unit if the available amount of RAM is limited so that more programs can be kept running in the background at the same time.

What is meant is that this technology will not increase the actual size of the computer’s RAM, so do not make it 16 GB if the RAM is already 8 GB. Rather, it simply helps the RAM accommodate the largest possible amount of temporary program data without causing “irritation” or a forced shutdown of it while it is working. In the background, this is done by reserving a small area of the hard disk and treating it as physical RAM, but it is not that and that is why it is called “virtual memory”.

However, since the primary storage unit, even if it is an SSD, is much slower than RAM, the speed of the device will not improve. On the contrary, the device may become slower, but the benefit that will accrue to you is that you will be able to open more programs and files. To a certain extent.

Second: What is the recommended size of virtual memory?

Virtual memory has a certain limit, and if you squeeze it and reach its maximum, which is after using up all the RAM space, Windows 11 will display an error message saying. The device is slow because the virtual memory is full. It has reached its maximum and trying to run any additional applications may fail.

Windows 11 manages virtual memory automatically, but as we mentioned, you will be able to control the size of this memory yourself. Windows prepares the "Paging file" file depending on the size of the RAM, and the size of the aforementioned file (virtual memory) ranges between 1.5 to 3 times the size of the actual RAM, according to Microsoft. If your RAM space is 8 GB, for example, the smallest size that can be reached by increasing The virtual memory size is 12288 GB (1024 MB [1 GB] times 8 [RAM size] times 1.5 [minimum possible virtual memory size]), while the maximum size will be 24576 (1024 MB times 8 times 3 [maximum possible virtual memory size] ]).

This means that the minimum RAM storage space after increasing the size of the virtual memory will exceed 12 GB, while the maximum space will exceed 24 GB (if the RAM size is 8 GB); Again, this does not mean increasing the speed of the computer, but rather the possibility of opening more programs and applications.

We will remind you of this information again because of its importance. Microsoft recommends that those who want to increase the size of the virtual memory should have the size of the RAM 3 or 4 times larger than the size of the virtual memory because this will help stabilize the system. However, it is better to let your device decide the number itself, and do not forget that this space will be deducted from the total hard drive space.

Third: Controlling the virtual memory space on Windows 11

If you want to manually increase the virtual memory size on Windows 11 so that you do not encounter the error message mentioned above when you open more programs and applications on the device, you can do so very easily:

1. Open the Run window by pressing the Win + R keys together on the keyboard.
2. Type the command “sysdm. cpl” and press Enter.
3. The System Properties window appears.
4. Go to the “Advanced” section.
5. Under the Performance section, click on the Settings button.
6. After that, another window will pop up.
7. Go to the Advanced section.
8. Go to the bottom of “Virtual memory” and click “Change”.
9. Remove the check mark (✔) next to “…Automatically manage paging file” to set the manual value.
10. After finishing, click “OK”.

It is always recommended to leave the "Paging file" command to Windows to handle it because increasing the amount of virtual memory more than necessary puts the stability of your device at risk, but if you insist on modifying it manually, follow Microsoft's recommendations so as not to harm your device.

Fourth: Increasing the actual RAM space to improve performance

We would like to point out one last time: The solution to increasing the virtual memory space is a temporary solution that cannot be relied upon for a long time, and it does not increase the speed or performance of the device, but only the capacity to accommodate more programs and applications.

To improve the device's performance, you need a solution that permanently increases the amount of virtual memory, and this solution is to increase the amount of RAM itself.

Fortunately, changing RAM is very easy, especially if we are talking about desktop computers. Perhaps the only drawback in this matter is that it will cost you some money. Another problem you may face is the lack of additional RAM ports. In this case, you will have to give up the old RAM pieces or sell them and buy others in their place instead of benefiting from both.

Conclusion: Changing the size of virtual memory in Windows 11 can have a significant impact on your system's performance. By following the steps in this guide, you can optimize your virtual memory settings to better suit your computing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recommended virtual memory size for Windows 11?

👉👉 The recommended virtual memory size for Windows 11 is 1.5 times the amount of physical RAM installed on your system. However, the optimal size may vary based on your specific usage and system configuration.

Can I assign different virtual memory sizes to different drives?

👉👉 Yes, you can set virtual memory sizes allocated to individual drives on your system. This can be useful if you have multiple drives with different storage capacities and usage patterns.

Will changing the virtual memory size affect my existing data?

👉👉 Changing the virtual memory size will not affect your existing data. However, a system restart may be required to apply the new settings.

How often should I check and adjust the default memory settings?

👉👉 It is recommended that you check and adjust your default memory settings if you notice performance issues related to memory management or if you frequently use memory-intensive applications.

Why should I change the virtual memory size in Windows 11?

👉👉 Adjusting the virtual memory size allows your computer to allocate additional hard disk space as temporary RAM. This can improve system performance, especially when multitasking or running resource-intensive applications.

What are the recommended virtual memory settings?

👉👉 The recommended virtual memory setting is to let Windows manage it automatically. However, in some cases, customizing the amount of virtual memory can provide better performance based on specific system requirements and workload.

How can I calculate the ideal size of virtual memory?

👉👉 The ideal size of virtual memory depends on various factors such as the RAM installed, the applications you use, and your workflow. Microsoft recommends setting the initial size to 1.5 times the physical RAM and the maximum size to 3 times the amount of RAM.

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