subject: increase virtual computer memory [print this page] How to Increase Virtual Memory in Windows XP and Vista
Virtual memory is a "virtual" form of memory that your Windows computer uses in addition to its physical memory. Physical memory comes on chips that are installed in your computer.
You can buy additional memory chips and install them if your computer has additional slots for more memory. You can also replace memory chips with new ones if the original chips go bad or you want to install higher capacity chips (if your computer supports them). Because virtual memory is virtual, when it runs low, you can't go down to the computer store and buy more. Instead, you need to increase the "paging file."
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So what exactly is virtual memory? As you know, memory is also known as RAM which stands for "Random Access Memory." RAM is typically stored on memory chips. However, Windows can also use part of the computer's hard disk as random access memory. The memory accessed on the hard drive is the virtual memory. This memory is used to supplement the physical memory.
Windows doesn't haphazardly place memory resident items and programs on the hard drive as needed; these items are placed in the paging file. The paging file's size affects how much virtual memory is available. For example, if the paging file is relatively small, you won't have much virtual memory available. If the paging file is large, then you'll have more virtual memory available. This is also why nearly full hard disks cause major performance problems because there's no room for Windows to use for virtual memory.
Some programs such as Microsoft Office need virtual memory, even on computers with plenty of physical RAM. Whether you want to improve system performance by increasing virtual memory or you need to increase the amount of virtual memory because a specific program requires it, the steps are the same: you must increase the paging file's size.
In Windows XP, you can increase virtual memory by:Going to Start and right-clicking My ComputerClicking PropertiesClicking the Advanced tab followed by SettingsClicking the Advanced tab in the next dialog boxFinding the Virtual Memory pane and clicking on ChangeChanging both the Initial Size and Maximum Size values to a higher numberClicking Set and OK to confirm your decision. Continue clicking OK as needed to exit the various dialog boxesIn Windows Vista, you can increase virtual memory by:Going to Start and right-clicking ComputerClicking PropertiesClicking on Advanced System SettingsClicking on the Advanced tabFinding Performance and clicking on SettingsClicking the Advanced tabFinding the Virtual Memory area and clicking on the Change buttonClicking Custom Size and increasing the Initial and Maximum Size valuesClicking Set and OK to confirm your choice and exit the dialog boxesIncreasing the paging file will set aside additional hard drive space for Windows to use as random access memory. If you currently have a small paging file, increasing its size should boost your computer's performance. increase virtual computer memoryBy: speedypc
