Today's computers have several types of memory, to allow them to function in the best possible way in all kinds of applications and uses. RAM memory and graphics card memory are two most popular types of memory, although there is a third type, virtual memory, which is just as important. We explain what virtual memory in Windows 10 is , and how you can use it to improve the performance of your computer.
How Virtual Memory Works
The RAM memory is responsible for storing the data of the programs that are most used by the processor. As this data is stored in RAM, the processor can access it much faster than if it had to obtain it directly from the hard disk.
This is because RAM is much faster than any hard drive . It is true that SSDs have a much higher speed than traditional mechanical drives, but even so, they are still a much slower storage medium than RAM.
The problem we have with RAM is that it is expensive and takes up a lot of space, so the amount we can have on our computers is quite limited . This makes many times the amount of RAM, insufficient to store all the most important data of the programs we are using. This is where virtual memory comes into play.
The virtual memory is a small part of the hard disk that is reserved for use, if the RAM is not sufficient to store the data needed by the processor. Despite being a small storage space on the hard disk, the operating system is in charge of optimizing the stored data, so that it can be read more quickly, partially alleviating the problem of the slowness of the hard disk.
Therefore, virtual memory will be used to store data that does not fit in the computer's RAM . Correctly adjusting the size of virtual memory is very important to ensure that our computer does not run out of memory with which to work.
How to adjust Virtual Memory in Windows 10
Windows 10 allows us to modify the amount of virtual memory with which the computer will work. Normally it is recommended that the amount of virtual memory is 1.5 times higher than the amount of RAM that we have installed in the computer.
If we take a computer with 8GB of RAM as a reference, which is a fairly typical configuration today, we should use a 12GB amount of virtual memory. We can use a slightly higher amount, for example 16 GB to make sure it does not fall short.
The first thing we need to do to adjust virtual memory in Windows 10 is to access the operating system control panel . Once inside we enter the system and security section , then system , and advanced system configuration .
Once inside advanced system settings, a small window will open. We need to enter the advanced options tab and click on the performance configuration section .
Now we need to access the advanced options tab , and click on the change option that is within the virtual memory section.
A new window will open in which we will have to uncheck the automatic virtual memory management box .
Once the option is unchecked, we will have to set the size we want our virtual memory file to have. We recommend that you set the same value for the minimum size and the maximum size, to avoid problems. Finally, we click OK and it will ask us to restart the computer.