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High Virtual Memory Utilisation

Source: Windows Central

In certain cases, the memory usage could climb up as high as 70 percent, going further up to 100 percent if a restart isn’t performed. This high memory usage on Windows 10 brings computer usage and performance to a halt. But you don’t have to sit on this problem for a long time. Here are some step-by-step procedures to tackle the memory.

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On Windows 10, virtual memory (or paging file) is an essential component (hidden file) designed to remove and temporarily store less frequently use modified pages allocated in RAM (random-access memory) to the hard drive. Using this approach allows the system to prioritize faster physical memory for more frequent processes and applications, improving the overall performance and preventing the device from locking up in the event it runs out of system memory.

In addition, the paging file is important to support crash dumps during a system crash (Blue Screen of Death), as without a large enough page file, a dump with all the contents of the system memory won't be created.

Although the system does a pretty good job managing the paging file size according to various factors automatically, sometimes, you may still need to increase the default virtual memory values manually. For instance, when you see the 'Your system is low on virtual memory' message. You're noticing slow performance over time, or a particular application requires specific parameters to work as intended.

If you're experiencing issues with virtual memory, the device doesn't have enough memory, or you're trying to improve the system performance, Windows 10 allows you to increase the size of the virtual memory in at least two ways using the Settings app and Command Prompt.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to increase the size of the virtual memory to improve the system responsiveness.

How to increase virtual memory using Settings

To adjust the virtual memory size on Windows 10, use these steps:

Warning: Although anyone can change the paging file size, it's only recommended to use these instructions if you have a valid reason, and you know what you're doing.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on About.
  4. Under the 'Related settings' section, click the System info option.

    Source: Windows Central

  5. Click the 'Advanced system settings' option from the left pane.

    Source: Windows Central

  6. Click the Advanced tab.
  7. Under the 'Performance' section, click the Settings button.

    Source: Windows Central

  8. Click the Advanced tab.
  9. Under the 'Virtual memory' section, click the Change button.

    Source: Windows Central

  10. Clear the Automatically manage paging files size for all drives option.
  11. Select the Custom size option.
  12. Specify the initial and maximum size for the paging file in megabytes.

    Source: Windows Central

    Quick tip: The size of the virtual memory is unique to each device, and it can't be generalized. However, usually, it's recommended to use a number that's one and a half times the total available memory for the 'Initial size' and three times of available memory for the 'Maximum size' when possible.

  13. Click the Set button.
  14. Click the OK button.
  15. Click the OK button again.
  16. Restart your device.

Once you complete the steps, you should notice an increase in performance when navigating Windows 10 as well as when running multiple apps at the same time.

If you need to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 10, make sure to check the Automatically manage paging size for all drives option, and restart your device.

How to increase virtual memory using Command Prompt

To modify the paging file size with Command Prompt, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to understand the current status of the paging file and press Enter:

    wmic pagefile list /format:list

    Source: Windows Central

  4. Type the following command to switch form manage to custom virtual memory and press Enter:

    wmic computersystem where name='%computername%' set AutomaticManagedPagefile=false

    Source: Windows Central

  5. Type the following command to set the initial and maximum size of the virtual memory and press Enter:

    wmic pagefileset where name='C:pagefile.sys' set InitialSize=YOUR-INIT-SIZE,MaximumSize=YOUR-MAX-SIZE

    This example sets the paging file to '9216' and '12288' megabytes for the initial and maxium size:

    wmic pagefileset where name='C:pagefile.sys' set InitialSize=9216,MaximumSize=12288

    Source: Windows Central

  6. Type the following command to restart your computer and press Enter:

    shutdown -r -t 00

After you complete the steps, the device will start using the new values for virtual memory, which, if done correctly, should help to improve system performance.

If you no longer need to use the custom size for virtual memory, you can always revert the changes and allow Windows 10 to manage this feature using this command: wmic computersystem where name='%computername%' set AutomaticManagedPagefile=true and restarting your device.

While it's recommended to use one and a half times the available memory for the initial and three times the memory for the maximum size, make sure to test the changes and adjust the values if you're experiencing freezes, crashes, and other problems.

Although it's possible to disable virtual memory on Windows 10, even when you have a large amount of system memory, it's not recommended to disable this feature. Usually, if you disable paging file, some applications may stop working, some system features may not work efficiently, and you may end up with some weird behaviors.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Seems faster

Benchmarking the new Surface Book 3 15 with GTX 1660 Ti and 10th Gen i7

Although it's too early for a review, here are some initial benchmarks from the new Surface Book 3 15-inch with a Core i7 and NVIDIA GeForce 1660 Ti (Max-Q) and how it compares to Surface Book 2 and other premium laptops. Spoiler: While the CPU is just OK, that 1660 Ti definitely bumps up the Book 3's potential.

Your computer has two types of memory, Random Access Memory ( RAM) and Virtual Memory. All programs use RAM, but when there isn't enough RAM for the program you're trying to run, Windows temporarily moves information that would normally be stored in RAM to a file on your hard disk called a Paging File. The amount of information temporarily stored in a paging file is also referred to as virtual memory.

Using virtual memory, in other words, moving information to and from the paging file, frees up enough RAM for programs to run correctly.The more RAM your computer has, the faster your programs will generally run. If a lack of RAM is slowing your computer, you might be tempted to increase virtual memory to compensate. However, your computer can read data from RAM much more quickly than from a hard disk, so adding RAM is a better solution.If you receive error messages that warn of low virtual memory, you need to either add more RAM or increase the size of your paging file so that you can run the program on your computer. Windows usually manages this automatically, but you can manually change the size of virtual memory if the default size isn't large enough for your needs. How to calculate Windows 10 Virtual Memory / PagefileThere is a formula for calculating the correct pagefile size.

Initial size is one and a half (1.5) x the amount of total system memory. Maximum size is three (3) x the initial size. So let's say you have 4 GB (1 GB = 1,024 MB x 4 = 4,096 MB) of memory. The initial size would be 1.5 x 4,096 = 6,144 MB and the maximum size would be 3 x 6,144 = 18,432 MB. How to change Windows 10 Virtual Memory / PagefileAll the information and links you will need are going to be on the System page.

Bring up the System page by either:. Pressing the Windows logo key + Pauseor. Open File Explorer by left-clicking the manila folder icon on the Taskbar or pressing the Windows Logo key + E at the same time. When File Explorer is open, right-click on This PC and select Properties on the context menu that appears. Make note of the installed memory ( RAM). Click on the Advanced system settings link. Click on the Advanced tab of the System Properties dialog box.

Click on the Settings. Button in the Performance section.

Click on the Advanced tab of the Performance Options dialog box. Click on the Change.

Button inside of the Virtual memory section. Deselect the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box. Select Custom size and enter the initial size and maximum size using the calculation shown above. Click on the Set button.

Virtual memory is a file (pagefile.sys) that Windows uses when you run out of space in the Random Access Memory (RAM). The virtual memory will expand and contract as need, so this why there are initial and maximum sizes. The calculation was originally used when computers had small amount of RAM, but can still be helpful if you have up to 8GB of RAM. Remember that the 64-bit version of Windows 10 requires 2GB of RAM just for itself. So if you have only 4GB of RAM, the 64-bit version of Windows 10 is taking 50% (2GB) right off the top. Once you start running programs, the amount of free RAM will drop until Windows pages it out to the virtual memory. That's why it's called pagefile.sys.

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