Virtual Memory smVirtual Memory/PageFile is space on your HardDrive that is Allocated/Used for the Windows Operating System to extend the function of your Physical RAM/Memory by Default. Windows creates a "Virtual" Memory space on your HardDrive by Default, In other words, this setting is normally On. It is suggested to Add 1.5 to 2 Times the amount of the Physical RAM/Memory that is inside your computer, and use that number to Allocate/Use for Virtual Memory/PageFile space on the HardDrive. An example would be, if I had 512MB of RAM/Memory, I would Allocate/Use 768MB of Virtual Memory space on the HardDrive and this would ensure that Programs could "Virtually" Use More Memory, in a sense, it would "Borrow" from the HardDrive Virtual Memory space. The Real Bottom Line today is, that if you have More Physical RAM/Memory (1 GigaByte or more) in your computer, the Less Virtual Memory/PageFile you need to Allocate/Use on the HardDrive.

In my opinion, it is a great idea to turn Virtual Memory off Completely, so the windows operating system and your programs can run completely in RAM/Memory, which enhances windows performance quite nicely, and it is stable. I have been actively using this setting for months, and it works great. I have tested, and used this Computer Enhancement on my Windows XP Pro computer. I have not tried this enhancement on Windows Vista or Windows 7 yet.

 

It's easy to turn off the Virtual Memory setting properly to gain windows performance, and your computer will thank You! I will show you how to perform this simple task in Windows XP Pro or XP Home.

 

First thing to do is Backup your Windows Registry, it's easy. Click Start, Click Run, type regedit, then press OK, to open the Registry Editor . In the left pane Highlight My Computer, Then above Click File, Click Export, and type RegBackup in the FileName box , then Click Save. This Registry Backup will be saved to your My Documents folder by default. Backup is now Done and you can close the Registry Editor.

 

There are only 2 small settings to adjust in Windows so your Computer will be free of Virtual Memory usage, and it will have increased Computer Performance. Be sure to log into windows with an "Administrator" account to perform this Computer Enhancement.

SETTING 1

1. Click Start, Click Run, and type regedit then press OK to open the Registry Editor.

2. In the leftside pane, Click My Computer then above Click Edit, then Click Find, type DisablePagingExecutive in the find box, Then Click the Find Next button.

3. When the Search is Complete, look in the rightside pane, Double Click DisablePagingExecutive and change the Value Data from 0 to 1 Then Click OK and Close the Registry Editor.

 

SETTING 2

1. Click Start, Click Run, and type sysdm.cpl

2. Click the Advanced Tab, then under Performance, Click the Settings button, then Click the Advanced Tab, then under Virtual Memory, Click Change, then Choose No Paging File

3. Click OK, Ok, Ok, then Restart your Computer. After your computer Restarts, log back into windows 1 more time (as administrator) to allow the settings to take effect. Now enjoy the Extra Computer Performance as Any user on the computer.  Done.

 

 

 

Comments (4)
  • |2009-09-18 18:50:40 John Keubler  - virtual memory
    I have only 512MB ram so I guess I can't do this??? My dad has Vista with more memory. I think 2GB. Is this step required here also?? If so are the steps the same as in XP??? On my computer(XP) I notice that there is always some kind of hard drive activity even when the computer is setting idle and doing nothing. I think this is normal. Can this be slowed down however??? I was reading that this gets better in Windows 7. Any comments on this?? If you need help I used to build and test computers. I almost got a networking certifation. I will if needed. But I am really into programming. I know pretty much every language. My favorite ones are python, Microsoft visual basic, C#, Java, etc. I am into bioinformatics programming. I am currently researching how to have the computer automate the drug discovery process. This involves scanning the genome for certain genes and proteins and performing what is called a ligand to protein docking. There are several books on this.
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  • |2009-09-18 22:55:47 Pctechie  - Virtual Memory
    John, how are you. I'm assuming you read my article on Virtual Memory which explains how windows stores files from applications and the operating system on the hard drive. This is done to help out the ram, and to allow more to be freed up. Yes you will see more activity with computers with lower memory like 512MB ram. The how to steps I explain are for windows XP Pro or Home only. I have not been able to test on Vista, but I believe I could create the same scenario, and it should help vista also, but i have not tested that yet. Windows 7 is very similar to Vista, but it has been refined to be more efficient on Ram and Hardrive activities, so windows 7 is better. I do have a windows 7 copy to test with, so I will find out more on windows 7 Virtual Memory settings. For the record, I like windows 7 and will be installing it, and skipping Vista. I'm familiar with them all, at this point, just some details I'm working out. You mention, about programming, I'm in the process of finding sch...
  • |2009-09-18 18:51:06 John Keubler  - virtual memory
    I guess this is required in Vista and Windows 7. I just noticed it in your lesson.

    John Keubler
    My number is --- --- 9794
    If you need any help give me a call. I live in Alison Apartments behind Wawa.
  • |2009-09-18 22:57:19 Pctechie
    Sounds good John, I sent you an email also, we can get a discussion going on it.
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