The Virtual Memory is a very useful technique in Windows (and other Operating Systems) because it uses space on your hard disk to “extend”, if needed, the installed physical memory. This technique helps Windows to run smoothly and without problems, when the physical RAM has not available resources to handle all requests.
Virtual Memory extends the available RAM memory, by storing the inactive parts of the Physical RAM, to a file on the hard disk that is called “Paging File” or “”Pagefile”. In fact Virtual Memory transfers the inactive memory contents from the physical RAM to the Pagefile and then, when this content needed again from the OS, it transfers it back to physical memory. (For that reason the Paging file is also known as “SWAP Drive” or “SWAP File”).
Virtual Memory in Windows OS is stored on a hidden file on the system drive (C:) with the filename “pagefile.sys”. The Pagefile size is managed by default from the Windows OS and can be up to 1.5 times and 3 times the amount of the physical memory present on computer’s configuration.
In this tutorial you will find instructions on how you can adjust the size of Virtual Memory (Pagefile) to help your computer to run more smoothly and without problems.
How to Increase Virtual Memory on Windows 10, 8, 7 & Vista
If you use applications that needs more memory, or your system is very slow, or crashes with blue screens (e.g. BSOD PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, etc.) then increase you virtual memory size by following the steps below:
1. Press Windows 
+ R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type sysdm.cpl & click OK.
3. At Advanced tab select Performance Settings.
4. At Performance Options, select the Advanced tab and then click Change.
5. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives checkbox.
6. Select the Custom Size option.
7. Now type into both the İnitial size(MB) and Maximum size(MB) box a value that is two and half (2,5) or three (3) times the amount of RAM installed on your System. *
e.g. If the installed RAM memory is 2GB (2048MB) then set type: 5120 (2,5 x 2048 = 5120).
* Note: Windows limits the increase of Virtual Memory to three times the amount of physical RAM installed. If you have 4GB (or more) RAM installed on your system, then set the Initial and Maximum size values to two (2) times the amount of the installed RAM.
8. When done click Set and then click OK to apply changes and Restart your computer.
That’s all! Did it work for you?
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