What Is Virtual Memory Size?



Virtual memory is distinctly different from physical memory (RAM – Random Access Memory) in both structure and purpose. By using virtual memory, your computer pretends that is has much more memory than it actually does. It stores fundamental programs in RAM and temporarily transfers secondary functions over to virtual memory. This clears up a lot of room in RAM and your computer can operate much more efficiently. Basically it increases the memory capacity of your computer without ever having to purchase more storage space.

Your PC was designed with a certain amount of memory. Usually 128 or 64 MB are standard for most Windows operating systems. However much RAM you have, that is the size of your computer's memory. The amount of RAM that you have corresponds to the number of applications that you can run at the same time. Even if you have a significant amount of RAM, it's not hard to fill it up really quickly. Once it becomes full, your RAM has a few clever ways to create some more space. It scans files and identifies ones that haven't been used in awhile. It takes those "unnecessary" files and temporarily moves them over to the virtual memory – this is commonly referred to as "swapping".

The general rule of thumb is that whatever your RAM value is (let's say 64 MB), you multiply that by 1.5 and that should be the value of your virtual memory. The virtual memory is saved under a "Paging File." What is a paging file? Pages are same-sized bocks of information. Your computer's RAM saves information in these chunks and transfers them over to the virtual memory.

If your computer is getting overcrowded with information you will probably get a message tell you that your virtual memory is getting low. All you have to do is increase your page file values. On the other hand, you don't want this to be your only solution. If you increase the size of your page file too much it will only result in a lot of swapping between the RAM and the virtual memory. This can ultimately slow your computer down. If you are running out of both RAM and virtual memory, you might want to consider purchasing some more RAM.

As a first resort, try following these steps to increase your virtual memory, or page file:

  1. Open the Start Menu and select the Control Panel
  2. Click on "Performance" and then "Maintenance"
  3. Select "Settings"
  4. Under the "Advanced" tab select "Settings" (under "Virtual Memory")
  5. Under "Drive" (Volume Label) select the drive that you want to modify
  6. Under "Paging File Size" click on "Custom Size"
  7. Modify the amount of virtual memory
  8. Hit Set and then reboot your computer

Here are the steps to complete the adjustments when you're working in Windows Vista:

  1. Open the Start Menu and select the Control Panel
  2. Choose "System" and then choose "Maintenance"
  3. Select "System"
  4. Choose "Advanced System Settings"
  5. Under the "Advanced" tab and below "Performance" select "Settings"
  6. Click on the "Advanced" tab
  7. Under the "Virtual Memory" listing select "Change"
  8. Select "Custom" and pick the drive that you want to modify
  9. Enter a new value
 

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