How to configure the swap file? Who is a Sysadmin? Setting up virtual memory in windows 8.1

Increasing the paging file in Windows 8

Using the paging file in Windows 8 has the same meaning as in previous versions of Microsoft operating systems. Since Windows 8 is a rather demanding system in terms of resources, increasing the page file helps the system significantly speed up its performance. If you are worried about messages that your virtual memory is running low, then in this article we will tell you how to increase it and get rid of these errors.

How to change page file size in Windows 8?

In order to change the size of this file in the operating system, we need to perform the following steps.

Right-click on the “Computer” shortcut and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

The next window will allow us to change the settings of our computer. Here you can change the name of your computer, launch Device Manager, set the level of protection for your computer, configure remote access to your system, and view physical settings. To change the paging file, we need to click on the “Advanced system settings” item.

In the “System Properties” snap-in that opens, go to the “Advanced” tab and click the “Options” button in the “Performance” section. This section allows you to configure your computer settings for maximum speed.

Go to the “Performance Options” snap-in and click on the “Advanced” tab.

This section allows you to distribute processor time to optimize programs and services that run in the background, as well as change the computer’s virtual memory settings. It is in this section that we can change the size and placement of the paging file for better performance. To do this, click on the “Change” button.

The Virtual Memory section allows us to manipulate the properties of the page file. This is where we can customize it as per our requirements. Let's look at all the points of these settings.

Correct settings and file size selection

In the window that opens, we can see several fields with data that can be changed. In order for the system to determine which paging file it needs, check the box next to “Automatically select paging file size”. If you still want to change virtual memory manually, then you should change the values ​​of these items:

Selected drive

In this section, we can select a disk that has excess unallocated space that can be used to increase virtual memory.

Specify size

This section allows you to change the size of the paging file. This is a very important item in our virtual memory settings, and changing it will affect the operation of the operating system. It is worth noting that a large page file is not always good for the system. The fact is that with large volumes of this file, the system often uses it, forgetting about the existence of RAM, thereby reducing its efficiency. Frequent use of a hard drive can negatively affect its performance, because instead of storing data, it constantly works instead of RAM, which is not good. So this series of correspondences will help you optimally set the size of your paging file:

Matching the size of the paging file to the size of the RAM:

0.5 GB RAM = 2 GB
1 GB RAM = 1312 Mb
2 GB RAM = 1 GB
4 GB RAM = 768-768 Mb

System selectable size

If you are not sure what size of the paging file you need, just select this item, the system itself will set the required size on the disk you select

No swap file

If you have a memory capacity of more than 6 Gb, then you can safely choose this item. This will ensure maximum optimization of the RAM, while prolonging the life of your hard drive, which no longer needs to act as virtual memory.

The page file often helps a lot in the operation of the computer, but if you really want to achieve maximum performance, then we recommend using at least 4 GB of RAM, while trying to reduce the load on the hard drive by reducing the size of virtual memory.

A secret method to increase virtual memory performance from Your World PC

Our portal specialists advise you to make some settings that will help you achieve the best possible performance.

To do this, create a separate disk with a size that you can leave for virtual memory, and designate it as the location for the page file. This is done so that unnecessary files do not interfere with the system’s quick access to the physical space of the hard drive, which helps to increase the speed of its operation.

To operate Windows operating systems, a paging file is used, which is a kind of virtual memory of the computer, which is an extension of its physical RAM. This paging file ensures the functioning of computer programs in cases where there is not enough physical RAM memory.
Windows, by default, detects paging file settings automatically. But sometimes manually changing the paging file can help the user optimize the system. In some cases, it is advisable to completely disable the page file. In some situations, it is best to do nothing and let the system continue to automatically determine the size of the paging file. Below we will figure out how to configure the paging file according to the particular use of the computer, as well as its characteristics.

How to increase or decrease the paging file in Windows 7/8/10

To configure the paging file settings, go to “System Properties” (“ My computer» right click - « Properties"), and then select "System protection" from the list that appears.

Here you can configure the necessary virtual memory parameters:

• Increase or decrease the paging file;
• Disable virtual memory.

How to properly configure the paging file?

Note: when using an SSD drive, it is advisable to install the maximum possible amount of RAM and completely disable the page file, which will increase the life of the solid-state drive.

We believe that when regulating the paging file, you should primarily focus not on the size of RAM, but on the peculiarities of using the computer, otherwise there is a high probability that a message about insufficient memory will appear.

If your computing device has 8 gigabytes of RAM, and you use your computer mainly for browsing various sites and also playing a few games, disabling the page file is most likely the right solution (although there is a possibility that you will see an insufficient memory message).

If you use your computer to edit photos using professional programs, work with three-dimensional or vector graphics, design rocket engines and houses, and also use virtual machines, eight gigabytes of RAM will not be enough for you, so during your work you will definitely need a page file . Moreover, by disabling the paging file, you risk unexpectedly losing documents you have not saved, as well as files if a memory shortage occurs.

On the Internet you can find recommendations that differ from the option proposed above. You must decide for yourself which of these recommendations you will follow.

Such a necessary attribute as the paging file is present in any modern operating system. It is also called virtual memory or swap file. In fact, the page file is a kind of extension for the computer's RAM. If several applications and services that require a significant amount of memory are simultaneously used in the system, Windows, as it were, transfers inactive programs from RAM to virtual memory, freeing up resources. This ensures sufficient performance of the operating system.

In Windows 8, the swap file is called pagefile.sys and is hidden and system-wide. At the user's discretion, various operations can be performed with the paging file: increase, decrease, or disable completely. The main rule here is to always think about the consequences of changing virtual memory and act carefully.

Method 1: Increasing the size of the swap file

By default, Windows itself automatically adjusts the amount of virtual memory depending on the need for free resources. But this does not always happen correctly and, for example, games may begin to slow down. Therefore, if desired, the size of the paging file can always be increased within acceptable limits.

1. Press the button "Start", find the icon "This computer".
2. Right-click to open the context menu and select "Properties". For lovers of the command line, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts: Win+R and teams "cmd" And "sysdm.cpl".
3. In the window "System" in the left column click on the line "System protection".
   
4. In the window "System Properties" go to the tab "Additionally" and in the section "Performance" choose "Options".
5. A window appears on the monitor screen "Performance Options". On the tab "Additionally" we see what we were looking for - virtual memory settings.
6. In line “Total size of the paging file on all disks” We observe the current value of the parameter. If this indicator does not suit us, then click "Change".
7. In a new window "Virtual memory" uncheck the field “Automatically select the size of the paging file”.
8. Place a dot opposite the line "Specify size". Below we see the recommended size of the swap file.
9. In accordance with your preferences, we enter numerical parameters in the fields "Original size" And "Maximum size". Click "Set" and finish the settings "OK".
10. The task was successfully completed. The paging file size has more than doubled.

Method 2: Disabling the page file

On devices with a large amount of RAM (16 gigabytes or more), you can completely disable virtual memory. It is not recommended to do this on computers with weaker characteristics, although hopeless situations may arise due, for example, to a lack of free space on the hard drive.

Heated debate about the ideal size of the paging file in Windows has been going on for a very long time. According to Microsoft developers, the larger the amount of RAM installed in the computer, the smaller the size of virtual memory on the hard drive can be. And the choice is yours.

Not all users still know what a paging file is, how to increase it, and why it is needed at all. But almost everyone has encountered a message that the virtual memory on the computer is running low. This situation is especially common when playing online games. Let's see how to fix the situation.

What is a paging file

To begin with, let's decide. In other words, it is a file located on the hard drive that the system uses to store temporary files. This allows you to free up some RAM. If it is already loaded, then the swap file becomes a kind of “salvation”. Of course you can, but nevertheless, the page file is still a very useful “thing”.

The paging file together with the RAM make up the PC’s virtual memory. And if it is impossible to play because a message appears that it is ending, then one of its components should be increased. If you do not touch the RAM, then the page file remains. We will now look at how to increase it on Windows 8.

Increasing the swap file

So, first we need to go to the Desktop. Here we select the Computer icon and double-click on it. Go to the System Properties section. On the left side at the bottom there is a line Additional options. You should switch to it.

The System Properties window will open in front of us. In it, select the Advanced tab. In the Performance section, click Settings. Here we are interested in Additional. Find the Virtual Memory frame and click on the Edit button.

The virtual memory window that opens will help you enter the necessary data. So, it is recommended to make a note that the size of the paging file is selected automatically. In addition, you need to highlight the line Size by system selection. Confirm the changes by clicking on the OK button.

You can enter the necessary parameters manually. To do this, in the Virtual Memory window, first select the disk on which the size of the paging file will be set. Experts usually advise creating a file not on the system partition, but on another disk. In addition, it is recommended to make its size only one and a half times the amount of installed RAM. In other words, if your last parameter is 4 GB, then the page file should not exceed 6 GB, although the system will accept 8 GB installed.

So we set the initial and maximum size. After that, click the Install button. A message will appear stating that the changes will take effect only after the computer is restarted. We agree with this. We wait until the computer restarts and launch the required game. Messages indicating that virtual memory is almost full should no longer appear. Microsoft developers do not recommend disabling, much less deleting, the swap file, since this is a fairly important component that will be useful to users more than once.

It should be noted that the system message about high virtual memory load may indicate not only that the settings need to be increased, as we discussed above. It is possible that the computer is simply outdated for this game. Therefore, think about starting to change the hardware itself. If you use your computer mainly for games, then you can find out how to build a powerful computer for games. Well, as for a computer for everyday use, here are our tips. It is recommended to start, accordingly, by replacing the RAM. In addition, we have already mentioned that the size of the paging file also depends on its size. If you decide to limit yourself to only increasing this file, then you just need to follow the steps that were listed in the article. After that, calmly launch those games that did not want to be installed due to the small memory size.

How to increase the performance of Windows 8. Increase RAM using the page file. What is a paging file, why is it needed and how to install it.

RAM is one of the important elements in a computer that is responsible for the speed of performing tasks assigned to it. The more RAM (Random Access Memory) you have, the faster running processes on your computer will run.

In modern computers running Windows 8, it is recommended to install at least 6 GB of RAM, and a minimum of 4 GB. If you have 8 GB or more, then you don’t have to worry about increasing it; this amount can cope with all the tasks of an ordinary user.

But who has 4 GB is better to increase. There are two ways to do this - buy in the store and using a swap file. For those who cannot afford the first method, today I will tell you about the second.

What is a paging file and why is it needed?

This is simply allocated space on your hard drive specifically to help your RAM. When you run several processes at the same time (programs, browser, ISQ, etc.) your memory may not cope.

That's when the paging file works, adding RAM space on the hard drive for processing processes.

Of course, such a process requires more time than performing tasks only in the most operational way, but in the absence of it, it will be better than nothing, as they say - for lack of fish, fish for cancer. 🙂

For users who have 8 GB or more and who do not use graphic editors (Photoshop, 3Dmax) and do not play computer video games (where graphics are used), they can completely disable the page file.
Because RAM itself processes user tasks faster without using a page file.

By default, for all operating systems, the paging file is installed on the partition (disk) on which the system itself is located and has a dynamic (changeable) size to be able to allocate space as much as RAM is needed.

Today we will install it on another partition and configure it for your computer.

How to properly install the paging file and configure it

You need to install the paging file on a partition where you do not have the system itself and the most free space. Usually the system is installed on the partition with the letter “C”, and other partitions can have letters starting with “D”.

Also, after installing on the “D” partition, make sure that you have disabled the paging file on other partitions, so as not to create additional load on the disk.

Do not install a paging file if you have less than 10% free disk space left after you add paging, this will lead to increased disk load, which is not even more desirable than low RAM.

There are two versions of setting up the paging file:

• static - a certain size,
• dynamic - resizable.

In the first case, we ourselves set the amount of space that the RAM can request. Accordingly, we set the minimum and maximum numbers equal to your RAM.
It is believed that in this case the paging file is not subject to fragmentation (empty spaces on the disk) and works better.

The second case suggests making dynamic paging, when the minimum volume is equal to the amount of your RAM, and the maximum is its double value.

I recommend using the second option, because... I find it more productive. And you can fight fragmentation by configuring it to be cleaned after completion of work.

So let's move on directly to the steps to configure the paging file.

Open the right tab and select “Options”

Go to “Computer Information”

We look at the amount of installed RAM (RAM)

Open “Advanced system settings”, a small new “System Properties” window will open. In the “Performance” section, click “Options”

In the new “Performance Options” window that opens, go to the “Advanced” tab and in the “Virtual Memory” item, click the “Change” button

1. Select a disk that has more space or is simply not the one on which the system is installed
2. Check the box next to “Specify size”
3. We write down our values
4. Click the “Set” button
5. And click “OK”

1. Next, select the disk (or disks in turn), where it says “By system choice”
2. Check the box next to “No paging file”
3. Click the “Set” button
4. If a window pops up, click “Yes”
5. And click “OK”

To do this, select the “Run” command in the “Start” menu; if it is not there, then look in “All applications”

In the window that opens, write secpol.msc and click “Ok”

1. Click "Properties"
2. Select “Enabled”
3. "Apply"
4. And "OK"

Afterwards you will need to reboot. You can do it right away or later.

Now you know how to increase the performance of Windows 8 without buying anything. 🙂

P.S. Write in the comments whether you use a swap file or maybe you have other methods?