How to configure Windows Virtual RAM settings for
Max Performance (Windows 10 / 11)
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By default Windows doesn't always do a great job of configuring the Virtual RAM settings on your PC. We have seen countless desktop and laptops with the Virtual RAM settings configured far too low. The result of this misconfigured setting, is a very very SLOW computer. This change will consume a significant amount of drive space, but with the average cost of storage media hovering around $40 / 1TB ( as of April 2023), it's an affordable change you should consider.
Follow along as we optimize the Windows Virtual RAM settings, to bring some life back into your tired Windows PC.
Note: For larger illustrations, please click on each image, for a full screen view.
Overview:
Determine how much RAM you have installed on your system
Calculate the optimal range for your Virtual RAM setting.
Determine how much Hard Drive storage space you have remaining on your system
Change Windows Virtual RAM settings
Step #1 Determine the capacity of the RAM installed in your machine.
Step #1 Determine the capacity of the RAM installed in your machine.
In this illustration we have 48 GigaBytes (GB) or RAM in Windows 10, and 32 GB of RAM in Windows 11.
In this illustration we have 48 GigaBytes (GB) or RAM in Windows 10, and 32 GB of RAM in Windows 11.
Windows 10 directions for Step #1
Windows 10 directions for Step #1
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel system, and then press Enter. This computer has 48 GigaBytes (GB) of RAM installed
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel system, and then press Enter. This computer has 48 GigaBytes (GB) of RAM installed
Windows 11 directions for Step #1
Windows 11 directions for Step #1
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel system, and then press Enter. This computer has 32 GigaBytes (GB) of RAM installed
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel system, and then press Enter. This computer has 32 GigaBytes (GB) of RAM installed
Step #2 Calculate the optimal range for your Virtual RAM settings.
Step #2 Calculate the optimal range for your Virtual RAM settings.
In this example we need to calculate the Min / Max amount of Virtual RAM in Megabytes (MB), so we need to use our calculator. The Min/Max equations are fairly simple. The Min Virtual RAM should equal 2 times the physical RAM and the Max Virtual RAM setting should equal approx. 4 times the physical RAM. On systems with a LOT of physical RAM , you can scale these numbers down a bit. Since the Virtual RAM setting fields are in Megabytes, we need to convert from Gigabytes captured in Step # 1 to Megabytes as part of our equations. (e.g. 1GB = 1000 MB) So, multiply by 1000 to convert. If this is too confusing, don't worry. Both equations are illustrated below.
In this example we need to calculate the Min / Max amount of Virtual RAM in Megabytes (MB), so we need to use our calculator. The Min/Max equations are fairly simple. The Min Virtual RAM should equal 2 times the physical RAM and the Max Virtual RAM setting should equal approx. 4 times the physical RAM. On systems with a LOT of physical RAM , you can scale these numbers down a bit. Since the Virtual RAM setting fields are in Megabytes, we need to convert from Gigabytes captured in Step # 1 to Megabytes as part of our equations. (e.g. 1GB = 1000 MB) So, multiply by 1000 to convert. If this is too confusing, don't worry. Both equations are illustrated below.
Windows 10 directions for Step #2
Windows 10 directions for Step #2
Follow the example below and calculate your Min & Max Virtual RAM setting. On this computer our Min setting will be 96000 and our Max will be 192000
Follow the example below and calculate your Min & Max Virtual RAM setting. On this computer our Min setting will be 96000 and our Max will be 192000
Windows 11 directions for Step #2
Windows 11 directions for Step #2
Follow the example below and calculate your Min & Max Virtual RAM setting. On this computer our Min setting will be 64000 and our Max will be 128000
Follow the example below and calculate your Min & Max Virtual RAM setting. On this computer our Min setting will be 64000 and our Max will be 128000
Step #3 Determine how much drive storage space you have remaining on your system.
Step #3 Determine how much drive storage space you have remaining on your system.
Because Virtual RAM is stored on the physical hard drive, we need to make sure we have enough free space available to use the maximize Virtual Memory settings we just calculated above. In this illustration we have ~94 GB of drive space remaining in Windows 10, and 847 GB free in Windows 11.
Because Virtual RAM is stored on the physical hard drive, we need to make sure we have enough free space available to use the maximize Virtual Memory settings we just calculated above. In this illustration we have ~94 GB of drive space remaining in Windows 10, and 847 GB free in Windows 11.
Windows 10 directions for Step #3
Windows 10 directions for Step #3
On this computer we calculated we would need 192GB or 192,000 MB of free drive space to utilize the MIN/MAX Virtual RAM settings. Unfortunately this machine only has ~94 GB or 94,000 MB of drive space available. So in this example we would need to set the MAX Virtual RAM setting BELOW 94,000. Right? Well, we also need some head room for applications storage, downloads, games, Windows updates, etc.. So we can't take all 94,000 MB just for Virtual RAM.
On this computer we calculated we would need 192GB or 192,000 MB of free drive space to utilize the MIN/MAX Virtual RAM settings. Unfortunately this machine only has ~94 GB or 94,000 MB of drive space available. So in this example we would need to set the MAX Virtual RAM setting BELOW 94,000. Right? Well, we also need some head room for applications storage, downloads, games, Windows updates, etc.. So we can't take all 94,000 MB just for Virtual RAM.
Wait, how much Virtual RAM do we already have allocated by default? By default this system already has 8GB or 8000 MB or Virtual RAM already allocated. Unfortunately, even if we subtract the already allocated 8GB from the newly calculated Max Virtual RAM setting 192GB-8GB = 184GB, we still don't have enough drive space to adjust the Virtual RAM size to an ideal setting.
Wait, how much Virtual RAM do we already have allocated by default? By default this system already has 8GB or 8000 MB or Virtual RAM already allocated. Unfortunately, even if we subtract the already allocated 8GB from the newly calculated Max Virtual RAM setting 192GB-8GB = 184GB, we still don't have enough drive space to adjust the Virtual RAM size to an ideal setting.
On this machine, you will need a larger hard drive, or set a MUCH smaller Max Virtual RAM setting.
On this machine, you will need a larger hard drive, or set a MUCH smaller Max Virtual RAM setting.
Windows 11 directions for Step #3
Windows 11 directions for Step #3
On this computer we calculated we would need 128 GB or 128,000 MB of free drive space to utilize the Min/Max Virtual RAM settings we calculated. This machine has ~847 GB or 847,000 MB of drive space available.
On this computer we calculated we would need 128 GB or 128,000 MB of free drive space to utilize the Min/Max Virtual RAM settings we calculated. This machine has ~847 GB or 847,000 MB of drive space available.
So, in this example we have plenty of head room for application storage, downloads, games, Windows updates, etc..
So, in this example we have plenty of head room for application storage, downloads, games, Windows updates, etc..
New Virtual Memory settings:
New Virtual Memory settings:
- Min Virtual RAM settings will be 64000
- Max Virtual RAM Setting will be 128000
Step #4 Change the Windows Virtual RAM settings
Step #4 Change the Windows Virtual RAM settings
Windows 11 directions for Step #4
Windows 11 directions for Step #4
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel system, and then press Enter.
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel system, and then press Enter.
Locate and Click the link named Advanced System Settings
Locate and Click the link named Advanced System Settings
Next, click Advanced, then Settings as shown below.
On the next screen locate and click the Advanced tab
On the next screen locate and click the Advanced tab
Next, click Change as shown below.
Next, click Custom Size, then Enter the Min Virtual RAM setting you calculated in the Intial size (MB) field. Next enter the Max Virtual RAM setting in the Maximum Size (MB) field.
Click OK. If you are prompted to reboot, please make sure you do so now.
That's it! Reboot and enjoy. If you have a comments, or questions. Please contact us!
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