What Is Virtual Memory on My Computer?

Virtual memory on a computer is actually disk space. This is a process so that when your computer runs out of random access memory (RAM), it will use the disk to provide memory so the programs can continue to run.

Warnings

If you receive error messages that say your computer is low on virtual memory, you need to purchase and install more RAM or a larger hard drive.

Size

On most personal computers, the amount of hard drive space that will be used for virtual memory can be set by changing the size of the paging file.

Function

Virtual memory is only needed and used by a computer when the physical memory (RAM) is too low to contain all the running programs.

Effects

Virtual memory is always considerably slower than RAM because it relies on reading and writing to the disk instead of just charging electrons.

Identification

When your computer starts running low on RAM, virtual memory can be seen to be in use due to the repeated accessing of the hard drive while using applications that are not using the hard drive.

References

• What is Virtual Memory?