How to Increase a Computer's Virtual Memory

A computer's virtual memory is an area of the operating system that holds some or all of an application in a virtual environment while that particular task is accomplished. When the computer has released the application, that portion of memory is also released to the computer system for use elsewhere. Windows-based PCs allow the user to increase, decrease or even disable the computer's virtual memory.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Allow the computer to start up normally so that it frees up any virtual memory in the system. Once the computer has started determine that no other programs or applications are running by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC. This opens the Windows Task Manager and displays any running programs.
2. Navigate to the computer's Control Panel. Once there, click the System icon and then onto the Advanced System settings.
3. Click on the Settings button within the Performance area of the screen to navigate to the performance options menu.
4. Open the Advanced tab within the performance menu and locate the Virtual Memory portion of the menu. Adjust the Virtual Memory requirements. Restart the system for the changes to take effect.
5. Increase or decreases the amount of Virtual Memory needed to run applications or programs that require large amounts of memory. Running several programs at once taxes virtual memory. Larger amounts of physical memory assist in the data execution of the virtual memory.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase the amount of virtual memory when the computer seems slow or running several programs at the same time becomes sluggish.
• Try to keep the virtual memory size approximately one and a half times what the PC's physical memory is.

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