Setting Virtual Memory

• The exact method for setting virtual memory may vary slightly depending on which version of Windows OS you are using, but the basic directions are the same. The detailed directions included below are for Windows XP.
  
  Begin by right-clicking on the "My Computer" icon either on the desktop or in the Start menu. Click the "Advanced" tab on the System Properties box. At the top, the label "Performance" will list several functions, including "Virtual Memory." Click the button under that label. On the Performance Options box that opens, click the "Advanced" tab (a second tab). "Virtual Memory" will be at the bottom of the pane. You can set virtual memory at the recommended size or at a custom size, depending on the amount of actual memory your computer has and the functions you regularly perform on your computer.
  
  

Virtual Memory Guidelines

• Depending on how much physical random access memory (RAM) your computer has and how many programs you have installed, your computer may rely more or less heavily on virtual memory. If you receive frequent messages that your computer has "too little virtual memory," this is a sign that your allotted space for the paging file is too small. Use the directions listed above to increase the size of the virtual memory. Try the recommended size to see if the "too little virtual memory" messages decrease or stop altogether. The default is usually 1.5 times the size of the physical memory for virtual memory. If that's not enough, try increasing virtual memory to 2 times the size of the physical memory.
  
  While using paging files is a regular computer function, frequent messages to increase virtual memory should serve as an alert to increase the actual RAM for the computer, if possible. Increasing RAM minimizes the wear and stress placed on the hard drive by frequent paging file actions; hard drives are, along with batteries, frequently the first hardware portion of a computer to fail. However, if your computer is already at maximum RAM capacity, or additional RAM simply is not in the budget, try running fewer programs in the background. This can be done by stopping the programs in Task Manager. Open Task Manager to the Processes tab and click "End Process" on the program you want to stop. Do not stop a program in Task Manager unless you are absolutely sure you know what it is. Uninstalling programs you don't use can also decrease the need for virtual memory.