The Windows 7 paging file does not change. How to speed up Windows by correctly setting the paging file

For some reason it doesn’t work, but in general changing the size of the paging file will somehow affect the performance of the computer, your site was suggested on the forum, I read it here, I understand that the question is most likely uninteresting for you, but I still ask you to help . Sergey.

Windows 7 increase page file

Why is Sergei uninteresting, but very interesting? I will give you the maximum information about the paging file, and you can choose what you need. IN Windows 7 increase page file in some cases it is necessary, and also transfer it from the system disk to another.
A paging file or virtual memory, as well as a swap file, is created to increase the size of available RAM. During operation, Windows 7 actively uses physical RAM; when it becomes insufficient, the operating system refers to the paging file it created on the hard drive, which always has the format pagefile.sys, using it as the missing virtual memory. And if necessary, it always refers to this file, storing in it data that does not fit into the RAM.

Note: By default, Windows 7 itself selects the size of the paging file and it is located on the disk with the operating system, but it would be better if the paging file was NOT located on the partition with Windows 7, this will improve performance. Also at the end of the article there is an example with illustrations of exactly how Enable the paging file cleanup feature when shutting down.

For your computer, the minimum size of the paging file or virtual memory should be equal to the amount of your physical RAM, and the maximum should be twice as large. For example, my computer has 2 GB of RAM, which means the minimum size of the paging file will be 2 GB, and the maximum 4 GB, exactly as in the screenshot.

Note: there is also an opinion that the size of the paging file must be strictly defined, that is, static (Initial and Maximum size are the same), under such conditions it will NOT be subject to fragmentation, which means it will not be able to slow down the loading of Windows 7. With dynamic paging file, in order to avoid a drop in performance, you need to enable the function of clearing the paging file when shutting down in the system settings. Personally, I think this does not give much of an increase in speed, as does constant defragmentation of the paging file (read on, all screenshots are given below).
Friends, recently RAM has become affordable and if you have Windows 7 (8) 64 bit installed, and the system unit has 8 GB of RAM installed, then I would advise you to set the size of the paging file By system choice. Many may object and suggest removing the page file completely, since 8 GB of physical RAM is sufficient. Personally, I advise you to experiment and if you think that your Windows runs faster without a page file, then check the box in the virtual memory settings No swap file.

In Windows 7, you can create a paging file on several disks at once, but increase productivity it won't lead. Is the sop file susceptible to fragmentation? And they ask this, the answer is not affected if its size is static and does not change, that is, you specified a certain size of the paging file, screenshots are given below.
IN Windows 7 increase page file, and you can also transfer it to any other Volume as follows.
Start -> Right-click on the Computer icon and select TV Properties, then -> Advanced System Settings.

Advanced tab ->Quick Actions and Options

and go to the Virtual Memory dialog box.

Next, we see that the paging file is located on our system drive (C:), let’s move it, for example, to drive (E):, but first remove the paging file from the drive (C:). Select the drive (C:), then check the box No swap file and click Set. This warning may appear, click Yes.

Good day, dear friends, acquaintances, readers and other individuals. Today, as you understand from the title, we will talk about what it is swap file . If you are looking for text about setting it up and .

It would seem that what’s wrong with it, because everything is simple there? That’s how it is, but not always. This is a rather useful and convenient thing that lives in the operating system precisely in order to optimize work and somehow speed it up.

Anyway, let's get to the point.

Page file - terminology

Swap file- this is a kind of addition to (which deals with temporary storage of data for quick delivery for processing) of your computer. Not so much an addition as its expansion or, one might say, continuation.

The fact is that when there is not enough RAM, the system has nowhere to go, and, of course, no one wants to freeze (and the computer is no exception), and therefore this additional memory is used in the form of a file. It would seem, why then have RAM if you can use it?

The speed of the hard drive, namely reading/loading data there and searching for it there, is much lower than the speed of RAM, and therefore the page file can only be used as an aid, but cannot be a replacement for RAM due to its lower bandwidth.

Principle of operation

The principle of the paging file itself is aimed at unloading RAM, i.e., if you simultaneously run many heavily loaded programs RAM(RAM), then one way or another, some of these programs will be inactive (minimized or simply not in use at the moment) and, as a result, their data will be unloaded into a less fast area, i.e. to the swap file, and the data of currently active programs (say, the current game) will be located directly in RAM.

When you access an inactive program (i.e., for example, expand it), the data from it will go directly into RAM in order to speed up work. In general terms it all looks something like this.

When there is an acute shortage of memory in the system, the paging file is used directly and the data of active programs is also uploaded to it. If the file is missing/too small (of course, taking into account the lack of RAM), a lot of problems can begin in the system, from complaints about the lack of memory to program/system failures.

Where should the swap file be located?

In itself, this is a delicate thing and it is possible to distribute it out of the blue, but it is pointless, because by properly configuring it you can significantly speed up the speed of work.

We remind you that we have a detailed article on sizes. Here are the basic principles for placing it on disk:

If you have several physical(i.e., not one broken into parts, but several devices in general) hard drives, then locate the swap file;
If you have one hard drive divided into partitions, then place the page file on the disk C:/ or where the system is installed. If you partitioned the disk, then on any partition other than the system one;
After you have set the size or position, you actually need reboot(however, the system will warn you about this Windows and by itself);
How to see it position? Either using the task manager, or directly on the disk, but the page file itself can be hidden (it can be seen by turning on the display of hidden files and folders on systems) and is called pagefile.sys(so as not to be deleted inadvertently).

That's all, we can move on to the afterword.

Hello, friends!
Today we will talk about the so-called swap file.
What is a paging file and why does the operating system need it?

Where is it located, how to increase the page file and should it be disabled?

In one of the previous articles, I said that the reason for the slow operation of your system may be a lack of RAM (RAM memory), here is this article. There we talked about replacing RAM as a solution to this problem, but there is also a less radical method to increase system performance. We will talk about virtual memory and the so-called pagefile.sys file, also known as the swap file.

The paging file is created by the operating system itself specifically to increase the size accessible random access memory. In other words, when your system does not have enough physical memory, it turns to this file, storing data in it that does not fit in the RAM. So to speak, to RAM put aside for a “rainy day”. The weaker your system, the more so-called “rainy days” it has. The page file is a part of the hard drive converted to the missing RAM.

Sometimes you hear the opinion that owners of more than 4 GB of RAM do not need a paging file. I do not agree with this opinion; a swap file is always needed. Some applications and system components use the page file regardless of the amount of free RAM. In addition, in the event of a serious system failure, you may deprive yourself of the opportunity to analyze this failure by analyzing a memory dump.

This information is especially important for users who lack RAM. For example, if you have only 1 GB or even 2 GB installed when using Windows 7. By increasing the page file, you will make life easier for your system and for yourself.

And now from words to deeds. Computer – right mouse button – Properties. Additional system parameters - Advanced tab, Performance section - Settings. Advanced tab – Virtual memory section – Change. For a more clear example, look at the screenshot.

Note: By default, the operating system selects the size of the paging file independently and, as a rule, it is located on the disk where Windows is installed. It is more correct and efficient to place the paging file on the disk where no operating system installed. In my case it will be drive (E:). This will allow you to get a performance boost.

Let's make more effective settings. First of all, uncheck the option – Automatically select the size of the paging file. Next, select the item – Specify size and select the Disk where the operating system is not installed. Relevant for systems where there are several hard drive partitions.

Next step. Please note that after the specified disk, the inscription remains on the disk (C:) - by system choice, This will not work. To change this, select Disk (C:) and the item - without swap file. Click Set. Next we will see this warning window. Don't panic! 🙂

Since we have already set the paging file on another drive, on drive (E:), we can safely ignore this message and click the button Yes.

A page file, or swap file, is a so-called virtual memory needed to increase the computer's physical RAM.

When running resource-intensive applications, Windows 7 actively uses physical memory, and when it becomes insufficient, it turns to a swap file, which stores data that does not fit in physical memory. The paging file has a strictly defined name pagefile.sys and cannot be changed.

When installing and further installing Windows 7, the system itself selects the required size of the paging file, placing it on the disk with the operating system. However, the parameters set by the system do not always provide the highest performance. In addition, to improve performance, it is necessary to place pagefile.sys on a partition other than the system partition, which will increase performance.

How to determine the size of the paging file

To ensure good performance, you should set the minimum pagefile.sys size to equal the amount of physical RAM, and the maximum to twice that size. For example, if you have 4 GB of memory installed on your computer, then the optimal minimum size of the swap file will be 4 GB, and the maximum will be 8 GB.

Some users set the same size of the initial and maximum swap file, which avoids its fragmentation and, therefore, reduces the load on the system to some extent. However, you can avoid the performance degradation associated with the dynamic size of pagefile.sys by enabling the pagefile.sys cleanup feature after system shutdown.

To enable paging file cleanup when Windows shuts down, open the Local Security Policies window. To do this, go to Start - Run - secpol.msc.

In the next window, you need to find the item Shut down: clear the virtual memory swap file. Double-click on it, set the Enabled option and click the Apply button.

Where to locate the swap file in Windows 7

Windows 7 allows you to place the paging file on multiple drives at once, but this will not improve performance. The optimal option from a performance point of view is a single swap file located on any partition other than the system one.

To change the default location of pagefile.sys, you must first completely delete it and then create it in a location convenient for you. How to do this is described below.

Start - right-click on the My Computer - Properties shortcut. A window will appear, in the left section of which you should select Advanced system settings.

A new small window will appear where we need the Advanced tab.

Click on the Settings button in the Performance section. Go to the Advanced tab again.

In this tab, you need to click the Change button in the Virtual memory compartment. A dialog box will appear where you can configure the size of swap files on any partition.

If you have not changed the settings after installing Windows 7, pagefile.sys will be located on the system drive ((C:/). Select it and, having activated the No paging file option, click on the Set button. In some cases, a warning may appear. Just click the button Yes.

Return to the Visual Memory dialog box and highlight the drive where you want to place the swap file. Specify the initial and maximum size of pagefile.sys: the initial size should be equal to physical memory, the maximum should be twice as large.

If you want to make the size of pagefile.sys static, the settings in the dialog box will look like this.

If you reduce the size of the paging file, the changes will take effect immediately. Increasing pagefile.sys will require a computer restart. In any case, a window will appear in front of you requiring you to reboot the system.

A client contacted us with the following problem: The computer often writes “virtual memory is running out,” especially after I work in Photoshop, and there are very voluminous works. How to increase this memory?

Solution: Sometimes there may not be enough random access memory (RAM) to launch and operate the program. In this case, Windows uses virtual memory. The physical embodiment of the swap file is the file win386.swp in the Windows directory for Win9x/ME and the file pagefile.sys in the root of the disk where the operating system is installed, for WinNT, 2000, XP? Vista, 7 and 8.

What is virtual memory and how does it work?

Virtual memory or swap file (swap file) is a combination of RAM and temporary file storage on a hard drive or hard drive. If there is not enough RAM memory, the data is moved to temporary storage called the page file. Such data movement (both to and from the paging file) allows you to free up enough RAM to perform the necessary operations.

The computer's performance depends on the amount of RAM; the more of it, the faster programs run. If there is not enough RAM, you can increase it by increasing the size of virtual memory. However, here it is necessary to take into account the fact that all data from RAM is read much faster than from a hard drive. Therefore, the best option in this situation would be to add RAM.

Sometimes error messages may pop up due to insufficient virtual memory. To ensure your software applications work properly, you must do one of the following: or .

Out of Virtual Memory Error Messages

If you receive error messages due to insufficient virtual memory, you must either add more RAM or increase the page file size to ensure your applications run properly. Typically the operating system Windows automatically controls the page file size, but if the default size is not sufficient to meet the user's needs, it can be changed manually.

How to determine the required size of the paging file?

When determining the size of a virtual memory file, it is better to proceed not from the amount of RAM, but from the tasks performed on a given computer. To do this, you need to run some kind of monitoring program that can record the volume of the swap file (for example, the “System Monitor” built into Windows) and do work typical for a given computer. The maximum size of the swap file registered during this session will be the required size.

Where to store the swap file?

If there are several hard drives in the system, then use the fastest one. If the hard drive is divided into several partitions, then on the partition located at the beginning of the disk, however, this may not work for laptops whose hard drives can arrange data not “on cylinders”, but “on surfaces”.

How to defragment the page file?

The standard Windows defragmenter cannot move the swap file. Therefore, you need to use utilities from other companies. For example, you can use Speed Disk from Norton Utilities, of course, the latest versions possible.

Constant swap file size

Windows actively uses the page file, significantly relieving the computer's RAM. Microsoft made the paging file dynamic, i.e. The file size varies depending on the needs of Windows, although the best system performance is achieved with a static file. There are many reasons for this - Windows is not required every time change swap file size, fragmentation disappears, etc. In order for its volume not to change, you need to set the minimum and maximum memory values to the same. To do this, use the instructions below.

Add virtual memory?

This procedure is most often needed by people who have little physical RAM on their computer, and who do not have the opportunity or desire to buy a new RAM, or most likely a new computer.

Sequence of actions to increase the paging file:

Right click on “Computer”
Next to “Properties”
On the left, find and click: “Advanced system settings”
Find and click: “Performance: Options”
Click "Advanced"
Find and click: “Virtual memory: Change”
Select a disk that has a lot of free space.
Select "Specify Size" below
In “Original size” put a number in the size of the RAM
In "Maximum" - 1.5 times the size of RAM
Click "Set" and then OK.

This way you will increase the computer's virtual memory to improve system performance. Perhaps this will help when the computer slows down and freezes while watching a video. It also treats computer slowdown due to the load of computer games.

Add virtual memory in Windows 7

If you receive low virtual memory warnings, you must increase the minimum page file size. Windows sets the initial minimum paging file size to the amount of installed RAM, and the maximum paging file size to three times the amount of RAM on the computer. If warnings occur when using these recommended values, you will need to increase the minimum and maximum sizes.

Open the System component. To do this, click the Start button, right-click Computer, and select Properties.
In the left pane, select Advanced system settings. If you are prompted to enter or confirm an administrator password, enter the password or provide confirmation.
On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Advanced tab and in the Virtual Memory section, click Change.
Uncheck Automatically select paging file size.
In the Disk [volume label] list, select the disk that contains the paging file that you want to resize.
Select the Specify size radio button, enter the new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Note

Typically, a reboot is not required after increasing the size. However, if you reduce the page file size, you must restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Microsoft recommends that you do not disable or delete the page file.

Tips for setting up virtual memory and paging file

If you have several hard drives, then installing the paging file on a different HDD than the operating system is installed on usually significantly speeds up performance.
If you have several hard drives, then the paging file is placed on the fastest one.
If you have several partitions on your hard drive, then the paging file should be placed on the very first one - physically located first, since access to these areas of the hard drive is the fastest.
It is best to limit the minimum size of the paging file to prevent excessive fragmentation, approximately 1-1.5 times the size of your RAM. However, if you use graphics or the computer works as a database server, then you can install 2-3 volumes of RAM.
There is practically no point in limiting the maximum volume, since this can lead to program failures due to lack of memory, and if you do limit it, then no less than 4 volumes of RAM.
After these settings, you need to restart the computer and run some kind of defragmenter (such as Norton Speed Disk) to completely defragment the page file and place it at the beginning of the partition.
Please note that after turning off the computer, the paging file may contain your passwords, logins, the rest of your confidential information, etc. This opportunity is sometimes used by people from the competent authorities and hackers, who boot into DOS and rummage through the remnants of your programs in the swap file, can find interesting things.