Optimal size of the Windows 7 paging file. Setting up virtual memory

Proper optimization of a computer allows it to quickly cope with assigned tasks, even with not the most powerful hardware. One of the most important optimization points with a small amount of RAM is setting up the paging file. Most users leave it up to Windows to determine what page file size to use to keep their computer running perfectly. This approach is fundamentally wrong, and setting up the paging file yourself will increase system performance.

What is the Windows paging file and why is it needed?

Every computer has RAM installed, the purpose of which is to temporarily store data for quick access by the processor. The hard drive can also act as storage for quick access to data, but its speed is much lower than that of RAM. The paging file is an area of the hard drive allocated for temporary storage of information. When free RAM runs out, the computer will write information to the paging file, and then can read it from there.

If we consider the operation of the paging file as an example, we can note the following scenario. When running several applications that actively consume RAM, some of them will be inactive (minimized). In such a situation, there is no point in storing them in RAM, thereby loading free space, and the Windows operating system will transfer inactive programs to the page file. Active programs will be in RAM in order to be processed faster. When the user accesses a previously inactive program, its data will be moved from the page file to RAM, and some information from RAM will be sent to the page file.

When your computer does not have enough RAM to store data and the page file is not enabled or configured incorrectly, applications may crash or blue screens of death may appear when you try to run a productive program.

How to choose the right page file size

As noted above, the paging file is free space on the hard drive that is used to store data for quick access. Large-capacity hard drives are inexpensive, and you might get the impression that if you set a large page file size on a fast HDD or SSD storage, you can minimize the amount of RAM installed in your computer, but this is not the case.

As practice shows, the Windows operating system, with a large paging file and little constantly occupied RAM, will access the hard drive more often. This will lead to the following consequences:

Accordingly, on each computer build you need to select the correct paging file size. By default, Windows is set to allow the operating system to independently choose how much memory to allocate to the paging file. This optimization method is not ideal, and it is better for the user to independently adjust the amount of allocated memory.

The correct choice of paging file size is influenced by many factors: the number of applications running simultaneously on the computer, the resource intensity of the tasks being performed, the number of programs running in the background, and much more. But first of all, you should focus on the amount of RAM installed in the computer, based on the following postulate: the less RAM in the computer, the larger the paging file should be.

If we take the average figures for the paging file size for computers, we can name the following values:

1 GB of RAM: paging file – 2048-2048 MB;
2 GB of RAM: paging file – 1512-1512 MB;
4 GB of RAM: paging file – 1024-1024 MB;
8 GB of RAM or more: no swap file needed.

By eliminating the paging file when you have a large amount of RAM, you increase the speed of your computer. This is due to the fact that the operating system does not have to access the disk, and all temporary data will be stored in RAM.

As you can see above, the size of the paging file is indicated in two numbers, for example, 1024-1024 MB. This is due to the fact that in Windows settings you can set the initial size of the paging file and the maximum one. On older computers, where hard drives did not exceed tens of gigabytes in size, it made sense to set the initial paging file size lower than the maximum. Now that disk space is not so expensive, it is better to choose identical values for both columns. This is due to the following factors:

Similarly, the fragmentation of the hard disk partition allocated for the swap file is reduced;
The Windows operating system does not have to constantly recalculate the size of the paging file. Due to this, the number of disk accesses from the system is reduced, which improves the overall performance of the computer.

Important: Some applications in the Windows operating system require a paging file to be installed. If the computer is running without a page file, programs may simply not start. In such situations, the system will notify you of this, and you will need to make appropriate changes to your computer settings.

How to increase or decrease the page file

The paging file settings can be made on any version of the Windows operating system. To do this, go to the virtual memory settings menu:

Important: If you have multiple hard drives installed on your computer, it is recommended that you create the paging file on something other than system media. An exception to this rule can only be if the system drive is a solid-state drive (SSD) with high operating speeds compared to other computer hard drives.

You will need to restart your computer for changes you make to the paging file size to take effect.

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 drives 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.

RAM is one of the key elements of any computer. It is in it that every moment a huge number of calculations necessary for the operation of the machine take place. The programs with which the user is currently interacting are also loaded there. However, its volume is clearly limited, and it is often not enough to launch and operate “heavy” programs, which is why the computer begins to freeze. To assist RAM, a large special file called a “swap file” is created on the system partition.

It often has a significant volume. To evenly distribute the resources of the working program, some of them are transferred to the paging file. We can say that it is an addition to the computer's RAM, significantly expanding it. Balancing the ratio of RAM and page file sizes helps to achieve good computer performance.

Changing the paging file size in the Windows 7 operating system

It is a misconception that increasing the size of the paging file leads to increasing RAM. It's all about the speed of writing and reading - RAM boards are tens and hundreds of times faster than a regular hard drive or even a solid-state drive.

To increase the paging file, you will not need to use third-party programs; all actions will be performed by the built-in tools of the operating system. To perform the instructions below, the current user must have administrator rights.

Double click on the shortcut "My computer" on the computer desktop. In the header of the window that opens, click the button once "Open Control Panel."

In the upper right corner, change the display parameters of elements to "Small Icons". In the list of settings presented, you need to find the item "System" and click on it once.

In the window that opens, in the left column we find the item "Advanced system settings", click on it once, answer the question issued by the system with consent.

A window will open "Properties of the system". You must select a tab "Additionally", in it in the section "Performance" press the button once "Options".

After clicking, another small window will open, in which you also need to go to the tab "Additionally". In chapter "Virtual memory" click on the button "Change".

Finally, we got to the last window, which directly contains the settings of the paging file itself. Most likely, by default there will be a checkmark at the top "Automatically select paging file size". You need to remove it and then select "Specify size" and enter your details. After this you need to press the button "Set"

After all the manipulations you need to press the button "OK". The operating system will ask you to reboot; you must follow its requirements.

A little about choosing a size. Different users have put forward different theories about the required size of the paging file. If we calculate the arithmetic average of all opinions, then the most optimal size will be equal to 130-150% of the amount of RAM.

Correctly changing the paging file should slightly increase the stability of the operating system by distributing the resources of running applications between RAM and the paging file. If the machine has 8+ GB of RAM installed, then most often the need for this file simply disappears, and it can be disabled in the last settings window. A swap file 2-3 times larger than the amount of RAM will only slow down the system due to the difference in data processing speed between the RAM sticks and the hard drive.

Increasing the available amount of RAM is the main task performed by the page file in Windows. Now we will understand all the intricacies of its operation, and see how it should be configured correctly in the operating system.

What is the Windows page file

All the necessary data for the current calculations that your central processor carries out is received and sent to RAM. It acts as a storage unit that contains the data necessary for the processor to run active programs and applications. By the way, don't forget - it will work faster.

But we digress. Let's return to RAM. What unpleasant property does she have? In most cases it is not enough. Even despite the fact that now every home computer has several gigabytes of RAM available. Still not enough. Modern programs and games require a very large amount of memory to function properly. And if you simultaneously run a program for processing video or sound, and then start playing, then it’s a real disaster.

It is the swap file that helps solve this problem. At least partially, which is already good. It works according to the following algorithm. There is no point in storing data that is used by inactive programs directly in RAM, wasting valuable megabytes. While the program is minimized, or you are not using it (but it is still running), all its data will be moved to the page file. Thus, RAM will be available for working with current tasks - from here.

A logical question immediately arises. Why not make a huge page file - thus completely eliminating problems with lack of RAM. Unfortunately, it won't work. And that's why.

The paging file is located on the logical drives of your computer, reserving a certain amount of disk space for itself. By the way, you configure it manually, but more on that a little later. It follows from this that the computer uploads data from programs and applications to the hard drive. And accordingly, when he needs them, he tries to move them (read - copy) into RAM. No matter how expensive and modern a hard drive is, its data processing speed (reading and copying) is much lower than that of RAM. That is why it is not possible to simply expand it using the swap file. But please post the data of inactive programs.

What is the optimal size for the paging file?

It is worth noting that when choosing a size, you are limited only by the available space on the logical disk - after all, we can place our own copy of the paging file on each of them.

But there are optimal values. Here they are - on the left is the original amount of RAM, on the right is the optimal size for the paging file.

512 Mb - 2248-2248 Mb
1024 Mb - 1712-1712 Mb
2048 Mb - 1224-1224 Mb
4024 Mb - 768-768 Mb
6 GB (or higher) - without swap file (i.e. 0 Mb, i.e. disabled)

Why indicate the same sizes?

Here we pursue two goals. First, if you specify a fixed size, Windows won't have to periodically waste resources figuring out the current value. This will reduce service operations, and in general will increase the performance of the system (albeit not much).

Secondly, if you specify a different size, you will cause the page file to fragment. And this again costs resources. Not to mention the need for defragmentation.

How to configure or change the page file size

We need to go to the editing window. To do this, click " Start - Control Panel - System". We will go to the information window about our system.

Next we click on the line " Advanced System Settings". A dialog box will open - here we need the "Advanced" tab. Go to it. Here in the first block "Performance", we click the "Options" button. In the next window, again go to the "Advanced" tab, and in the block " Virtual memory", click the " Change " button.

To make it easier for you to navigate, the entire process is shown in the picture below:

If you did everything correctly in the previous step, then a window for editing paging file parameters should open.

Let's see what we have here.

At the very top we can check the box "Automatically select the size of the paging file." If you're not sure what value to set, or don't have this guide handy, you can let Windows decide for itself.

The most interesting block is setting the size. Here we specify the desired value and then click the set button. Let's note, for example, that we need a swap file on drive "C" of 2 GB in size.

Select drive "C" in the list, then select "Specify size". Now in both fields write 2048 (exactly 2 GB), and click the "Set" button. That's it, you can check the result. The list opposite drive "C" shows that the value of the paging file is 2048 MB.

Now save the settings and restart your computer.

Video: changing the paging file size in Windows

If you are not sure, leave the choice of paging file size to the discretion of Windows.

If during the process of setting up your computer you disrupted the system, use the tool.

Conclusion

But I would like to point out. If you are experiencing the problem of lack of RAM, do not be lazy and purchase an additional memory card - fortunately, it is inexpensive now.

, when assembling a computer
How to do

To operate Windows operating systems, a paging file is used, which is a kind of virtual memory of the computer, which is an extension of its physical RAM. This paging file ensures the functioning of computer programs in cases where there is not enough physical RAM memory.
Windows, by default, detects paging file settings automatically. But sometimes manually changing the paging file can help the user optimize the system. In some cases, it is advisable to completely disable the page file. In some situations, it is best to do nothing and let the system continue to automatically determine the size of the paging file. Below we will figure out how to configure the paging file according to the particular use of the computer, as well as its characteristics.

How to increase or decrease the paging file in Windows 7/8/10

Before we talk about what file size is optimal for different scenarios, we want to explain how you can change this size or disable the use of operating system virtual memory.

To configure the paging file settings, go to “System Properties” (“ My computer» right click - « Properties"), and then select "System protection" from the list that appears.

You can do this faster by pressing “ Win+R" and then entering the command sysdm.cpl (suitable for Windows 7/8/10).

Open the "" tab in the dialog box Additionally", then click on the button " Options", located in the section " Performance" and then select the " tab again Additionally" After this, you should go to the section “ Virtual memory" and press the " Change».

Here you can configure the necessary virtual memory parameters:

Increase or decrease the paging file;
Disable virtual memory.

Next, we’ll figure out exactly what size of the paging file is most suitable for Windows.

How to properly configure the paging file?

In some articles devoted to Windows optimization, there are recommendations regarding disabling the page file if the RAM size is 8 or 6 gigabytes. They also recommend using automatic selection of the paging file size. These tips are based on the following. If the paging file is disabled, the computer will not use its hard drive as additional memory. This will increase the speed of the operating system (the computer's RAM is many times faster). By manually specifying the exact size of the paging file (it is recommended that the initial and maximum sizes be the same), we will free up disk space and be able to save the operating system from having to adjust the size of this file.

Note: when using an SSD drive, it is advisable to install the maximum possible amount of RAM and completely disable the page file, which will increase the life of the solid-state drive.

We believe that when regulating the paging file, you should primarily focus not on the size of RAM, but on the peculiarities of using the computer, otherwise there is a high probability that a message about insufficient memory will appear.

If your computing device has 8 gigabytes of RAM, and you use your computer mainly for browsing various sites and also a few games, disabling the page file is likely the right solution (although there is a possibility that you will see an insufficient memory message).

If you use your computer to edit photos using professional programs, work with three-dimensional or vector graphics, design rocket engines and houses, and also use virtual machines, eight gigabytes of RAM will not be enough for you, so during your work you will definitely need a page file . Moreover, by disabling the paging file, you risk unexpectedly losing documents you have not saved, as well as files if a memory shortage occurs.

If you cannot determine how much RAM you need and what the optimal page file size should be, we recommend following these steps:

On the Internet you can find recommendations that differ from the option proposed above. You must decide for yourself which of these recommendations you will follow.