Hello dear readers! Today we open a series of articles about optimizing a computer on Windows OS. We'll start with something like . In this article you will find answers to such questions: Where is the paging file?; How to properly configure the swap file?; How to set the optimal paging file size for different amounts of RAM?. Go!
swap file (pagefile.sys) is a system file on the hard disk (usually on the system disk) of a computer, which serves as an addition (extension) to the RAM. This extra memory is also called the computer's virtual memory.
Virtual Memory- a method of managing computer memory for executing programs that require large amounts of RAM than is actually on the computer. Such programs get the missing RAM from the paging file. In other words, the paging file offloads RAM during periods of heavy load.
RAM is many times faster than swap file memory. If you simultaneously run several applications in the system that consume a lot of RAM, then the data of unused ones will be unloaded from RAM to a slower virtual memory. Active applications will be served directly by random access memory (RAM). Also, if, for example, a minimized application is expanded, then the data from virtual memory will again be transferred to RAM.
Competent, Proper configuration of the paging file will help significantly speed up your computer.. It would be a sin not to use it. Where can you set it up?
Up to point Performance can also be reached by entering the sysdm.cpl command at the command line Run(command prompt can be opened by pressing WIN+R).
If you did everything right, you should be in the window Virtual Memory. 
By default, in Windows 7/8/8.1/10, the size of the paging file is determined automatically by the system itself.
As you can see in the picture, the paging file can be configured for each partition (and each disk) separately. To set your swap file size:
To disable the paging file, set the switch to No swap file.
There are different versions on the account of the optimal swap file size. I will give my point of view on this subject, which is based on my observations and experiences with the swap file on various hardware. It may coincide with the opinions of some IT professionals. I am a supporter of the version that if a computer has 6-8 GB or more of RAM, then paging file can be disabled altogether. I think that large volumes of the paging file only slow down the computer. Of course, if the amount of RAM is less than 6 GB, then of course it is better to set a certain amount of additional virtual memory.
How to correctly set the size of the swap file? The minimum swap file size must be the same as the maximum. For example: 512-512 , 1024-1024 , 2048-2048 is correct padding, while 512-1024 , 1024-2048 is incorrect padding.
The same indicators of the minimum and maximum size of the paging file reduce this file, and this consequently speeds up the process of reading information from it.
Now, depending on the amount of RAM, let's see what size of the paging file you need to set. There are the following examples:
Of course, this is a subjective view and these indicators cannot be absolutely accurate, recommended, but in practice they were the ones that gave the effect. You can experiment and find the best combination for your computer. There are some notes here as well.
For example:
- Some applications require a swap file. Disabling it may cause errors in the work of such applications. If you disable virtual memory on the system drive, it will also become impossible to write a memory dump during BSOD's (Blue Screen of Death).
- If, as a rule, you minimize several applications, leaving them running, and switch to others yourself, then here you may also need a large amount of swap file, since the data of minimized applications is written to it. Although, here it all depends on the volume RAM.
If you have several physical disks on your computer, then you need to install the paging file on the fastest disk. It is believed that the swap file is divided into 2 parts:
In this case, the system during operation accesses the least loaded partition, without touching the first one.
It is also recommended to create a separate partition for the swap file, with the amount of memory equal to or close to the size of the swap file (for example, 2024 MB). This trick allows you to get rid of the fragmentation of this file.
I hope the tips in the article will help you properly configure the paging file on your computer and optimize its performance. If you have any questions, write in the comments, I will try to give exhaustive answers to them.
Not enough RAM to surf the Internet or run a modern game? Before increasing its size, try adjusting the swap file. It is possible that your PC or laptop will work much faster. Read below about what it is and how to enable the paging file in Windows 7, 8 or 10.
First, a bit of theory. The swap file is a special file that Windows refers to if the PC does not have enough current RAM to work with. Simply put, this is virtual memory, which is added to the current one, as a result of which the speed of the laptop or computer improves.
I will give a simple example. You want to enable a game that requires 4 GB of RAM. And you only have 3 GB. What to do in this case? Increase virtual memory and Windows will “take” the missing 1 GB from this special file. In this way, you can launch the game and play it.
Of course, there are several points here:
For this:
This is where virtual memory is configured. As a rule, the currently used size is already indicated here (in the screenshot below it is 8173 MB, i.e. 8 GB). To increase virtual memory in Windows 7, click the Change button.
The same window will appear where you can configure the paging file.
If the PC or laptop slows down, then there is not enough RAM and it needs to be increased. First, uncheck this box. All buttons will become active, and you can enable the paging file in Windows 7 and configure it to your liking. To do this, check the box next to the line "Specify size" and write down the initial and max. volume. For example - 4096 MB (this is 4 GB).
Important: in order to avoid brakes and glitches, the original and max. size must be the same. For example, 4096 MB (as in the screenshot above).
By the way, what is the optimal swap file size? There are a lot of tips on this issue on the Internet, and the calculation formulas are also intricate.
The best option would be to increase the virtual memory of the computer by 50% of the amount of your RAM. That is, the swap file for 4 GB will be 2048 MB. And for 8 GB of RAM, you can specify 4096 MB. As a result, the total memory will be 6 and 12 GB, respectively - this should be enough for all occasions.
If your PC has a lot of RAM installed (for example, 8 GB), and you work only on the Internet, then you can disable the paging file altogether. After all, as I said above, it loads the hard drive, which sometimes slows down the PC.
However, this is not recommended. Perhaps after a while you want to start a game or video processing, and an error pops up that there is not enough memory. And most likely, you will safely forget about virtual memory. As a result, spend a lot of nerves before you fix this problem.
In general, if you need to increase virtual memory in Windows 7, specify it manually. And if you need to restore the previous values, check the very first item and close this window.
In Windows 7, 8, XP, and 10 systems, there is a system, hidden pagefile.sys file called the paging file. It is used as virtual RAM ( RAM) supplementing the physical when it is not enough. Users are wondering how to set it correctly and what is its optimal size? This will be discussed in this article.
It also stores unused data of programs and applications ( for example, when they are folded and unused). Since the file is located on the hard disk, all accesses to it are directly related to the disk, which is much slower than RAM. Therefore, the system uses it only in extreme cases ( that is, when there is not enough physical RAM).
There is no universal instruction for correctly setting the size of this file, since everyone's computer resources are spent differently, and PC characteristics are also different. Therefore, you need to focus on your needs.
If you disable the paging file, then if there is not enough RAM, a corresponding error will appear and the applications used will unexpectedly terminate their work. To avoid this, you need to set the optimal size of the paging file. I will show you how to do this using Windows 7 as an example. These instructions will be relevant for other versions and bit depths ( x32 and x64).
By default, Windows automatically determines its size using its own formula. This is not always effective. In some cases, changing the swap file can greatly improve performance.
You need to determine how much RAM you consume when working on a PC. Then you need to compare this data with the physical amount of RAM and, if it is lacking, supplement it with the size of the swap file. I will show you with an example how this can be done.
Launch all possible programs, applications, games and everything that theoretically you would use at the same time. Then start the task manager ( ctrl+alt+delete), and see the amount of memory used. This is the amount of RAM that needs to be given to the computer.
Based on these data, you can set the optimal size. In the image above, the memory consumption is 1.60 gigabytes. At a maximum of 2. This means that the paging file is not used in this case and can be disabled. But this is just an example!
Disabling the paging file is generally not recommended, but you should only do this if you are sure that you will not be able to use more memory than the amount of physical memory and if memory dumps are unnecessary. It should also be borne in mind that some applications require the mandatory presence of this file and will not work without it.
If the value were greater than the maximum ( i.e. more than 2), then it would be necessary to set the size equal to the amount of consumed memory + headroom ( 50% ). Approximately such numbers will be safe. In most cases, it is not possible to know exactly this maximum, and therefore approximate rules are used that insure against RAM shortage errors.
The less physical, RAM, the more virtual. Below is a table that shows the values if the computer did not use more than 4 gigabytes of RAM.
It all depends on the needs of the user. For some, 16 gigabytes may not be enough, but for some, even 1 gigabyte will be enough and no errors will occur.
Note that the maximum and minimum sizes are set to the same. This is done in order to get rid of fragmentation. Only relevant if you have an HDD.
You can also conduct an experiment "at random". Reduce the size of the paging file until an out-of-memory error occurs and stops at the size when it was not there.
After reading various forums, I came to the conclusion that with 8 gigabytes of RAM, most users never had problems with the swap file, and if they did, they simply turned it on at the minimum size. In other cases ( when there is less memory) were common errors. Draw your own conclusions.
For novice users, I will show you how to change it. You must restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Go to Start Menu >> Control Panel ( large icons) >> Counters and performance tools.
Go to visual effects settings.
In the "Advanced" tab, you can go to the paging file settings window. This indicates its size or complete shutdown.
Ready to answer questions in the comments.
How did you decide to use the swap file?
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A swap file, or swag file, is a software addition to RAM that helps the system run faster if the main RAM is occupied by more important processes. RAM, as we understand it, can be installed differently on different devices, so the question arises, what should be the optimal size of the paging file, in our case, for Windows 10.
The correct setting of the size of the swag file should be based on the formula "the more RAM, the smaller the swap file should be, respectively." This rule will allow
Some experts insist that for 8 GB of RAM, the optimal size of the FP should be zero, in other words, completely removed. But this is not entirely correct advice, do not forget that some working applications will require you to have a swap file without fail.
A little lower we will familiarize ourselves with a small table, where approximate values \u200b\u200bare indicated to calculate what size and at what volume to install. Why exemplary? When answering the question “how to correctly set the paging file on Windows 10”, additional factors must be taken into account, such as the purpose for which the device is used. The maximum size of the FP for a gaming computer and a simple workhorse will vary somewhat - RAM is used in these cases in different ways.
Have you thought about? Detailed instructions are available on our website.
This method will just help in optimizing the system for the gaming process, for example, calculate the size of the paging file for Windows 10 with 4 GB of RAM for games.
If you are not a supporter of all these calculations, you need a ready-made solution on how to choose the size of the swap file, then consider the average data (if you are an average PC user):
Once again, we will make a reservation - the data are approximate and depend on the circumstances. About how, you can read with us.
