For the operation of 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 of its physical RAM memory.
Windows determines the paging file settings automatically by default. But sometimes changing the paging file manually can help the user optimize the system. In some cases, it is advisable to completely disable the paging file. In some situations, it is best to do nothing and let the system continue to automatically determine the size of the swap file. Below we will figure out how to configure the paging file according to the features of using the computer, as well as its characteristics.
How to increase or decrease the paging file in Windows 7/8/10
Before talking about exactly what file size is optimal for different scenarios, we want to explain how you can change this size or disable the use of virtual memory of the operating system.To configure 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 " Additionally", then press the button" Parameters”, located in the section “ Performance' and then again select the ' Additionally". After that, you should go to the section " Virtual Memory' and press the key there Change».
Here you can configure the desired virtual memory settings:
- Increase or decrease the paging file;
- Disable virtual memory.
How to properly configure the swap file?
In some articles on Windows optimization, there are recommendations for disabling the paging file if the RAM size is 8 or 6 gigabytes. It is also recommended to use automatic swap file size selection in them. These tips are based on the following. If the paging file is disabled, the computer will not use its hard disk 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 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 paging file, which will increase the life of the solid state drive.
We believe that when adjusting the paging file, one should focus primarily not on the size of RAM, but on the features of using the computer, otherwise there is a high probability of a message about a lack of memory.
If your computer device has 8 gigabytes of RAM installed, and you use your computer mainly for browsing various sites, as well as a few games, disabling the paging file is most likely the right solution (although there is a possibility of 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 you will definitely need a swap file in the process of your work. . What's more, by disabling the page file, you run the risk of unexpectedly losing documents that you haven't saved, as well as files when you run out of memory.
If you cannot determine how much RAM you need and what should be the optimal page file size, we recommend that you do the following: 
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.
Today, it is probably difficult to find a user of modern computer systems running Windows (and Win7 in particular) who would somehow not encounter the concept of a paging file (it is denoted as Pagefile.sys and is a system one). Let's see what it actually is, and also determine its best size to optimize system performance. What is the optimal size of Windows 7 is recommended to be installed now and will be clarified.
What is a swap file?
Let's start with a little theory. Actually, the paging file itself, which is present in any Windows operating system, is, as it were, an additional means of increasing the size of the computer's RAM, when its own volume is not enough to perform some "heavy" tasks in terms of system resources or process large amounts of data (for example, floating-point calculations, which are mostly related to modern games and multimedia applications).
In fact, this file contains all the "junk" that must be processed if there is not enough RAM. In other words, the object itself is responsible for reserving hard disk space for certain operations. In other words, when the "RAM" is too overloaded, the data is dumped to the hard drive, where processing takes place.
But here it is important to understand one main aspect: the fact is that the system accesses RAM much faster than a hard disk, if it has an arbitrarily fast spindle speed (which, by the way, determines the speed of reading data). Unfortunately, Windows 7 determines the optimal size of the paging file on its own. And this is not always good.
The fact is that the developers of the system itself tried to set the size of the reserved space, so to speak, in a certain universal version for all possible configurations. But if you take into account the features of the installed equipment (often even non-standard), many problems can arise here. The Windows 7 paging file itself, the optimal size of which is set by the “OS” itself, may not be able to cope with the tasks assigned to it. But more on that later.
Accessing paging file resizing features and ways to optimize
Setting and changing the size of the file itself are made in the standard "Control Panel". There, the settings and security section is initially selected, then the "System" menu. On the left side of the window there is a hyperlink to additional options. By clicking on it, you can access the main settings window. Here the "Advanced" tab is used and the transition to changing the settings is carried out by pressing the "Parameters" button.
Here, again, there is an "Advanced" tab, in the menu of which there is a line "Virtual memory" and a button "Change". Click it and proceed to the settings.
You can immediately see that the default size is set to a certain size, since the auto-select line is involved. Now we uncheck it and try to change the set size at our discretion. This is where the tricks start.
The fact is that some users have a firmly rooted opinion that a larger set dimension will contribute to faster data processing. Absolute nonsense! If the given size is too large, the system will simply start to ignore the RAM and more and more accesses the reserved area of the hard disk. And this, as already mentioned, happens at a speed less than when accessing the "RAM". But the system itself, when using RAM, is able to reserve about 30% of the resources in order not to access the swap file.
Why you need to change the parameters and settings of the paging file
Now let's look at the optimal size of the Windows 7 x64 paging file for playing games or for performing some resource-intensive operations. In principle, in this case (architecture 32 or 64 bits) in general, it does not play a role. If someone has not yet understood, it all depends only on the number of installed “RAM” strips, that is, its volume.
In general, many experts do not recommend setting the size too large, but in most cases it is not worth disabling the swap file (unless you have more than 8 GB of RAM). The best solution would be to manually set the size to half of the existing standard value. Microsoft experts do not advise doing such things, believing that this will damage the entire system as a whole. As practice shows, nothing of the kind is observed. You can generally disable the use of the reserve area of the hard drive, and this will not affect the health or performance of the system in any way. By the way, even a game launched from a hard disk (and not from an optical media) will not generate errors, and the processing of the same three-dimensional graphics will be much faster.
Windows 7: Optimal Swap File Size (Common Standards)
Now let's look at the generally accepted parameters offered for the size of the swap file in the "seven". To do this, just take a look at the following table.
As can be seen from the above data, the more RAM sticks are installed, the smaller the disk space reserve is. However, if we talk about some specific tasks or modern games, these parameters can be changed (it all depends on the requirements of the application itself, as well as on the existing configuration).
Standards are standards, but the question naturally arises: should we adhere to generally accepted rules?
You should immediately pay attention to user reviews. So, for example, many argue that the optimal size of the Windows 7 x32 paging file (4 GB of “RAM”) can be set below the default value, or even disable the use of the reserve altogether. But that's not all. Even if you have only 1-2 GB of "RAM" (if you work, say, only with office documents), you should not use the swap file at all. Turning it on will only bring harm, because, as is already clear, the system will access the hard drive more often than the “RAM”, which, in turn, can cause quite a strong “braking”.
Optimal paging file size Windows 7 (x64): real use
In principle, if you look at it, such applications work quite efficiently, allowing you to properly change the settings and set the optimal paging file size for the same Windows 7 system, however, provided that you run it as an administrator.
What is the result?
In conclusion, it remains to add that the above actions should be taken only at your own peril and risk. Although in Windows 7 the optimal size of the paging file, by and large, does not play a special role (most often modern computer systems have a fairly powerful configuration), nevertheless, it is not recommended to change its size, say, upwards. The easiest way is to just turn it off, nothing bad will happen, believe me.
For some reason, it doesn’t work, but in general, changing the size of the swap file will somehow affect the speed 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 still I ask you to help . Sergei.
windows 7 increase swap file
Why is Sergei uninteresting, very interesting. I will give you the maximum information about the swap file, and you already choose what you need. IN windows 7 increase swap file in some cases, it is necessary, as well as to 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 accesses the paging file created by it on the hard disk, which always has the pagefile.sys format, using it as the missing virtual memory. And if necessary, it always refers to this file, storing data in it that does not fit into the RAM.
- Note: By default, Windows 7 itself chooses 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 is NOT located on the partition with Windows 7, this will add speed. Also at the end of the article is an example with illustrations of exactly how enable the function of clearing the paging file at shutdown.
For your computer, the minimum page file or virtual memory size should be equal to the amount of your physical RAM, and the maximum should be twice that. For example, I have 2 GB of RAM in my computer, which means that 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 at shutdown in the system settings, I personally think that this does not give a special increase in speed, as well as the 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 8 GB of RAM is installed in the system unit, then I would advise you to set the swap file size System choice. Many may object and suggest removing the paging file altogether, since 8 GB of physical RAM is enough. Personally, I advise you to experiment, and if it seems to you that your Windows is running faster without a paging file, then in the virtual memory settings, check the item No swap file.
In Windows 7, you can create a swap file on multiple drives at once, but performance increase it won't. Is the handout 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 swap file, the screenshots are given below.
IN windows 7 increase swap file, and you can also transfer it to any other Volume as follows.
Start ->Right click on the Computer icon and select Properties, then-> Additional system settings.
Advanced Tab ->Quick Action 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 transfer it, for example, to the 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. A warning may appear, click Yes.
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:
- Increasing virtual memory can slow down your computer. After all, the speed of access to the RAM is much faster than to the hard disk (namely, the paging file is stored on it).
- Using this function creates unnecessary load on the HDD and shortens its operation time.
How to increase virtual memory in Windows 7
For this:
- Go to Start - Control Panel - System.
- Click on "Add. parameters".
- Find the "Performance" section and click on "Settings".
- In the new window, select the "Advanced" tab.
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.
Hello, friends! Today I want to tell you what a paging file is, why it is needed, and how to configure it correctly.
I will configure the paging file on a computer with an installed operating system Windows 7. But all the tips also apply to Windows XP, it's just that the path to the settings is a little different.
What is a swap file?
swap file - this is a file (hard disk space) that the operating system uses in case of lack of RAM.
For example, you run a program or game that needs 2 GB of RAM, and you only have 1.5 GB, so those 512 MB will be taken from the swap file. The paging file is located on the hard disk or flash drive.
Of course, it is better to install more RAM so that the page file is practically not used by the system. Why? Yes, because it significantly slows down the computer. After all, the speed of access to RAM is much greater than to a hard drive or flash drive.
Yes, and when the paging file is taken from the hard drive, this creates an additional load on it and on the system as a whole, and besides, it reduces its service life. How :).
But in spite of all this, there is a swap file and that means you just need to configure it correctly, below I will give some tips on setting up the swap file.
In order to change the paging file settings, or increase the paging file, right-click on the “Computer” icon (on the desktop) and click properties.
In the window that appears on the left, click on “Advanced system settings” in section “Performance” click "Options".
In the window that appears, go to the tab "Additionally" and in the section "Virtual Memory" click "Change".
Another window will open like this.
Actually in this window you can and should configure the paging file.
First of all, you need to remove the paging file from the system partition (usually from the C drive), as you can see, my paging file is located on the D drive. The disk partition with the installed operating system is already loaded, and here is the swap file :). Ideally, the paging file should be placed on another hard drive altogether, so if you have one installed, then this is very good. Install virtual memory on it.
Do not install the page file on several partitions, this will only create a large load on the hard drive.
As for the size, everything is simple here. The less RAM, the larger the swap file. It is recommended to set 2-3 times more than the installed RAM. For example, with 1.5 GB of RAM, I have 2 GB of the swap file.
Make the minimum and maximum virtual memory sizes the same.
You can completely disable the paging file, and by the way, this can significantly increase the performance of your computer. But only if you have enough RAM installed, something like this.
