Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Available Virtual Memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you're constantly running low, you should look at what you're running.
My PC tells me I don't have enough virtual memory. What do I need to do to get more?
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The amount of virtual memory your computer has available is controlled by a simple setting.
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You didn't indicate what operating system you are running. On Windows XP, look in Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance, Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory. I believe it's in a similar location in other versions of Windows.
IMPORTANT: usually running out of virtual memory means that you are running too many programs at the same time for your system or one of them is attempting to use too much memory. You might also want to check out what's running when this happens and how much memory each program is using.
Article C2282 - February 14, 2005 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
September 9, 2010 7:09 PM
Please suggest the calculation of virtual memory increasing with example. My computer has 500GB HDD and 1GB RAM and 2.21 GHz Processor.
October 21, 2010 12:03 PM
I would just like to add that because the computer often adds and removes info from the page files in virtual memory, they are constantly growing and shrinking. Such process can cause files to become fragmented hence, slowing down the machine. By managing virtual memory settings, we can optimize performance of the computer and be able to use the RAM and virtual memory in the most efficient way.
December 27, 2010 8:12 PM
sir what's the best for my computer in Virtual Memory settings.. I'm windows xp sp3 ,120gd HDD,1.6GHz, 512MB RAM.. tnx happy new year..
28-Dec-2010
March 19, 2011 7:02 AM
I was always told to do initial size as 1.5 times your total ram. So if you have 1gig of ram, times that by 1.5. (1.5gig)
Max supposedly is 3 times your total ram. So if you got 1 gig of ram, x that by 3 (3gigs)
so INITIAL - 1024 x 1.5 = 1536megs
And Max - 1024 x 3 = 3072 (most use 3070)
This is a generic default people typically use. Each users computer and demands may require you to change to suit or find that sweet spot.
Hope this helps!
March 24, 2011 5:19 AM
Shorter answer is described in zdnet article, alsot the tools how to measure the usage of virtual memory:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/windows-7-memory-usage-whats-the-best-way-to-measure/1786
For understanding what is virtual memory and how it works, for me is the best description given by Mrk Russonivich (it's also mentioned in Zdnet's article):
http://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/archive/2008/11/17/3155406.aspx
Both of these also kick the butt of the urban myth of virtual memory = 1,5*amount of RAM or 1,2* or 1,25* etc