Virtual memory is like a backup helper for your computer’s brain (RAM). When the RAM gets too full, Windows 11 uses some of your hard drive space to keep things running smoothly. Sometimes, you might want to move this virtual memory to a different drive, maybe because you want things to run faster or you’re running out of space. Here’s how you can do it in a no-sweat way.
Also see: How to Delete Pagefile.sys in Windows 11
Page Contents
What is virtual memory or pagefile?
First off, let’s get what virtual memory really is. It’s like a file on your hard drive that Windows uses as extra RAM when the actual RAM is all used up. It’s a handy trick but it’s not as fast as real RAM.
Choosing the right drive for virtual memory
Speed considerations: You’ll want your virtual memory on the quickest drive you have. If that’s not the drive where Windows is installed (often the C: drive), you might think about moving it to a faster SSD if you have one.
Space constraints: If your SSD is small and almost full, you might not want a big pagefile hogging all the space. That’s something to think about before deciding where to put it.
Impact on SSD lifespan: Some people worry that using an SSD for virtual memory might wear it out faster. But, with today’s SSDs, that’s not really something to lose sleep over. These drives are pretty tough.
Pro tip: How to Allocate More RAM to a Game in Windows 11 or 10
Should you move your virtual memory to another drive?
For a lot of us, sticking with the automatic setup where Windows figures out the pagefile stuff is just fine. But, if you’re short on SSD space or have special needs for your computer, you might want to make some changes.
How to move virtual memory (pagefile) to a different drive in Windows 11
Here’s a simple guide to move your virtual memory somewhere else in Windows 11.
- Open the System Properties window by right-clicking “This PC” and selecting “Properties“. Then, hit “Advanced system settings“. You can also search and open “Advanced system settings” from the Start menu.
- Go to the “Advanced” tab in the System Properties dialog. Click “Settings” under “Performance” to open the Performance Options window.
- In the Performance Options, stick to the “Advanced” tab and find “Virtual memory“. Hit “Change“.
- Turn off “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives“.
- Pick your main drive (usually C:), click “No paging file“, and then “Set“. This tells Windows to stop using the main drive for virtual memory.
- Now, choose the drive where you want the pagefile. You can either let Windows decide the size (“System managed size“) or set your own, and click “Set“.
- Hit “OK” to save your settings. You’ll probably need to restart your computer to see the changes.
- After restarting, make sure the pagefile is now on the new drive. If you still see a pagefile.sys file on the C: drive, you can delete it to clear up space.
Useful guide: How to Clear RAM Cache in Windows 11
Some considerations when moving your system’s virtual memory
Performance Impact: Moving the pagefile to a slower drive might make things a bit sluggish. It’s best to keep it on the fastest drive you’ve got.
Size configuration: If you’re setting up a custom size for the pagefile, try to make the initial and maximum sizes the same. This stops the file from getting too choppy and slowing things down.
Multiple drives: If you’ve got extra drives, you can spread the pagefile across them. This could be handy if the drives have different speeds or you want to even out their use over time.
Monitoring system performance: Keep an eye on how your computer runs after you move the pagefile. If things seem off, you might need to tweak the settings or switch it back.
Windows updates and changes: Big updates from Windows might reset some of your settings. It’s a good idea to double-check your virtual memory settings after these updates.
Errors and troubleshooting: If you run into trouble and see Windows making a temp pagefile on the old drive, it could mean something’s up with the new setup. This might happen if the new drive isn’t right for a pagefile or if there’s a setting error.
Linked issue: Memory_Management ntoskrnl.exe BSOD on Windows 11 or 10
Concluding thoughts
Moving your virtual memory in Windows 11 can be a smart way to make your computer run better, especially if you have different drives to choose from. The steps we’ve gone through should help you switch the pagefile to a drive that suits your needs better, whether you’re looking to save space, boost speed, or just keep your hardware happy.
Read next: What Files Can You Delete from C: Drive to Free Up Space?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does virtual memory usage affect the lifespan of an SSD?
Modern SSDs are pretty robust and can handle a lot of data writing. Using one for virtual memory shouldn’t shorten its life by much, if at all. Chances are, you’ll upgrade to a new SSD for other reasons before wear and tear is a problem.
Can I move virtual memory to an external drive?
It’s not recommended to use an external drive for your pagefile because they might not always be connected well enough or might be slower than your internal drives.
Will moving the pagefile improve gaming performance?
Shifting the pagefile to a quicker drive could help with gaming, especially if your system ends up using virtual memory a lot. But the difference might not be night and day.
Will moving the paging file to an HDD slow down my computer?
If you go from an SSD to an HDD for your paging file, you might notice things slow down a bit when your computer needs to use it, since HDDs are slower. But if you have enough RAM, this shouldn’t happen too often.
Should I manually configure virtual memory settings?
Most of the time, letting Windows handle your virtual memory automatically is just fine. You’d only really need to mess with it if you’re short on space or have some specific needs for your setup.
How do I determine the optimal size for the paging file?
Windows does a good job of managing the paging file size by itself. If you want to set it manually, a common tip is to start with a size 1.5 times your RAM and maybe go up to 3 times if you need to. But this depends a lot on how you use your computer.
Is it better to have multiple paging files on different drives?
For some setups, especially with fast SSDs, spreading out the paging file can boost performance. But for most people, one paging file on the quickest drive is all you need.
Can I completely disable the paging file?
Turning off the paging file isn’t a great idea, even if you’ve got lots of RAM. Some programs and Windows itself like to have it around, and turning it off could make your system unstable or run poorly.
Is it safe to delete the pagefile from the primary drive?
Yes, but only do this after you’ve moved it and told Windows to start using the new location.
What if I encounter errors after moving the paging file?
If you get errors or a warning about a temp paging file, it means something might not be set up right with the new paging file. Try going back to the old settings and make sure the new drive is ready for paging. If you keep having trouble, you might need to get some more help.
