Managing virtual memory in Windows 10 can help balance system performance and storage usage. This guide explains how to enable, adjust, or disable virtual memory step by step.
What is Virtual Memory?
Virtual memory, also called a paging file, allows Windows 10 to use part of your storage drive (SSD or HDD) as additional RAM. When physical memory is full, data is temporarily moved to the paging file so programs continue running. Because storage drives are slower than RAM, performance may be affected. Adjusting virtual memory can optimize performance for specific workloads, while disabling it may save disk space but risks instability in memory‑intensive tasks.
How to Enable or Adjust Virtual Memory
- Press Windows Key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter to open System Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under the Performance section.
- In the Performance Options window, switch to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Select the drive you want to configure.
- Choose Custom size and enter the Initial size and Maximum size (in MB).
Tip: A common recommendation is 1.5x your RAM for the initial size and 3x for the maximum size. - Click Set, then OK.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.
How to Disable Virtual Memory
- Follow the same steps above to access Virtual Memory settings.
- Select the drive and choose No paging file.
- Click Set, then OK.
- Restart your PC to finalize disabling virtual memory.
Virtual memory management in Windows 10 gives you control over performance and storage. Adjust these settings carefully to achieve the right balance for your system’s needs.