Increasing virtual memory in Windows 11 can really help improve overall performance, especially if the system feels sluggish when running multiple apps or heavy-duty software. It’s kind of a simple tweak that gives your PC more breathing room, by letting Windows use part of your hard drive as extra RAM. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, this tweak makes a noticeable difference — on others, not so much. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
How to Increase Virtual Memory in Windows 11
If your system runs out of physical RAM often or if you get that “Your system is low on memory” warning, increasing virtual memory can help smooth things out. The idea is to tell Windows to allocate more space for the paging file, which acts like a secondary RAM. Follow these steps; it’s not rocket science, but expect a few clicks and some patience.
Open System Properties
First off, get to the System Properties. On Windows 11, right-click the Start button and select System from the menu. From there, click on Advanced system settings — it’s usually on the right side or at the bottom of the System window. Alternatively, you can press Windows + Pause/Break to go directly to system info, then hit Advanced system settings in the sidebar.
This brings up the classic System Properties window, where you can access all those hidden settings.
Access Advanced System Settings
In the System Properties, look for the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click on Settings. This opens Performance Options. It’s kind of a maze, but hang tight. Windows likes to hide some of these settings in layers.
Open Performance Options
In the Performance Options window, switch to the Advanced tab again, then click on the Change… button under Virtual memory. This is where the magic happens. Sometimes this window can be a little tricky — on some setups, the Change button can be grayed out unless you run as administrator. So if that’s the case, close it, then right-click the Start button, choose Windows Terminal (Admin), and run the commands there.
Access Virtual Memory Settings
Once you’re in the Virtual Memory settings, you’ll see a list of drives. Select the drive containing your Windows installation, usually C:. Make sure the box Automatically manage paging file size for all drives is unchecked — Windows tends to set this automatically, but here’s where you can tweak it manually.
Set the Custom size for Initial and Maximum size. A decent starting point is 1.5 times your RAM, while the maximum can go up to three times. For example, if your machine has 8GB of RAM (which is 8192 MB), you might set initial at around 12288 MB and max at 24576 MB. But don’t go overboard — setting it too high can eat up disk space unnecessarily. After inputting your values, hit Set and then OK.
Sometimes, it’s good to restart after applying these changes. Also, on some machines, the adjustments don’t stick until a reboot — just a weird quirk I’ve noticed.
Adjust Paging File Size
If the automatic management box was unchecked, your custom values should be in effect. If not, double-check everything and restart if needed. The key here is to strike a balance — not too low, not too high. On a system with limited storage space, don’t push it to max, or you might run into disk space issues.
Tips for Increasing Virtual Memory in Windows 11
- Make sure your drive has free space—at least a few GB—before bumping virtual memory up.
- Keep Windows updated — sometimes, performance improvements are baked into updates.
- If you’re still feeling slow, consider adding more physical RAM — virtual memory isn’t a permanent fix.
- Beware of setting virtual memory too high; it can slow down your machine if your disk is slow or nearly full.
- After adjusting, monitor system performance: does it feel snappier? Or still sluggish? Adjust accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is virtual memory in Windows 11?
It’s basically your system using part of your hard drive as temporary RAM when your actual RAM runs out. Helps your PC handle bigger workloads, but it’s slower than real RAM.
How does increasing virtual memory help?
It gives Windows a little extra room to work with, which can reduce crashes, lag, or errors when multitasking or using heavy apps. Not perfect, but it helps keep things running smoothly — kind of a bandaid for low RAM.
Can I set virtual memory too high?
Yep. If you push it too high, it can cause your hard drive to become a bottleneck. Plus, it’ll eat up disk space — which you might need for actual files. Best practice is to keep it in a reasonable range based on your installed RAM.
Is physical RAM better than virtual memory?
Absolutely. RAM is faster, and virtual memory just helps when you’re really running out. It’s a temporary backup, not a replacement for actual RAM.
Will increasing virtual memory harm my computer?
Usually not, as long as you don’t set it ridiculously high. Overdoing it can slow things down if your disk is slow or nearly full, so follow recommended settings and keep an eye on available space.
Summary
- Open System Properties via right-click on start or Settings > System > About
- Navigate to Advanced system settings
- Go to Performance > Settings > Advanced
- Click Change under Virtual memory
- Uncheck automatic management, set custom size, hit Set and restart if needed
Wrap-up
Adjusting virtual memory in Windows 11 isn’t super complicated once you get the hang of it. It’s a handy trick if your system feels bogged down, but don’t forget — more physical RAM does a better job long-term. Just remember to keep an eye on free disk space, and don’t go crazy with the settings. Sometimes, a good reboot after the tweak helps things settle down. Fingers crossed this helps keep your system running a bit smoother — worked for a few friends’ machines, so why not yours?