Page File

• To understand virtual memory and determine the best setting, you'll need to understand what a page file is. A page file is the file your system uses to store the data in virtual memory on your hard drive. The page file is the customizable part of virtual memory; increasing the page file gives you more of it and decreasing the file's size gives you less.
  
  

Current RAM Amount

• Your current RAM amount helps determine how much virtual memory your computer should have. While you should always have your virtual memory turned on, you won't need to use as much of it if you've got an excess of RAM your system rarely ever fully uses. The basic principle here is that the less physical RAM you have, the more virtual memory you'll likely need. That's not to say virtual memory should be your RAM substitute; RAM is a much faster memory type, so if the choice comes down to getting more RAM or increasing virtual memory, the RAM upgrade is wisest. You can alter the page file's size through Windows' control panel.
  
  

Computer Use

• What kind of activities you use the computer for also determines how much virtual memory you should have. An increase in computer load and usage means a decrease in performance, so computers used for advanced gaming or resource-intensive programs require more resources, including virtual memory, to properly operate.
  
  

Professional Recommendations

• In Windows Vista and Windows 7 your virtual memory's page file has both a minimum and maximum size limit. These two numbers specify the smallest and largest your page file will become. By default, Microsoft sets the minimum at your computer's RAM level plus 300 megabytes, with the maximum set for three times your RAM amount. Microsoft suggests raising both the minimum and maximum limits when you begin seeing warnings or memory- and virtual memory-related problems.
  
  

Monitoring Virtual Memory

• One of the best ways to figure out your ideal virtual memory setting is to monitor the current level and how your computer handles it. Windows' Task Manager features easy-to-read virtual memory information under the "Performance" tab. Near the bottom left side of the window, you'll see "Physical Memory" and "Kernel Memory." The Kernel memory is your virtual memory setting. The "Paged" statistic tells you how many MB of your page file is being used, letting you know how much virtual memory your computer is using. If the number is constantly hovering around the maximum page file size, consider increasing it.