my home pc keeps giving me an error msg, "out of virtual memory". what does that mean?

Question

it makes my pc slow and some applications are not available

Answer 1

Virtual memory is what the operating system uses when you don't have enough physical memory (RAM) in the system. The operating system creates a special file (PageFile) on the disk and uses it as virtual memory. Unfortunately this type of memory is slower than physical memory so once your running system (operating system and applications) exceed physical memory you are using virtual memory. Normally the system is set to use about 1.5 to 2 times the physical memory size for virtual memory. If you have a small amount of physical memory in the system though, you can easily exceed both the physical and virtual memory. You can override the default settings on this by increasing virtual memory size but the better solution would be to increase your physical memory. Please post your operating system version so we can provide instructions on increasing your virtual memory. I'd recommend increasing your physical memory too if you can afford it and the system isn't too old (otherwise I'd just save for a complete new system and continue with slower virtual memory).

Answer 2

The virtual memory is a portion of your Hard disk drive set aside for swapping purposes. It is usually allocated by the operating system.

The message means that your Hard Disk Drive is pretty full, and the OS can no longer allocate enough virtual memory to make things work optimally.

Either delete unwanted files in your HDD, or get a slave drive, or replace the drive with a larger capacity model.

You should also empty your Recycle bin, empty the Temp folders, and defragment your drive. All these actions will help.

Answer 3

If the programs you are currently running require more memory than is available, Windows uses free space on your hard drive to allow the programs to run. If you do not have enough free space available on your hard drive, you will receive that error message.

You want to purchase some more RAM for you computer. I would first clean up your PC, including deleting Temporary Internet Files, deleting Internet cookies, and also running a Defrag on a regular basis.

Uninstall any programs that you don't use and also check your machine for spyware/viruses.

Answer 4

Virtual memory is space on your hard disk used to simulate real memory Either you have the limits of your virtual memory set too low or you are running out of disk space

To check right click on 'My computer' select properties choose advanced then click on settings in performance section.then nose around there.