How can I free up some virtual memory on my computer?

Question

My computer keeps telling me that I'm running low on virtual memory - I think that running lots of programs at the same time reduces it and so I'm trying not to use too much at once but is there anything else I can do to help my computer?

I don't know how to add more memory - can you please explain how to do it? Or give me a link to somewhere that explains it?

I have deleted all the programs I possibly can but the problem still persists.

Answer 1

How to increase virtual memory.

1.


Open System in Control Panel.

2.


On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

3.


On the Advanced tab, under Virtual memory, click Change.

4.


Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.

5.


Under Paging file size for selected drive, click Custom size, and type a new paging file size in megabytes in the Initial size (usually 1.5 times the size of your Ram in (MB) or Maximum size is (3 times the size of your RAM) (MB) box, and then click Set.

You can also set to "let Windows decide" .

Answer 2

If a computer running Windows requires more memory/RAM then there is installed in the system to run a program, etc, it uses a small section of the hard drive for this purpose. This is called “Virtual” memory, or “Swap Filling”. If the “Swap” file is to small, then you will get a warning that the system can’t perform the operation that you have requested because sufficient “Virtual” memory isn’t available.

You need to enlarge the size of your “virtual memory/swap file”. So, do the following.

Right click “My Computer” and choose “Properties”.
In the “System Properties” window, click the “Advanced” tab.
Under “Performance”, click “Settings”.
In the “Performance Options” window, click “Advanced”.
Under “Virtual memory”, click “Change”.

Increase the size of the “Paging file” so that it is at least twice the size of your RAM. You can increase the size to “Maximum”, it won’t hurt your system at all.


Best cure.

If you really want to eliminate this problem, all you need do is to install more “Memory/RAM”.

Answer 3

You're correct. Running lots of programs uses all your computer's RAM, and then when it needs more, it moves some of this data to your hard drives in order to free up the RAM.

This process is slow--hard drive access is way slower than RAM access. When it says you have low virtual memory, that means all your RAM is full, and there is not enough hard drive space to use as a secondary memory source.

To solve this issue, do these things:

1. Cut down on the number of programs you run at once
2. Cut down on background programs like the items in your Start>>Programs>>Startup folder and the icons in your system tray (beside clock).
3. Upgrade your system's RAM
4. Increase your hard drive space

To clear out your RAM, you can simply restart your computer. This is something you should do at least daily if you get lots of low virtual memory warnings.

Answer 4

Virtual memory is what windows uses when you run out of physical memory. Instead of storing data in the RAM it starts storing it on the hard drives, which is really, really slow comparativly.

If your often running out of VM then you probably want to look at upgrading your RAM. You can do a scan at www.crucual.com to see what you currently have, what you can upgrade to, and how much it'll cost.

Generally windows does a decent job of managing your virtual memory, but you can play with the settings by right clicking My Computer, clicking Properties. Then on the Advanced tab click Settings under Performace. You'll find the Virtual Memory settings at the bottom of the Advanced tab on the Performance Options window.

Answer 5

First thing to stop your problem is to not to have too many programs open at once. Although you not actually using them they are running in the background and taking the RAM's resources which overspills into the virtual memory. Another way to help is if you right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Advanced > Virtual Memory > and change the button setting to "System Managed Size" > click on Set > Apply & OK > The system will now ask you to reboot for the settings to take effect > click on OK. This allows the system to be flexable and can adjust the Virtual Memory as required with out being fixed between two parameters. With a bit of luck that should solve your problem!

Answer 6

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.healthboostpc.com

It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

Answer 7

Virtual Memory is space allocated on your hard drive for those times that your physical memory (RAM) is not enough.

To increase the amount of virtual memory go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory "Change" > Custom Size > adjust as needed. 2 times your physical RAM is a good minimum and 3 times your physical memory in MB is good for your maximum.

But, the best solution to low is to buy an additional stick of RAM, and install it which will increase the amount of physical memory on your computer. RAM is dirt cheap these days and your computers performance will increase substantionally with the additional memory.

Answer 8

Usually running out of virtual memory means that you are running too many applications at the same time for your system or one of them is attempting to use too much memory.

Increasing virtual memory is one way of compensating for lack of RAM. However, it's optimum should be set at 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your computer. Virtual memory can be increased, but it comes with a risk if you increase it too much as it can eventually lead to hard drive damage.

To increase VM on Windows XP (should be in similar locations for other versions) look in Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory.

You can see if your computer can handle more RAM at http://www.crucial.com/index.asp

It's important to note that everything takes RAM. Not only security products (such as active anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall) eat up memory but your operating system, active browser windows, running applications (such as Word, Gaming, Messenger, Photoshop, etc) and malware all compete for system resources. The presence of Malware (viruses, spyware, etc) will particularly eat up your system resources so you may want to run your resident security products such as antispyware and antivirus applications to ensure that your system is clean.

Answer 9

Cleaning the register is a good way of improving the performances of your pc and eliminate malwares and trojans. A program I trust is CCleaner http://bitly.com/UrAPHN
It's amazing.
Cheers ;)

Answer 10

go to control panel -> system ->click advanced tab then click performance settings. go to advance tab performance settings and click virtual memory and click change.

increase your virtual memory there.

altenative: get an additional ram.