How to reset virtual memory windows 10

If you’re experiencing slow performance or frequent crashes on your Windows 10 computer, it may be time to reset your virtual memory. Virtual memory is a feature that allows your computer to use a portion of your hard drive as additional RAM, which can help improve performance. However, over time, this virtual memory can become fragmented or corrupted, leading to issues with your computer’s performance. In this article, we’ll discuss how to reset virtual memory on windows 10 and improve your computer’s overall performance.

What is Virtual Memory?

Before we dive into how to reset virtual memory on Windows 10, let’s first understand what virtual memory is and how it works. Virtual memory is a feature that allows your computer to use a portion of your hard drive as additional RAM. This is helpful when your computer’s physical RAM is running low and needs additional memory to run programs and processes.

When your computer runs out of physical RAM, it will start using virtual memory to store data temporarily. This data is stored in a file called the “page file” or “swap file” on your hard drive. When your computer needs to access this data, it will retrieve it from the page file. This process allows your computer to continue running smoothly, even when it’s low on physical RAM.

Why Reset Virtual Memory on Windows 10?

Over time, your virtual memory can become fragmented or corrupted, leading to issues with your computer’s performance. This can result in slow performance, frequent crashes, and other problems. By resetting your virtual memory, you can clear out any corrupted data and improve your computer’s overall performance.

Signs That You Need to Reset Virtual Memory

Here are some signs that it may be time to reset your virtual memory on Windows 10:

• Slow performance: If your computer is running slower than usual, it could be a sign that your virtual memory is fragmented or corrupted.
• Frequent crashes: If your computer is crashing frequently, it could be due to issues with your virtual memory.
• Error messages: If you’re receiving error messages related to virtual memory, it’s a clear sign that something is wrong and needs to be reset.

How to Reset Virtual Memory on Windows 10

Now that you understand what virtual memory is and why it’s important to reset it, let’s discuss how to do it on Windows 10. There are a few different methods you can use to reset virtual memory, so we’ll cover the most common ones below.

Method 1: Using the System Properties Menu

The first method we’ll cover is using the System Properties menu to reset virtual memory on Windows 10. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the “Start” button and select “System” from the menu.
2. In the System window, click on “Advanced system settings” on the left-hand side.
3. In the System Properties window, click on the “Advanced” tab.
4. Under the “Performance” section, click on “Settings.”
5. In the Performance Options window, click on the “Advanced” tab.
6. Under the “Virtual memory” section, click on “Change.”
7. Uncheck the box next to “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
8. Select the drive where your Windows 10 is installed (usually the C: drive).
9. Click on “Custom size” and enter the recommended size for your virtual memory. This is typically 1.5 times the size of your physical RAM.
10. Click on “Set” and then click “OK” to save the changes.
11. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

Another way to reset virtual memory on Windows 10 is by using Command Prompt. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type “cmd” in the search bar and right-click on “Command Prompt” from the results.
2. Select “Run as administrator” from the menu.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: wmic computersystem where name=”%computername%” set AutomaticManagedPagefile=False
4. Next, type the following command and press Enter: wmic pagefileset where name=”C:\pagefile.sys” set InitialSize=0,MaximumSize=0
5. Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

Method 3: Using Registry Editor

The third method we’ll cover is using Registry Editor to reset virtual memory on Windows 10. Here’s how to do it:

1. Type “regedit” in the search bar and click on “Registry Editor” from the results.
2. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
3. Double-click on “ClearPageFileAtShutdown” and change the value to “1.”
4. Double-click on “DisablePagingExecutive” and change the value to “1.”
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Tips for Maintaining Virtual Memory

Now that you know how to reset virtual memory on Windows 10, here are some tips for maintaining it to prevent issues in the future:

• Keep your computer updated: Make sure to regularly install updates for your operating system and drivers to keep your computer running smoothly.
• Avoid running too many programs at once: Running too many programs at once can cause your computer to run low on physical RAM, leading to increased use of virtual memory.
• Clear out temporary files: Regularly clearing out temporary files can help prevent your virtual memory from becoming fragmented.
• Use a disk cleanup tool: Consider using a disk cleanup tool to remove unnecessary files and free up space on your hard drive.

Conclusion

Resetting virtual memory on Windows 10 can help improve your computer’s performance and prevent issues such as slow performance and frequent crashes. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can easily reset your virtual memory and keep your computer running smoothly. Remember to also follow the tips for maintaining virtual memory to prevent issues in the future.