The memory engine using the swap file proposed by Microsoft turned out to be so effective that it is present on all Windows operating systems (Windows). At the time of appearance, he was extremely in demand. The main reason for this is the ability to run Windows applications that require the amount of RAM installed on the computer. Users who started the beginning of the Windows era and the decline of DOS remember that on CDs with DOS programs the computer configuration requirements were always indicated : the type of video adapter, processor speed, free disk space, and also the amount of RAM. If there was less memory than required, then the program did not start. This is now, when the Windows system is installed on most computers, such requirements have become recommendatory in nature (although there are rare exceptions, for example, support for the required version of DirectX). This is made possible because the modern system uses a page file. We can assume that this mechanism increases the amount of RAM. Imagine a situation when the launched application requires 2 GB of memory, and a 1 GB module is physically installed. In such a situation, the Windows system creates a special swap file (virtual memory) on the hard disk , which will work with it in the same way as with its physical counterpart. Of course, "the same" from the point of view of the user.
The Windows operating system is perhaps one of the most customizable. A huge number of tweakers and optimizers have been released for her, with the help of which almost everything can be done with the system, adjusting the parameters for their tasks.
But still, the “default” settings do not always allow you to realize explicit and hidden features in full. The paging file was not ignored. Management of this system mechanism is possible using built-in tools. In the popular Windows 7, to access the settings, open the "My Computer" properties, follow the "System Settings", where we open the "Performance" tab. Selecting "Advanced", you can configure the work with virtual memory.
Often on forums the question is asked: "How to choose the size of the page file?" The answer depends on the range of tasks (running applications) and the amount of installed RAM. There are many configuration recommendations, but they all rely on the assertion that without a page file the computer runs faster. The computing power of modern computer systems cast doubt on this postulate. A quad-core processor and a SATA-3 drive based on solid-state memory, which are increasingly found even in home systems, reduce the effect of the size of the paging file on the resulting performance. So, if the RAM is at least 4 GB, then you can try to turn off swapping. We follow in the "Virtual memory", uncheck the automatic settings and tell Windows not to use this mechanism. It is recommended to reboot. If you have problems with applications, you will have to buy memory models or not even think about disabling the page file.
But disconnecting is, of course, an extreme. Sometimes you can optimize the system by setting the file size yourself. This is really an effective way to reduce fragmentation. Select "Specify Size" and do the trick: set the initial size equal to the maximum. Which one? You can follow the advice of Windows and rigidly register the automatically determined size, or you can correct it in one direction or another. The best results can be achieved when installing Windows on an empty disk partition and immediately (before installing applications) indicate the size of the swap. If file fragmentation is absent, this will improve performance a little. As an option: select a separate section of the hard drive for swapping, as is done in Linux-based systems.