How to customize the Windows 10 swap file

What is a paging file and why is it needed

During operation, the data of all running applications is not stored on disk, but in faster RAM. With a large number of active programs, the RAM can become full, which can lead to errors due to insufficient memory and computer malfunctions. To prevent this from happening and applications continued to work, even when the RAM ran out, a paging file is used in Windows and other operating systems.

It is a kind of continuation of RAM and serves to store data that does not fit into it. It is a hidden file that resides on the system drive. There are two such files in Windows 10: swapfile.sys and pagefile.sys. The first is responsible for the operation of built-in applications and programs from the Windows store, and the second is responsible for software from third-party sources.

What size of Windows 10 paging file to choose

The size of the paging file depends on the amount of RAM: the more there is, the smaller the file. By default, Windows manages its size automatically and does a pretty good job of it. So if there is no particular reason, it is best to leave all settings as they are.

If you want to experiment, you should start from your own experience of using a PC. To do this, start all the applications you need to work and open the "Task Manager" by pressing Shift + Control + Esc. Switch to the "Performance" tab, select the "Memory" section in the side menu and see how much of it is being used.

This figure must be multiplied by two and subtract the amount of available RAM. The resulting number will be the optimal paging file size for Windows 10. If the calculation results in a negative value, then the size should be left unchanged.

Our example uses 1.9 GB of the 3 GB available RAM. We consider: 1, 9 × 2 - 3 = 0.8 GB. This will be the optimal paging file size in this case.

How to customize the Windows 10 swap file

To change the volume, press Win + R, enter sysdm.cpl and click OK.

How to customize the Windows 10 swap file: click "Options"

Switch to the "Advanced" tab and click "Options".

How to customize the Windows 10 paging file: click the "Change …" button

Go to another tab "Advanced" and click the "Change …" button.

Change the size of the Windows 10 paging file

Uncheck the box "Automatically select the size of the paging file", click "Specify size", and then type in the minimum and maximum size in megabytes. Do not forget to click the "Set" button to save.

How to configure Windows 10 swap file: restart your computer

After that, the system will offer to restart the computer. Click OK for the changes to take effect.

Should I disable the Windows 10 swap file?

We do not recommend doing this, because even if there is a lot of RAM, Windows will still use the paging file. If you disable it, then when the RAM overflows, errors will occur: applications may crash, and some of them will stop running altogether.