Speed Up Your PC: How to Use an SSD to Expand Virtual Memory and Boost Performance Without Buying RAM

Does this sound familiar? You turn on your old computer, launch Photoshop to edit some photos, while keeping ten browser tabs open, and suddenly… everything slows down to a crawl. The mouse freezes, programs take ages to respond, and in the worst cases, that dreaded message appears: "Out of memory".

Most people immediately think: “I need to buy more RAM”. But that’s not always possible: maybe your laptop doesn’t support upgrades, maybe compatible RAM is no longer available, or you simply don’t want to spend money on new parts.

This is where a technique that many overlook can breathe new life into an old computer: virtual memory.

In this article, I’ll explain—clearly and in detail:

• What virtual memory is and how it works.

• When and why you should manually configure it.

• How to use an SSD for maximum speed.

• Advanced tips to get the best performance.

• A real-life test showing the results.

By the end, you’ll have a complete step-by-step guide to optimize your PC without spending a cent on hardware.

1. What Is Virtual Memory and Why You Should Know About It

Virtual memory is a technology that uses part of your hard drive or SSD as if it were RAM. The system creates a special file, called "pagefile.sys", where it temporarily stores data when physical RAM is full.

Think of RAM as a carpenter’s workbench: the bigger the bench, the more pieces they can work on at the same time. If the bench gets full, they have to store some material on a shelf (in this case, the hard drive). That shelf is slower than the bench, but it keeps the work from stopping.

Main benefits of virtual memory:

• Prevents freezes and crashes when RAM runs out.

• Lets you run more programs at once, even on low-RAM systems.

• Improves overall system stability, especially for heavy workloads like photo or video editing.

• It’s free, since it uses storage you already have.

2. When It’s Worth Manually Adjusting Virtual Memory

Windows manages virtual memory automatically, but its default settings aren’t always optimal. In many cases, manual adjustment delivers better results.

Situations where you should configure it yourself:

3. How to Configure Virtual Memory in Windows 10 and 11 (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a simple process you can follow—no extra software needed.

1. Open Advanced System Settings:

   • Right-click This PC → Properties.

   • Select Advanced system settings from the left panel.

2. Access Performance Settings:

   • In the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

3. Adjust Virtual Memory:

   • Go to the Advanced tab → Virtual memory → Change.

   • Uncheck Automatically manage.

   • Select Custom size and enter the recommended values below.

Suggested values:

💡 Tip: If you have an SSD, place the virtual memory file there. If not, use the fastest hard drive available.

4. Checking If Virtual Memory Is Working

Once configured, it’s good to verify that it’s active:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

2. Go to the Performance tab → Memory.

3. Look at the Page file section.

4. Launch a heavy program (Photoshop, Premiere, a game) and see if pagefile usage increases.

If programs that used to crash now run smoothly, your settings are working.

5. Advanced Tips for Optimizing Virtual Memory

• Use a fixed size: Set the same value for initial and maximum size to avoid fragmentation and improve stability.

• If you have multiple drives, use the fastest one.

• Never place it on a USB or external drive—too slow.

• Even with 32 GB RAM, keep at least 1 GB of virtual memory as a safety net.

• Disable on slow drives to prevent bottlenecks.

6. Real Test: How Proper Settings Made a Difference

We ran a test on a low-spec PC:

• Processor: Intel i3-4160

• RAM: 4 GB DDR3

• Drive: 240 GB SATA SSD

Results:

Conclusion: On a low-resource PC, optimized virtual memory + SSD can turn a sluggish, near-useless machine into a functional tool for office work and light creative tasks.

7. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

• Virtual memory doesn’t replace physical RAM, but it’s a lifesaver when RAM runs out.

• Using an SSD greatly improves pagefile access speed.

• Manual tuning can boost stability and reduce critical errors.

• It’s a free, quick, and reversible fix—if it doesn’t help, you can always return to automatic settings.

If your PC feels slow, try this method before spending money on hardware. The improvement—especially on older systems—might surprise you.