The paging file, often lurking unseen in the background of your Windows system, serves as a vital function to the computer’s performance. This hidden file on a hard disk essentially functions as an extension of your RAM. How? When the RAM starts to fill up, the paging file steps in, taking some of the data and storing it temporarily to ensure the RAM does not get overwhelmed. Consequently, this mechanism helps in streamlining the system’s operations, making sure everything runs smoothly. However, sometimes, users might manually adjust the page file size or even disable it, inadvertently slowing down their computer’s performance. If you’ve noticed a dip in your system’s speed, reverting to allowing Windows to automatically manage the page file size could be a remedy. In this risewindows article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to enable automatic page file size management in Windows 11/10, aiming to optimize your computer’s performance.
How to Enable Automatic Page File Size on Windows 11?
Windows manages the system page file size automatically by default, taking into account several factors such as disk size and speed. If, for some reason, you’ve set it to manual or deactivated this feature and wish to revert to the automatic setting, follow these steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, press the Windows + I keys on the keyboard to open the Settings app on your computer.
Step 2. Next, select the System category in the left pane.
Step 3. Select the About tile on the right side of “System” to expand.
Step 4. On the About settings page, click the Advanced system settings link.
Step 5. The “System Properties” window will appear when you complete the above steps. Select the Advanced tab and click the Settings button in the Performance area.
Step 6. A new window, “Performance Options,” will appear on the screen. Select the Advanced tab and click the Change button in the Virtual memory area.
Step 7. Check the checkbox “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” in the “Virtual Memory” pop-up window.
Step 8. Click on the OK button.
Step 9. Press the OK button.
Step 10. Hit the OK button.
Step 11. Select the OK button.
Step 12. Choose the OK button.
Step 13. Microsoft Windows will prompt you to reboot your computer. Click the Restart Now button to apply the changes.
That’s it.
How to Turn On Automatic Page File Size on Windows 10?
To enable or turn on automatic page file size in Windows, here are the steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Settings App.
Step 2. Next, click the System.
Step 3. Then, select About on the left sidebar.
Step 4. On the About settings page, scroll down to see the “Related settings” area. Then, click the link System protection.
Step 5. When the “System Properties” window appears, navigate to the Advanced tab.
Step 6. Click on the Settings button inside the “Performance” area.
Step 7. Again, select the Advanced tab in the “Performance Options” window.
Step 8. Then, click the Change button under “Virtual Memory.”
Step 9. Ensure “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” is checked.
Step 10. Click on the OK button.
Step 11. Press the OK button.
Step 12. Hit the OK button.
Step 13. Select the OK button.
Step 14. Choose the OK button.
Step 15. When Microsoft Windows prompts you to reboot your computer, click the Restart Now button to apply the changes.
That’s it.
Conclusion
The paging file is a crucial component that acts as an extension of your computer’s RAM, optimizing system performance. By ensuring the paging file size is automatically managed by Windows, users can avoid potential slowdowns caused by manual adjustments. Whether you’re using Windows 11 or 10, the steps provided in this guide will enable automatic management of the paging file size, promising smoother computer operations. So, if you’ve noticed any performance dip, make sure to check and adjust your page file settings accordingly.