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How can I adjust the "Page File" or "Virtual Memory" settings?

This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro.

Can you get rid of the page file? Yes and no. If you have a boat load of memory (greater than 512 MB) you may be able to function just fine.. Some games require a certain amount of swap space to be created to even run, no matter how much RAM is available. Also, under certain conditions, sound cards go crazy (or does not function) in some games with no swap file (and oddly enough, Age of Empires 2). If you decide to test your luck with no swap space or page file, you are on your own. :) Please do not E-Mail me with your war stories about no swap. Every system is different. I usually do not have one "unless something requires it that I am running that day."

Adjust Page File
Start --> Control Panel -->	Performance and Maintenance -->	System -->
Advanced Tab. Under Performance, click "Settings" button -->	Advanced Tab. Under Virtual Memory, click "Change" -->	Adjust as needed, or select "No paging File," then click "Set"

If anything, create (preferably on a separate partition), a swap space of constant size. For example, select Custom Size and place 1000 in "Initial" and 1000 in "Maximum" Size boxes, then click Set Button. This will reduce the amount of work needed to dynamically resize the page file, usually when you need it most.

From Fastest to Slowest, these are the configuration you can try:

• No swap file at all. Some software may fail.
• A static swap file on a separate hard drive (and preferably, controller) from Windows and frequently accessed data.
• A dynamic swap file on a separate hard drive (and preferably, controller) from Windows and frequently accessed data.
• A static swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
• A dynamic swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
• The Default: A dynamic swap file on the same partition and physical hard drive (usually C:) as Windows.

You must reboot for your changes to take effect.

You can also check out my Windows XP Super Tweaks Page.