How do you increase virtual memory?

Increase the virtual memory, or paging file size, on a PC running Windows by changing its setting under Advanced in the Performance Options section of System Properties. Access to an administrator-level account is required to perform this change.

1. Open System Properties

   Hold the Windows key and press "R" to open a Run window. Clear the command line in the Run window, and type "sysdm.cpl." Then, press Enter, or click OK to open the System Properties window.

2. Open Performance Options

   In the System Properties window, click the Advanced tab. Then, look for the section labeled "Performance." Click the Settings button in that section to open the Performance Options window.

3. Open the Virtual Memory window

   In the Performance Options window, click the Advanced tab. Look for the section labeled "Virtual memory." Click the Change button in that section to open the Virtual Memory window.

4. Increase the paging file size

   In the Virtual Memory window, click the box beside "Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives" to uncheck it. Then, select the drive you'd like to increase the virtual memory on. Click on the radio button beside Custom size, input your desired initial and maximum values, then click the Set button. Do this for each drive and partition you'd like to make paging file size changes to.

5. Save your settings

   After setting the paging file size for each drive or partition, click on the OK button. Depending on the change you made, you may be asked to restart your computer.