Virtual Memory

Virtual Memory

1. Depending on the size of the RAM, it is not always possible to store all the running programs in the RAM at once and the computer will start running low on memory and slow down. This is where the Virtual Memory comes in

2. VM: It stores the data that the RAM isn’t actively using on the hard drive to free up the RAM. Then, when the CPU needs the data it pulls it back from the virtual memory on the hard drive.

3. The operating system sets up a page file on the hard drive to be used for virtual memory.

4. This is usually set at twice the size of the amount of RAM, e.g. 1GB of RAM should have a 2GB page file.