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As time goes on, even the best PCs begin to slow down and lag. Before long, completing tasks becomes a time-sapping frustration and you're starting to contemplate a replacement.
But wait! You may find the problem eases if you have some extra RAM to hand and you don't need to spend a fortune. By turning a USB flash drive into virtual RAM, you can reduce your reliance on an aging, slow hard disk and give your PC a speed boost. Plus, it's really easy to do, taking less than a minute to get set up.
1. Insert a USB flash drive
First of all, plug a fast USB flash drive or a SD card into your Windows PC. It will need to have more than 500MB of free storage and a high data transfer rate.
2. Open File Explorer
Next, open the File Explorer app that is built into Windows. The USB flash drive or SD card should appear in the sidebar.
3. Select Properties
Right-click the USB flash drive or SD card and select Properties.
4. Choose ReadyBoost
You need to select the ReadyBoost tab then click Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost if you want to use it entirely for virtual RAM or click Use this device if you still want to store files on it.
5. Allocate space
You can now use the slider the allocate an appropriate amount of space. Aim for between one to three times the size of your computer’s RAM. Windows will suggest an amount and it’s a good idea to take the advice.
6. Finish off
When you’re done, click Apply and select Ok. A cache file will be added to the drive and it can now be used as additional RAM.
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More from Tom's Guide
- Windows 11 PC running slow? Here's how to free up RAM fast
- This hidden Windows 11 setting might be quietly draining your RAM — here's a quick fix
- How much RAM do I need? Here's how to know
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