How to increase computer RAM using a flash drive. How to increase RAM? How to increase RAM on a computer using a flash drive. Which system is suitable for our purposes?

For many of us, the speed of a computer or laptop is very important. One option to speed up Windows is to use a flash drive as RAM. Now I will tell you how to speed up Windows using a flash drive and ReadyBoost technology on a computer or laptop.

ReadyBoost is a software technology that allows you to use the free memory of a flash drive or any other external Flash memory drive (SD card, SSD drive) as additional RAM, thereby speeding up your computer.

How does ReadyBoost work?

When using a flash drive (external flash drive) as additional RAM, the ReadyBoost.sfcache file is created on it. The ReadyBoost.sfcache file writes (caches) small files that are used most often. They are accessed faster than from a hard drive, and this speeds up the operation of the entire system. In addition, data can be read in parallel from several devices at once (flash drive and hard drive), which also increases productivity.

ReadyBoost technology allows increase system performance by up to 30%. Agree, a one-third increase in productivity will not hurt anyone.

ReadyBoost Terms of Use

To take advantage of ReadyBoost technologies, a Flash drive must have the following characteristics:

The memory capacity of the flash drive is not less than 1 gigabyte and no more than 32 gigabytes.
The speed of the flash drive is not 2.5 MB/sec

You can connect up to 8 ReadyBoost devices on a Windows 7 computer. The maximum amount of such memory for Windows 7 x64 is 256 gigabytes, and for Windows 7 x64 – 32 gigabytes.

If you connect a drive with a capacity of more than 4 gigabytes, you must format it to the NTFS file system.

The optimal volume of the connected flash drive (Flash drive) should be 2 - 3 times larger than the amount of RAM on the computer.

If you have 2 gigabytes of RAM, then use a 4 gigabyte flash drive.

Enabling ReadyBoost

Insert a flash drive or other storage device into a computer running the Windows operating system (starting with Windows Vista). The drive will autostart. In the list of possible actions, select “Speed up the system.”

Now make active “Provide this device for ReadyBoost technology” and set the amount of memory that will be used to speed things up. If you have an empty flash drive, you can use all its space.

Click “Apply” and “Ok”.

If you have disabled autostart of the drive, then open the properties of the flash drive through the “Computer” folder and select the “ReadyBoost” tab.

Never remove the drive from the computer. First you need to disable ReadyBoost, otherwise it may lead to failure of the flash drive.

Disabling ReadyBoost

To disable ReadyBoost, go to the properties of the flash drive to the “ReadyBoost” tab. Select “Don't use this device” and click “Apply”.

How to best use ReadyBoost

On a home (stationary) computer

The best option for speeding up your home computer is a flash drive. Many SSD drives are very fast and will not allow you to use ReadyBoost. It will simply not be effective. In addition, not all desktop computers have a card reader to connect an SD card.

It is better to connect the flash drive from the back of the system unit, no matter what it occupies the external USB ports from the front of the system unit.

If you are thinking about speeding up your home computer, then check whether your computer has free slots for connecting RAM. It's better to buy more RAM than a flash drive and ReadyBoost. The effect of increasing RAM will be much greater. But if you have an unnecessary flash drive, then feel free to use it to increase the speed of your computer.

On a laptop (netbook)

In a laptop, USB ports are very important, as there are quite a few of them (usually 3-4 ports). But almost all laptops have a memory card slot. To speed up the laptop, it is best to use memory cards; they do not occupy USB ports and do not interfere with the movement of the laptop.

For most users of a personal computer or laptop, fast operation of the device is important. This requires an optimal amount of RAM, which determines system performance.

But not everyone can afford to upgrade modules, and for some, installing RAM is too difficult or expensive.

In this case, you can increase the device’s virtual memory without unnecessary investments using a flash drive.

How to make a regular flash drive into computer RAM - step-by-step instructions

If you decide to use a flash drive as RAM, follow these steps:

Right-click on the flash drive, select “Properties” and click on the “ReadyBoost” tab. The device will start scanning

Then you should load the RAM completely. When the download completes, the “ReadyBoost” technology will turn on, which prevents the RAM from being fully loaded (there is always about 10% left).

It can work immediately, and the operating system can read different data from the flash drive and RAM at the same time, thereby increasing the speed of the system.

“ReadyBoost” is a software technology through which a computer can freely use the memory of a flash drive, which in this case is an addition to the PC’s RAM.

“ReadyBoost” technology can be used when there is not enough virtual memory, as well as in addition to RAM, which will give a slight increase in performance.

To effectively use this program, you must have at least 1 GB and no more than 32 GB of Flash memory.

It is worth noting that the reading speed from a flash drive is noticeably slower, but, nevertheless, with its help you can easily increase RAM. In case you have a USB 3.0 connector and a flash drive with high read write speed, this will give the additional RAM maximum speed.

If you no longer need a flash drive as RAM, you should go to its “properties”, then to the “ReadyBoost” tab, click “don’t use this device” and select “ok”.