How to Change Page File Size in Windows 11

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to adjust the virtual memory page file size in Windows 11. You’ll learn to set a custom size for the page file, which can help resolve low-memory errors or improve system stability on PCs with limited RAM. You’ll need administrator access to your PC and a basic understanding of your system’s RAM capacity.

What You’ll Need

Administrator account on the Windows 11 PC
Knowledge of your installed RAM amount (you can check in Settings > System > About)
A rough idea of how much free disk space you have on the drive where the page file resides (usually C:)

Step-by-Step

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter. This opens the System Properties window.
Go to the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click the Settings… button.
In the Performance Options window, switch to the Advanced tab. Under Virtual memory, click Change….
In the Virtual Memory dialog, uncheck the box that says “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” at the top.
Select the drive where you want to change the page file (typically C:).
Choose Custom size. In the Initial size (MB) and Maximum size (MB) fields, enter values in megabytes (1 GB = 1024 MB). A common recommendation is to set both to 1.5 times your RAM or let Windows manage it, but you can set a fixed size. For example, with 8 GB RAM, you might set both to 8192 MB or 12288 MB.
Click Set, then OK. You’ll be prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Save any open work and restart.

Common Mistakes

Setting the page file too small: If you set it lower than what Windows needs, you may get “low on memory” errors or crashes. Avoid setting it below the recommended size.
Disabling the page file entirely: Even with lots of RAM, some applications expect a page file. Disabling it can cause issues with memory-intensive programs.
Setting a fixed size too small: If you set a fixed size that’s too small, Windows cannot expand it, leading to performance problems. If you want a fixed size, make sure it’s large enough for your workload.
Forgetting to restart: The change won’t take effect until you restart your PC.
Changing the wrong drive: Make sure you select the correct drive (usually C:) before applying the custom size.

Tips

Let Windows manage it: For most users, letting Windows automatically manage the page file is the safest option. It adjusts dynamically based on your needs.
Use a fixed size: If you want consistent performance, set the initial and maximum to the same value. This prevents fragmentation and reduces the chance of Windows resizing it during heavy use.
Consider your RAM: If you have 16 GB or more RAM, the page file is rarely used. You can keep it small (e.g., 2-4 GB) to save disk space.
Monitor usage: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) > Performance > Memory to see how much page file is being used. If it’s consistently near the maximum, consider increasing it.

Troubleshooting

If the changes don’t seem to apply, or you encounter issues:

Check if you have admin rights: You must be logged in as an administrator. If you’re not, the settings may be grayed out.
Ensure the drive has enough space: The page file needs contiguous free space. If your drive is full, Windows may not be able to create the file. Free up some space and try again.
Restart properly: Sometimes a shutdown and restart is more effective than a simple restart. Do a full shutdown (Shift + Restart) to clear any lingering memory settings.
If you get a blue screen (BSOD): This can happen if you set the page file too small. Boot into Safe Mode, revert to “Automatically manage” or increase the size, then restart normally.
If the option is grayed out: It might be because the “Automatically manage” checkbox is still checked. Uncheck it first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the page file?

The page file (also called virtual memory) is a file on your hard drive that Windows uses as an extension of RAM. When RAM is full, Windows moves some data to the page file to free up memory.

How big should I make the page file?

A common guideline is to set it to 1.5 times your RAM for the initial size and 3 times for the maximum, but this is outdated. For modern systems with 8 GB+ RAM, setting it to 1.5 times RAM or letting Windows manage it is fine. You can also set a fixed size equal to your RAM.

Should I disable the page file if I have lots of RAM?

No. Some applications and system processes expect a page file to exist. Disabling it can cause instability or crashes, even with ample RAM. It’s better to keep a small page file (e.g., 1-2 GB) than to disable it.

Can I move the page file to another drive?

Yes, you can. In the Virtual Memory dialog, select the drive you want to use, set a custom size or system-managed size, and then set the original drive to “No paging file.” This can improve performance if the new drive is faster (e.g., SSD).

Why does Windows keep changing my page file size?

If you have “Automatically manage” enabled, Windows adjusts the size based on demand. If you set a custom size and it still changes, check that you clicked “Set” after entering the values and that you restarted.

Will increasing the page file speed up my PC?

Not necessarily. If your PC is slow because of low RAM, increasing the page file can help prevent crashes but won’t make it as fast as adding more RAM. The page file is slower than RAM, so relying on it heavily can actually slow things down.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.