Paging File Size Windows 11 __exclusive__ <2026 Edition>

Optimal values depend strictly on your total physical RAM. Use these standard guidelines: 12GB (1.5x physical RAM) Maximum: 24GB (3x physical RAM) Minimum: 24GB (1.5x physical RAM) Maximum: 48GB (3x physical RAM) 32GB RAM or More Minimum: 4GB to 8GB (Only for crash dumps) Maximum: 16GB to 32GB (Rarely fully utilized) How to Change Paging File Size in Windows 11

When your RAM gets full, Windows moves data you aren't currently using (like a minimized app) from the RAM to the paging file on your storage drive. This frees up physical RAM for active tasks. When you click that minimized app again, Windows swaps the data back. paging file size windows 11

Satisfies older applications requiring rigid virtual memory boundaries. Recommended Paging File Sizes for Windows 11 Optimal values depend strictly on your total physical RAM

Reclaims gigabytes of storage on small system drives. When you click that minimized app again, Windows

The paging file (usually C:\pagefile.sys , hidden) is a system file Windows uses as . When your physical RAM runs low, Windows moves less-frequently accessed data from RAM to the page file on your SSD or HDD.