In the early days of Windows, the pagefile helped make up for shortages in physical memory. But should you be using a pagefile on a virtual machine?

The Windows 11 page file (pagefile.sys) acts as a form of virtual memory for the operating system, freeing up the physical RAM for higher priority applications, drivers, files, etc.

In the event you purchase sufficient RAM for your Windows XP-based computer, you might want to reclaim the disk space by setting the virtual memory back to its default.

Virtually all desktop and laptop PCs have virtual memory, a technology that uses part of the hard drive as though it were RAM. Virtual memory conveys a number of advantages, including the ability ...

By default, Hyper-V assigns a measly amount of RAM to virtual machines you create. For best performance in the virtual PC, adjust these numbers, and use dynamic memory for maximum flexibility.

Virtual memory can expand your PC's capabilities, but it will also slow it down. Understanding the swap file will help you make the right decision.