Tweaks For Efficient Memory Management

Windows XP is pretty demanding on memory, especially when running several applications simultaneously. There are several tweaks you can try to enable Windows to handle memory in a smoother manner. Since all of the following tweaks are Registry-based, make certain back up your existing Registry before implementing any of these. Also, these tweaks are suggested only if you have 256 MB of RAM or more.

• Go to "Start > Run" and type "Regedit". Next, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\ SessionManager\Memory Management.

• Under this section, look on the right side pane and find the key "DisablePagingExecutive" and set this value to "1". This tweak instructs Windows to keep programs in the memory for as long as possible before paging to the hard disk, result in quicker response especially if you have plenty of memory.

• Next you need to find a key called "LargeSystemCache", double click it and change its value to "1". This instructs XP to load its kernel into memory, enabling it to run quicker. This particular tweak especially improves system response.

• Now create a new DWORD called "IOPageLockLimit"(without quotes), and set it to a value of "40000" if you have 512 MB or more. In case if you have 256 MB, set it as "10000". Remember that these should be HEX numbers. This particular tweak will speed up you disk cache.

• Under the Memory management folder on the left, you will find a folder called PrefetchParameters. Click on this folder. On the right pane, you will find a key called "EnablePrefetcher". Set this value to "3". All these tweaks put together should extract a significant amount of performance from your installation of Windows XP.