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How to set up and use ReadyBoost for performance.

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How to Set Up and Use ReadyBoost for Improved Performance

ReadyBoost is a feature in Windows operating systems that allows you to use a USB flash drive or SD card as a cache to improve your computer's performance. By utilizing the additional storage from a flash device, ReadyBoost helps speed up your system's operations, especially if you have limited RAM. This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up and using ReadyBoost on your Windows computer.

Prerequisites

  1. A USB flash drive or SD card with at least 4GB of free space.
  2. A Windows computer running Windows Vista or later (ReadyBoost is not available on Windows XP).

Setting up ReadyBoost

Follow these steps to set up ReadyBoost on your computer:

  1. Connect your USB flash drive or insert your SD card into the appropriate slot on your computer.

  2. Open Windows File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E or by clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar.

  3. Locate your USB flash drive or SD card in the list of available drives.

  4. Right-click on the drive and select Properties from the context menu.

  5. In the Properties window, click on the ReadyBoost tab.

    ReadyBoost Tab

  6. Ensure that the "Do not use this device" radio button is selected. If it's not selected, click on it to clear the existing cache and set up a new one.

  7. Choose the Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost option. This option allocates the entire storage of the device to ReadyBoost.

  8. Adjust the slider to determine how much space to allocate for ReadyBoost. It's recommended to reserve about 1-3 times the amount of RAM you have on your computer.

  9. Click the Apply button to apply the changes.

Using ReadyBoost

Once you've set up ReadyBoost, it will automatically start caching data to improve system performance. Here are a few additional tips on using ReadyBoost effectively:

Monitor ReadyBoost Performance

To monitor the performance of ReadyBoost on your system:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.

  2. Switch to the Performance tab.

  3. In the left sidebar, click on Memory to display the current ReadyBoost cache status and usage.

    Task Manager - Memory

Ejecting or Removing the ReadyBoost Device

If you want to remove the ReadyBoost cache or eject the flash drive/SD card, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on the ReadyBoost device and select Eject from the context menu.

    Ejecting ReadyBoost Device

  2. Safely remove the USB flash drive or SD card from your computer.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with ReadyBoost, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  1. Ensure that your USB flash drive or SD card is in good working condition by testing it with another computer or device.
  2. Reinsert the flash drive or SD card into a different USB port or slot on your computer.
  3. Update your computer's drivers by visiting the manufacturer's website and downloading the latest drivers for your specific model.
  4. Disable and re-enable ReadyBoost by following the steps to set up ReadyBoost again.

ReadyBoost can greatly enhance your computer's performance by utilizing the additional storage provided by a USB flash drive or SD card. By following this tutorial, you should be able to set up and effectively use ReadyBoost to speed up your computer's operations. Enjoy the improved performance!