ReadyBoost
Updated: 09/15/2017 by Computer Hope
ReadyBoost is a feature introduced with Microsoft Windows Vista. It uses memory found in USB (universal serial bus) storage devices or other external flash memory storage as an extension to the computers overall system memory. ReadyBoost is designed to increase the performance of Windows, without installing additional RAM (random-access memory) in the computer.
Microsoft recommends the amount of memory to be used with ReadyBoost be one to three times the amount of RAM installed in your computer. For example, if your computer has 512 MB of RAM and you connect a 4 GB USB flash drive, setting aside from 512 MB to 1.5 GB of that drive offers the best performance boost.
How to enable ReadyBoost
To enable or otherwise adjust this setting, follow the steps below.
- Open My Computer.
- Right-click the drive letter for the USB device or other flash memory storage device and select Properties.
- In the Removable Disk Properties window, click the ReadyBoost tab.
- To use the device with ReadyBoost, select "Use this device." Then, move the slider to the right to specify how much of the storage device you want to use with ReadyBoost.