How to Use Vista Windows ReadyBoost to Boost PC Performance

Windows ReadyBoost is an application that comes bundled with Windows Vista. In effect, it adds system memory (RAM) to your PC, automatically boosting performance without you having to install additional RAM.

Whenever you use many programs at the same time or use a RAM-intensive program, you will notice that your hard drive light keeps flickering and you hear faint clicking sounds from your computer. This is the sound of your hard drive acting as virtual memory. When you use more RAM than your computer can handle, the computer will create a swap file on the hard drive and use that as virtual memory. Data is harder to read on hard drives than they are on memory chips, which drastically slows down your system.

Initially, users had to purchase more RAM or use fewer programs at the same time, but now Microsoft has created a relatively cheaper solution for memory needs - Windows ReadyBoost.

ReadyBoost allows Windows Vista to use a USB flash drives as cache. This is much faster than using the hard drive because reading and writing from a flash drive is eight to ten times faster than caching them to your hard drive. ReadyBoost will work with compatible USB flash drives with at least
*1 gigabyte of storage, 512 megabytes of free space,
*5 megabytes per second of throughput for random 4k reads, and
*3 megabytes per second throughput for random 512k writes.

Look for the icon labeled "Enhanced for ReadyBoost" when you purchase a flash drive for ReadyBoost.

You can use ReadyBoost immediately because you can enable it once you plug in a compatible flash drive.
*A prompt will appear asking you what you want to do with the flash drive.
*Click the button labeled Speed up my system using ReadyBoost.
*A window will appear displaying the ReadyBoost properties. Select the option labeled Use This Device.
*Adjust the amount of space you want allocated to ReadyBoost by sliding the slider labeled Space to reserve for system speed.
Ideally, use a 1:1 ratio to your hard drive for maximum efficiency.
*Click Apply and then OK when you have completed.
You should now have ReadyBoost enabled.

There will be times in which you wish to disable ReadyBoost. To do this
*Click the Start button.
*Click Control Panel and the click Performance Information and Tools.
*Now click Advanced Tools. Click Configure my Windows ReadyBoost device.
*On the Windows ReadyBoost Properties screen, click Do not use this device.
*Click Apply and then OK when you are done!.