Most supported Lumia smartphones are budget devices with 1 GB of RAM. This volume was sufficient for Windows times Phone 8.1, but the reality is that Windows 10 Mobile often lacks it. Think Edge tabs that reload when the browser is restored from the background, or heavy apps that close everything else when you open them. But there is a solution to this problem - the use of a paging file.

What is a swap file?

(or virtual memory) - a special place on the internal drive that is used by the system when there is a lack of RAM. Windows 10 Mobile is the only mobile system capable of this functionality. By default, on any device running Windows 10 Mobile, this file is 256MB in size. AT mobile system there are no tools to reduce or increase it.

How does it work in Windows 10 Mobile?

It turned out that the same mechanism for working with virtual memory is built into mobile Windows as in desktop. The swap file can be dynamic, meaning the system can control its size depending on the tasks it performs. Activation of this function, coupled with an increase in the maximum possible volume virtual memory can significantly improve the performance of your device with heavy applications, as well as with programs in the background.

How to change the swap file size?

Warning: You perform all the actions described below at your own peril and risk. To undo your changes, you may need to reset your preferences.

Warning 2: some apps designed for Windows phone 8.1 may stop running after following these steps. If you also catch this problem, revert all values ​​in the registry back.

  • Do Interop Unlock according to the instruction "" or "".
  • Go to Interop Tools. Select This Device.
  • Open the hamburger menu and find the item Registry Browser. AT latest version Interop Tools it is in the category Registry.
  • Go to branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ session manager\Memory Management.
  • Find the key PagingFiles. Click on it.
  • Edit its value according to the instructions below. Save your changes.
  • Restart your smartphone.

What to do with the PagingFiles key?

The value of this key looks like this: u:\pagefile.sys 256 256

First we see the address of the swap file, then two numbers separated by a space. The first is its minimum size, the second is its maximum. By default, both numbers are 256.

The whole point of our operation is to create a dynamic file that the system will manage itself, depending on its needs. To do this, we should substitute 2 different numbers instead of these numbers. In addition, the size of the paging file can be increased.

On devices like Lumia 640 or Lumia 735 with 8 GB internal memory and 1 GB of RAM I recommend setting values ​​like 256 and 768 or 512 and 1024. On devices with larger storage, you can use more impressive numbers, for example, 1024 and 2048. Remember that the numbers are separated by a single space.

What not to do with the PagingFiles key?

  • Do not change the location of the paging file. No need to move it to SD card or other folder. The consequences can be unpredictable. Perhaps your system just won't boot.
  • Do not set the minimum size to less than 128 MB.
  • When choosing maximum size please note that you must have enough internal memory. Leave 1 GB of storage just in case. For example, if you have 2 GB free, you have a maximum swap file size of 1 GB.
    If the virtual memory size exceeds or approaches the available space, you risk serious problems.
  • You should not increase the amount of virtual memory to 3 GB and beyond. The maximum is 2 GB, even on devices like the Lumia 950.

Have you noticed improvements in multitasking after doing these steps?

After upgrading to Windows 10, many users began to complain about the problem of using an incomplete amount of RAM. For example, let's take a case from the Microsoft forum. When installing 6 GB of RAM in Windows 10 32, only 3.92 GB was displayed. The entire amount of RAM was inaccessible, or rather, the system simply did not see it. In some cases, reinstalling the RAM sticks in places and cleaning the contacts helped to solve this problem. However, in some cases this problem could not be solved.

Ways to customize the display of all RAM on Windows 10

If you are faced with a situation where not all RAM is available on Windows 10 and you have not swapped modules, you should follow these steps:

  • Press "Win + R" and enter "msconfig".
  • The System Configuration window opens. Go to the "Download" tab. Click on the "Advanced Options" button.

  • A small window will open. Here you need to uncheck "Maximum memory".

  • After saving the changes, you need to restart your computer and see how much memory is being used.

If Windows 10 does not see the full amount of RAM, it is worth removing the strips from the slots and swapping them. We also recommend cleaning the contacts of the RAM modules. To do this, take a stationery gum and gently wipe the dirt from the contacts.

If you insert the modules incorrectly, a post will pass when the PC boots. You will need to return the modules to their places and restart the computer. After Windows boot 10 32 bits, you need to download the MemTest86 program and check the performance of the RAM.

If everything is in order with the modules, but Windows does not see all the RAM, you may be using old version firmware motherboard and you need to update the BIOS, as well as check some of its parameters.

  • The first BIOS setting, which is responsible for stable work RAM is a reallocation of memory. This section may be named differently in different firmware versions (Memory Hole Remapping, H/W DRAM Over 4GB Remapping, Hardware Memory Hole). Therefore, it is worth studying in detail the instructions for the board or finding a description for the version of the BIOS used.

The memory remapping function moves the address blocks used by expansion cards to an address space beyond 4 GB. Thus, it is possible to increase the amount of RAM (otherwise Windows 10 will see 3-3.5 GB). For full support of this volume, it is necessary to use 64 bit processors and 64-bit OS versions (or server versions of 32-bit operating systems that can be extended physical addresses PAE). If you have less RAM, be sure to turn this option off (Disabled), as there may be problems with the RAM. Enabling memory reallocation - value Enabled.

  • Memory settings for AGP video aperture is the amount of memory that the system shares with the video adapter. It is necessary for displaying textures and rendering images. This amount of memory may not be used by the system if it is blocked by the video adapter. There is only one way to enable it: boot into BIOS, select AGP Aperture size. Default values ​​are 32MB, 64MB, 128MB and Auto. We look at how much memory the video card has and set the required value by value. Often this is 128 MB. However, you can try each of the options to see which one gives the best result.

After making all changes to BIOS settings you need to boot into Windows and check if the entire amount of RAM is visible. If the system still does not see the RAM, it is worth trying to insert other modules into the slot. Perhaps the old RAM sticks are out of order or have defects.

For information on why the system does not see all the RAM and how to fix it, see the video:


The company has always talked and talk about versatility operating system, that it can be sent to any device that responds at least minimum requirements. Naturally, manufacturers took advantage of this and introduced devices to the market with only 16 GB of Flash memory. But such a small amount of memory is certainly not enough to update the device every time. current version operating system. After all, it is commonplace that there is often not enough free disk space. Of course, users complain about this inconvenience. But there are two ways to solve this problem. The first one is very simple - to free up the necessary amount of memory, but sometimes it does not help. You won't be able to do this because the operating system will take up a lot of memory and you won't be able to clean up the disk. But this is where the second method comes in handy, which I want to tell you about, based on my personal experience and practical skills.


The release of Windows 10 has generated a lot of rumors, disputes, complaints, problems and ways to solve them. The company has always talked and is talking about the universality of the operating system, that it can be used on any device that meets at least the minimum requirements. Naturally, manufacturers took advantage of this and introduced devices to the market with only 16 GB of Flash memory. But such a small amount of memory is certainly not enough to update the device to the current version of the operating system every time. After all, it is commonplace that there is often not enough free disk space. Of course, users complain about this inconvenience. But there are two ways to solve this problem. The first is very simple - to free the required amount of memory, but sometimes it does not help. You won't be able to do this because the operating system will take up a lot of memory and you won't be able to clean up the disk. But this is where the second method comes in handy, which I want to tell you about, based on my personal experience and practical skills.

Create a Windows 10 installation flash drive

In his articles he described many times the method of creating Windows ISO 10 using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool. But still I will tell you step by step about its creation, since there are still some nuances here. First of all, you need to format the USB drive, it must also have at least 16 GB of memory. This will be especially important for us when updating.

You can download the utility from the official Microsoft website if you follow the link https://www.microsoft.com/uk-ua/software-download/windows10 and click on the button Downloadmeansnow.

Run the downloaded utility and click on the option Create installation carrier for another computer.

Now just about the nuance that I wrote above. You need to select a country, language and architecture, that is, bit depth, systems.

It is very important to choose exactly the bit depth that is installed on your device. I had a 32-bit version of the OS. Of course, my hands were itching to install the 64-bit version, but I didn’t risk it, because critical problems could arise, so I don’t recommend it to you either.

In the list that appears, select your USB drive, on which you just want to download the operating system. A few minutes of patience and your boot Windows flash drive 10 will be ready.

A little about the Bravis WXi89 3G tablet

The device on which I installed the Windows 10 update was a very budget tablet with a Bravis WXi89 3G docking station. IPS technology. On the left side of the tablet you will see connectors microUSB, microHDMI, mini-jack 3.5 mm, card slot microSD memory and program Windows button., and on the right you can find a microphone. At the top is the power button, the volume rocker, and to the right is the slot for nanoSIM, at the bottom are the contacts for the dock and grooves.

That is, there are clearly few connectors, given that we will have to connect a USB drive. It's good that there is an OTG adapter that will solve this problem. But during installation, you also need to keep the device on charge. This is where the docking station became a lifeline for me, on which you will see the much-needed USB2.0 connectors on the sides. Just in one of them I stuck my flash drive.

The tablet is powered by a 4-core Intel processor Atom Z3735F, which runs at 1.83 GHz and has integrated Intel HD Graphics. Random access memory in a 1 GB device, the drive is limited to 16 GB of flash memory. It is also possible to expand the memory up to 64 GB using the microSD card slot. As you can see, there is very little memory, which of course I found in Explorer.

Installing Windows 10 version 1607 update

First of all, I noticed that in the Update Center I was offered to upgrade to Windows 10 version 1607

I decided to try to get an update to the latest version. As it turned out, I couldn't do it. The system gave me an error in just a couple of minutes, opening which, I found that Windowsrequiredmoreplaces.

My attempts ended in nothing. Even tried choosing another device as hard drive, but the update still didn't install, again drawing my attention to the fact that there wasn't enough hard drive space.

This is where the update option that I promised to tell you about will come in handy. You will remember that our USB flash drive is connected to the tablet and therefore I easily found it in File Explorer. Click on the flash drive and run the function setup, but don't forget that Save personal files m applications.

After a couple of seconds, the installation process will begin. windows updates 10. The system will notify you again that Windowsrequiredmoreplaces but now it won't be a problem for you. Click on the item Selectanotherdiskorconnectexternalharddisk,on thewhichfreenotless than 10GBspace. I chose mine as another drive. installation flash drive with Windows 10 version 1607. Then I clicked on the option Refresh, thereby starting the process of updating your device.

Owners of budget tablets under Windows control when updating the system to the latest version (for example, from Windows 10 version 1511 to), they often encounter the problem of lack of Flash memory on the gadget's built-in storage. The solution may be temporary or permanent, but you can apply another way, not so radical.

What do we need

For installation major update Windows 10 on a Freeware Deficient Device disk space you only need a few things:

  • Installation flash drive containing latest version operating system (i.e. the very update that is planned to be installed). The drive can be a microSD or USB type with a capacity of 16 GB (an 8 gig flash drive will not be enough);
  • If you only have a USB flash drive at hand, and the device on which you plan to install the update has only a MicroUSB port, then you will additionally need a USB OTG adapter that allows you to connect a device to the MicroUSB port USB standard 2.0 or 3.0.

How to create a Windows 10 installation flash drive

As mentioned above, in order to implement our plans, we need a flash drive with the latest installation Windows files 10. If you already have one - great, just make sure that the architecture of the files on it matches the architecture of the operating system on which you will roll the update, because you will not be able to install the update from a flash drive containing a 64-bit version of the OS, if now on tablet uses the 32-bit version, and vice versa. In addition, make sure that your installation drive contains an operating system edition that matches the OS edition on the device on which you will install the update, otherwise activation will fail after installation and you will need to new key product.

If there is no installation disk, create it using official utility Media Creation Tool, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website by clicking the "Download Tool Now" button.

So, run the Media Creation Tool on the tablet, check the option "Create installation media for another computer".

If necessary, we select the language, edition and architecture, but usually the Media Creation Tool determines the correct parameters automatically.

Select "USB Flash Drive" as the media type.

We select our carrier from the list. Click "Next" and wait for the files to load. At the end, click "Finish".

Installing a Windows 10 update

After creating the installation disk, you can proceed directly to installing the update.

We open the flash drive in Explorer, run the Setup.exe file and follow the instructions of the installation wizard, not forgetting to select the "Keep personal files and applications" option along the way.

When the installer says that "Windows needs more space", click "Select a different drive or connect external drive..." and choose our external drive from which the installation will be performed, i.e. it will serve us not only as a source of installation files, but also as a temporary storage in which the installer will save all the files necessary for the update procedure.

Click the "Update" button, and then - "Install". We are waiting for the installation to complete. The installation will complete after several black screens and reboots when you return to your desktop.

Note: On some tablets, the MicroUSB port is used for charging and data transfer at the same time, which makes the update process a little more difficult if a USB flash drive is used to store temporary files. Therefore, before proceeding with the update, make sure that the tablet battery is fully charged.

Have a great day!