Using Windows ReadyBoost to Increase

Performance in Vista

Introduction

In the past the only way to avoid this type of issue is to either run less programs at the same time or buy more memory and install it. The problem is that in our multitasking lives, running one program at a time just won't cut it and memory can be expensive and difficult to install for the average user. Microsoft and its partners, though, have come up with a very simple and elegant solution called Windows ReadyBoost.

Windows ReadyBoost allows Vista to use compatible USB flash drives as cache instead of the hard drive. This is faster because it has been shown that small random reads and writes on flash RAM can be 8-10 times faster than caching them to one of your hard drives. In order to really benefit from this new feature, Microsoft suggests that you provide enough space on a flash drive for ReadyBoost so that you are in at least a 1:1 ratio with your installed physical RAM. You will also need to use flash drives that meet the following specifications:

• At least 1GB of storage capacity
• The flash device must have at least 512MB free
• 5 MB/sec throughput for random 4k reads across the entire device
• 3 MB/sec throughput for random 512k writes across the entire device

In order to make it easier for you to find flash drives that support Windows ReadyBoost, look for the words Enhanced for ReadyBoost or something similar printed on the packaging of the flash drive itself. There are a number of compatible USB flash drives available for purchase, on this site.

Enabling Windows ReadyBoost

In order to get started using Windows ReadyBoost, it is as simple as plugging a ReadyBoost compatible flash drive into your Vista computer's USB port. If it is a compatible drive, Vista will detect it and display a prompt asking what you would like to do with this drive.

To assign this flash drive as the ReadyBoost device on your computer, simply click on the Speed up my system using Windows ReadyBoost option. When you click on that option a new screen will appear showing the ReadyBoost properties.

 To enable the flash drive as your ReadyBoost drive, select the option labeled Use This Device. Then use the slider labeled Space to reserve for system speed to reserve the amount of space you would like to assign to ReadyBoost. Microsoft recommends that you have at least a 1:1 ratio between ReadyBoost memory and physical memory. It is important to note, though, that any space you assign to be used by ReadyBoost will not be available to use for storing files on the flash drive while in ReadyBoost mode.

When you are satisfied with the settings, click on the Apply and then the OK buttons. Your flash drive is now assigned as your ReadyBoost device and will be used as cache when you run out of physical RAM.

If ReadyBoost Has Been Disabled

Some people when trying to optimize their systems, disable services that they do not use. Vista comes with a service called ReadyBoost that is started automatically. If you stop, or disable, this service Vista will not prompt for whether or not you want to use this drive to speed up your PC using ReadyBoost when you insert a USB flash drive. If that is happening to you, do the following to enable and start the ReadyBoost service.

1. Click on the Start button.
   
2. In the search field on the Start button type services.msc and press the enter key.
   
3. When User Access Control asks if you would like to continue, do so or provide administrative account credentials to do so.
   
4. Scroll down to and double-click on the ReadyBoost service.
   
   
   1. Change the Startup Type drop down menu to to Automatic.
      
   2. Then press the Start button to start the service.
      
   3. Press the OK button.
      
      
5. Now close the Services console.

The ReadyBoost service should now be started and if you reinsert the flash drive it will prompt you to use the drive for ReadyBoost.

How to Detemine if Windows ReadyBoost is working

A question that we see often is how to tell whether or not ReadyBoost is even working. Unfortunately Vista does not provide a great deal of information that is easy to understand about how often ReadyBoost is used. We can though gather information about whether its active and being used via two methods.

The first method is simply to open the folder of the removable storage device that we are using as the ReadyBoost drive. Once you open the drive you will see a file called ReadyBoost and it will have a file type description of ReadyBoost Cache File. The size of the file will also be the same as what you allocated towards ReadyBoost. An example of this type of file can be seen below.