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Step-by-Step Guide to Enable and Utilize ReadyBoost on Windows 10

2024/07/01
PC Repair

Key Notes

  • ReadyBoost is effective primarily with HDDs, not SSDs.
  • Ensure your device meets compatibility requirements for ReadyBoost.
  • Disabling ReadyBoost can free up storage for other uses.

Boost Your Windows 10 Performance with ReadyBoost

In a world where technology drives efficiency, making the most of your Windows 10 performance can considerably enhance your computing experience. ReadyBoost serves as an innovative solution for users relying on traditional hard drives (HDDs), allowing for an easy speedup using a USB drive or SD card. This guide will walk you through enabling ReadyBoost, troubleshooting potential issues, and disabling the feature if needed.

How to Enable ReadyBoost in Windows 10

Step 1: Set Up ReadyBoost with a USB Drive

Follow these steps to configure ReadyBoost with a USB drive:

  1. Insert your USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
  2. Open File Explorer by clicking on the yellow folder icon on the taskbar or pressing Win + E.
  3. Locate your USB drive listed under the This PC section.
  4. Right-click on the USB drive and select Properties.
  5. Navigate to the ReadyBoost tab and allow Windows to test compatibility.
  6. Select the option Use this device.
  7. Use the slider to determine how much space to allocate for ReadyBoost and click Apply followed by OK.

Pro Tip: Allowing frequently accessed data to reside on the USB helps your system operate faster than relying on the hard drive alone.

Step 2: Set Up ReadyBoost with an SD Card

To utilize an SD card for ReadyBoost, follow these steps:

  1. Insert the SD card into your computer’s designated SD card slot.
  2. Open File Explorer by tapping Win + E.
  3. Right-click on the SD card drive and choose Properties.
  4. Go to the ReadyBoost tab for compatibility testing.
  5. Select Use this device.
  6. Adjust the slider to select the desired space for ReadyBoost and click OK.

Pro Tip: For laptops, keeping the SD card in the slot can provide a seamless performance enhancement.

Step 3: Troubleshoot ReadyBoost Compatibility Issues

Should you encounter issues with enabling ReadyBoost, consider the following solutions:

  1. Ensure your USB drive or SD card has at least 1GB of free space while not exceeding 32GB.
  2. Format the device to NTFS:
    • Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
    • Right-click the USB or SD card and choose Format.
    • Select NTFS from the options and click Start.
  3. Confirm that the SuperFetch (SysMain) service is active:
    • Press Win + R, then type services.msc and hit Enter.
    • Locate SysMain in the services list and verify it’s running and set to Automatic.
  4. Clear external drive folders if issues persist:
    • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
    • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EMDMgmt and remove all folders within.
    • Restart your system and attempt to enable ReadyBoost again.

Pro Tip: Following these steps ensures your external devices meet the necessary compatibility criteria for ReadyBoost.

Summary

To maximize the performance of Windows 10 systems equipped with HDDs, ReadyBoost provides an easy and effective way to enhance overall speed using USB drives or SD cards. Knowing how to enable, troubleshoot, and disable this feature can significantly improve your user experience.

Conclusion

ReadyBoost is a handy feature for users aiming to optimize performance on Windows 10 machines with traditional hard drives. By following the outlined steps, you can easily harness this feature, troubleshoot any problems, and manage your configurations with ease. For questions or feedback, we encourage you to interact in the comments section below.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is ReadyBoost effective if I use an SSD?

No, ReadyBoost is designed to enhance performance for systems using HDDs. SSDs already provide faster data access, negating the need for ReadyBoost.

What are the requirements for ReadyBoost?

To use ReadyBoost, your USB drive or SD card must have at least 1GB of available space and must be formatted as NTFS. Additionally, it should not exceed 32GB in size.

Can I use multiple USB drives for ReadyBoost?

Yes, you can utilize multiple USB drives for ReadyBoost. Each device can be configured separately to further improve performance.

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