How can readyboost help

So let's start there. SuperFetch is a disk cache management technology designed to enhance the operating system's responsiveness when loading and switching between the applications you use most often. Using adaptive techniques, SuperFetch constantly monitors the data and system files related to those applications and preloads them into the cache where they can be loaded into RAM quickly. While the SuperFetch cache management technology works fine while using your system's hard disk for the cache, it does fall prey to fact that a hard disk relies on physically moving parts, which can limit the speed with which data is transferred back and forth between RAM and the cache.

This is where ReadyBoost comes into play. When you connect a flash-based memory device to your system and configure it as a ReadyBoost device, SuperFetch will copy its cache from the hard disk to the device and enlist ReadyBoost to assist in the cache management system.

Since a flash memory device doesn't rely on physically moving parts, data is transferred back and forth between RAM and the cache much more quickly and efficiently. However, ReadyBoost doesn't actually take over from SuperFetch; instead, they work in concert. Once ReadyBoost is enabled, it keeps tabs on hard disk operations and will only go into action reading and delivering files from its copy of the cache when doing so will boost performance.

For example, during sequential read operations, ReadyBoost will allow SuperFetch to use the cache on the hard disk, since the hard disk can outperform flash-based drives for these types of read operations.

During nonsequential read operations, ReadyBoost will essentially redirect SuperFetch to use the cache on the flash-based drive. Now, there are exceptions to this system. Really fast hard disks can often perform some, but not all, nonsequential read operations faster than a flash-based drive. In such cases, ReadyBoost won't provide as significant a performance gain as it would if your hard disk were slower. However, even if you have a fast hard disk, there are situations where ReadyBoost can make a big performance contribution.

So don't write it off. To ensure the safety, integrity, and efficiency of the ReadyBoost system, Microsoft added several safeguards. So if you lose the device, you won't have to worry about someone getting access to data.

All the ones I find seem to be Vista, and I wonder if Win7 offers any improvement over Vista in this area? DMA Not really, its pretty much going to be similar to Vista tbh, the only updates for readyboost with win7 were supporting more than 4gb, supporting more than 1 readyboost devices, and support to use it during boot up to improve start speed.

Erb Erb 2 2 gold badges 5 5 silver badges 14 14 bronze badges. I'm not sure this is correct. ReadyBoost does not increase memory space and so does not allow additional programs to run. What it does do is cache things so they can be loaded faster when the relevant program starts. DMA Can you give a source for your claim? I read that readyboost doesn't keep data from removable drives between reboots because of security concerns and that such behavior is normal. The rebuilds are reason I'm not using it at the moment.

If they are result of bad configuration, I'm interested in fixing that. Andreja RB cache is both compressed and encrypted to mitigate security concerns. My RB cache is not rebuilt on boot - if it was it would be pretty useless FYI, mine's an SD card that is always plugged in to the machine, and I don't know what would regularly cause cache rebuild as reported by David.

Have a read of the Wikipedia article , it's a fairly useful overview. This is an aging it doesn't include improvements brought by Win7 but useful post as well. DMA I know that it's both compressed and encrypted. I too used to use an SD card and I got rebuilds after every boot on two computers. I'll take a look at articles. Now I at least know that I'm experiencing exceptional condition which needs to be solved.

Thanks a lot! Since this discussion is not related to the question asked here, I asked separate question about preserving RB cache after reboot. Link: superuser. Show 5 more comments.

Benchmark tests by various sources have been done to show its effect Not really true. True: Windows 7 does have much better handling of the pagefile and related objects. True: ReadyBoost enables faster retrieval of small files while your disk is busy with other searches.

Namely the prefetch files small cache links to commonly used programs etc. Don't listen to that minimal amounts of RAM nonsense. It is a different system entirely. Aaron Digulla Aaron Digulla 6, 8 8 gold badges 42 42 silver badges 64 64 bronze badges. The Overflow Blog. Podcast Explaining the semiconductor shortage, and how it might end. Does ES6 make JavaScript frameworks obsolete? Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Linked Related I have a NetBook or an older PC with relatively low memory or little disk space capacity.

You can use non-volatile flash memory such as current USB memory stick or SD memory cards to improve the performance of your system. This additional memory is provided as cache memory, to speed up, for example, the loading or editing of large files. Important: You need a USB flash drive or a memory card with a free storage capacity of at least MB and a high data transfer rate.

Since you can permanently "park" SD cards in the designated PC slot, the small disks for ReadyBoost are particularly well suited. Cards with a capacity of one or two GB are indeed quite enough for ReadyBoost.

Note: The following instructions and tips relate to Windows 7, but can also be used in a similar way for Windows Vista. Using ReadyBoost 1. The storage medium is detected immediately. In the dialog box Automatic playback click on the option Speed up my system. Then with the right mouse button click on the new drive in the left directory tree, and select the command Open AutoPlay. Windows immediately determines, whether the storage medium is suitable for ReadyBoost.

If this is not the case, you will receive a corresponding note. If your storage device is ready for ReadyBoost, click on the tab ReadyBoost on the option Use this device. Windows proposes to use the free space for the memory optimization. If you follow this, you can then save no further data on the media.