ReadyBoost facts for kids
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ReadyBoost as it appears in Windows 10.
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
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| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Service name | ReadyBoost (EMDMgmt) |
| Type | Disk Cache |
ReadyBoost is a special program made by Microsoft for Windows Vista and newer versions of Windows. It helps your computer run faster by using flash memory devices, like USB flash drives or SD cards, as a temporary storage area called a cache. This cache acts like a quick-access shelf for your computer's hard drive, helping it find information more quickly. ReadyBoost works with another Windows feature called SuperFetch to decide what data to store for faster access.
Contents
How ReadyBoost Boosts Your PC
ReadyBoost uses fast flash memory to help your computer find small pieces of data faster than a regular hard drive can. Think of it like this: your hard drive is a big library, and flash memory is a small, super-fast bookshelf right next to your desk. When your computer needs a small piece of information quickly, ReadyBoost checks the fast bookshelf first. If it's there, your computer gets it much faster than if it had to search the whole library.
This speedy access helps with all kinds of data, not just special system files. Flash drives are great for finding random bits of data quickly. However, for very large files that need to be read in order, like when you're copying a movie, your regular hard drive is actually faster. ReadyBoost is smart enough to know when to use the flash drive and when to let the hard drive do the work.
When you plug in a compatible flash drive, Windows will ask if you want to use it to speed up your system. You can also go to the drive's properties and find a "ReadyBoost" tab to set how much space you want to use.
Setting Up ReadyBoost
- You need at least 250 megabytes (MB) of space on your flash drive for ReadyBoost to work.
- For older Windows Vista or drives formatted with FAT32, the maximum size you can use is 4 gigabytes (GB).
- If you have Windows 7 or newer, and your drive is formatted with NTFS or exFAT, you can use up to 32 GB per device.
- Windows Vista only let you use one device, but Windows 7 and later let you use several flash drives at once, up to a total of 256 GB!
- ReadyBoost also compresses (squishes) and encrypts (codes) the data it stores on the flash drive. This means it can fit more data on the drive, and your information stays safe.
What Your Device Needs
For a flash drive to work with ReadyBoost, it needs to meet certain requirements. These ensure it's fast enough to actually help your computer.
Device Requirements
- Size: The device must have at least 256 MB of free space (after it's formatted).
- Speed: It needs to be very quick at finding data. Specifically, it must have an "access time" of 1 millisecond (ms) or less.
- Read Speed: It must be able to read small 4 kilobyte (kB) files at 2.5 MB per second.
- Write Speed: It must be able to write 512 kB files at 1.75 MB per second.
- Multiple Devices: Windows 7 and newer allow you to use up to eight devices, with each device holding up to 32 GB of data. This gives you a total of 256 GB of extra memory.
- Recommended Ratio: Experts suggest using a flash drive that has between 1 to 2.5 times the amount of your computer's main memory (RAM). For example, if you have 4 GB of RAM, a 4 GB to 10 GB flash drive would be good.
Other Important Details
- File Systems: ReadyBoost works with different ways of organizing data on a drive, like NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. For larger cache sizes (over 4 GB), you'll need NTFS or exFAT.
- Performance Boost: The way ReadyBoost works was improved in Windows 7, making it even faster than in Windows Vista.
- SSD Drives: If your main computer drive is a super-fast SSD, ReadyBoost won't be active. This is because SSDs are already as fast or faster than a ReadyBoost drive.
- Data Storage: ReadyBoost stores its temporary data as a file on the flash drive. This means the drive needs to be set up like a regular storage drive with a drive letter.
- SuperFetch: ReadyBoost works closely with SuperFetch, which helps predict what data your computer will need next and loads it into the cache.
- Device Types: ReadyBoost does not work with devices like mobile phones or cameras that act like storage drives.
How ReadyBoost Helps Performance
ReadyBoost can make a big difference for computers with less RAM. For example, a computer with only 512 MB of RAM (the minimum for Windows Vista) can see a noticeable speed increase. In one test, adding 1 GB of ReadyBoost memory made a task go from 11.7 seconds down to just 2 seconds! However, adding more physical RAM to your computer usually gives the best performance boost.
The main reason ReadyBoost helps is that flash memory has a much faster "seek time" than a traditional hard drive. Seek time is how long it takes to find a piece of data. Flash drives can find data in less than 1 millisecond, while hard drives take about 12 milliseconds. This quick finding ability is where ReadyBoost shines.
While older USB 2.0 flash drives are slower than modern hard drives for copying large files in order, they are much faster for finding random bits of data. Newer USB 3.0 and Firewire flash drives are even faster.
ReadyBoost can be especially helpful for laptop computers. Laptops often have slower hard drives (like 4200 rpm or 5400 rpm) and their RAM can be more expensive.
Limitations
Flash drives can only be written to a certain number of times before they wear out. However, ReadyBoost is designed to be very smart about how it uses the drive. Microsoft says that a drive used with ReadyBoost should last for at least ten years!
See also
- Automated Tiering
- Features new to Windows Vista
- Hybrid array
- Hybrid drive
- Windows Vista I/O technologies
- Windows To Go
Images for kids
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A robot friend helping out.
