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Convert a USB Pen Drive as a RAM Module

Do you feel your Windows 11 laptop lags after a software update?

Maybe your laptop tells you to add extra RAM modules to improve the system's performance.

If you feel an extra RAM module can speed up your Windows 11 computer, try the tip I share in this tutorial.


This tutorial explains converting a USB pen drive into a RAM Module.


Windows 11 and 10 devices can convert a USB Flash memory unit into Virtual RAM.

So, without investing in a new RAM Unit, you can fix the lagging issues with a simple USB Pen Drive.

Let us check how to transform an ordinary USB Pen Drive into a RAM Unit.




How To Increase RAM Using USB Drive In Windows 11 & 10?

We can fix a low RAM issue on Windows 11 laptops by turning an SD card or USB stick into a Virtual RAM module.

Microsoft ReadyBoost technology helps us to do it.


Windows ReadyBoost feature turns SD-card and Flash Memory into RAM.


Let us check the steps.


  1. Connect a USB Pen Drive to your Windows 11 Laptop.

  2. Right-click the USB Drive.

    Convert Full SD Card into a RAM Module.
  3. Click Properties from the Righ-click menu.

    Use SD Card and USB Stick as RAM modules in Windows 11.
  4. Click on ReadyBoost from the top tabs.

    How to Use Ssd As RAM?
  5. You can use two options.

    Turn a USB Flash Drive Into Extra Virtual RAM

    If you wish to convert this USB stick as a permanent RAM module, select the "Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost" option.

    If you wish to keep the data in the USB drive, select the "Use this Device" option.

  6. I chose the Use this Device option and clicked the Apply button.


Your Windows 11 device recognizes the USB drive as an extra RAM module. So, do not remove this USB drive from your PC.


Do not remove this USB stick (or SD card) without turning off the ReadyBoost.


If you want to remove the SD card or Pen Drive (acting as RAM with ReadyBoost), follow the steps below.

  • Go to the USB Drive Properties (as explained ago), and select the "Do not use this device" option.

    Turn a USB Flash Drive into Virtual RAM
  • Click the Apply button and OK.

  • Now, you can remove the pen drive from your Windows 11 notebook.


If you have an old laptop running on Windows 10 or 7, you can boost the performance by adding virtual RAM modules.


You can speed up old Windows laptops with an ordinary USB Pen Drive.


Did you know an ordinary USB pen drive can speed up old Windows laptops? You can also use SSDs as RAM modules on Windows devices.




Why Do I Need a Pen Drive as a Virtual RAM Module?

If you feel your computer lacks enough RAM, you can increase it by using USB memory as virtual Random Access Memory.


This technology is called ReadyBoost, and Microsoft enabled it on Windows Vista and above.


When you connect a flash memory card, Windows will ask if you want to use the unused portion to speed up your PC.

If you click OK, Windows converts the unused portion to virtual RAM.



Can I Convert Every Pen Drive As a Virtual RAM Module?

We cannot use all kinds of USB memories to speed up our computers.



It should meet some minimum requirements to enable ReadyBoost technology.


You can convert any USB Pen Drive as an extra RAM Module if it supports ReadyBoost.




Will Lose Content On the Pen Drive when Used as a RAM Module?

You will not lose the content on the USB flash drive if you select the option Use this Device while activating ReadyBoost.







System Requirements to Use USB Memory as Virtual Primary Memory

  1. It should be at least 256 MB.

  2. It should have an access time of 1 ms or less.

  3. It should have at least 2.5 MB/s read speed. It must have a minimum of 1.75 MB/s write speed.




Convert USB Flash Drive to Virtual RAM in Windows 7 and Above

It is not very hard to convert a USB flash drive to virtual RAM using ReadyBoost technology.


It is simple on Vita and the higher versions.


You cannot use this technology on Windows XP computers.


  1. Connect the USB Drive to your Windows PC.

  2. Right-click on the USB drive and click properties.


    Convert a USB Flash Drive into an Extra RAM Module.
  3. Click on the tab ReadyBoost and apply.


Now, if your Flash memory meets all the requirements mentioned, it will turn to virtual RAM, and you can see a considerable improvement in system performance.



Points to Remember while using ReadyBoost

Windows Vista is limited to 4 GB, but Windows 7 can support up to 256 GB of additional memory by connecting a maximum of 8 different flash drives. Windows OS older than Vista doesn't support ReadyBoost technology.


You can use ReadyBoost to convert USB Flash drives into Extra RAM modules in Windows 11 and 10.