Speed up Windows Vista With Readyboost

By Rich on February 24, 2008 (43 Comments)

Using Windows Readyboost is a great way to improve the performance of your computer when doing your day-to-day tasks.

In this guide, we will learn what Readyboost is, what its requirements are, and how to get it working for you.

What is Readyboost?

Readyboost uses a USB thumb drive to create an extra cache of the most commonly used data.

How Does it Work?

Solid state memory (what your USB drive uses) has excellent transfer speeds; therefore, it can be used to store and access data that is needed quickly.

Windows Vista Readyboost uses the USB thumb drive as an extra cache between the processor and the hard disk. Unlike RAM, the data is stored on your thumb drive and can be used next time you use your computer — a great time saver.

What are the Requirements?

For a USB thumb drive to be compatible, it needs to have a minimum of 256 MB free space. Most modern USB thumb drives will meet the space and speed requirements of Readyboost.

How Can I get it Working for Me?

First, put your USB thumb drive into a USB port on your computer. The following menu will appear.

02 Speed up Windows Vista With Readyboost

Select Speed up my System with Windows Readyboost. The next screen will come up. Select Use this device and select how much of the drive you want to use for Readyboost. I recommend using a full USB drive. I would match the size of your drive to the amount of RAM you have in your laptop.

03 Speed up Windows Vista With Readyboost

Press OK, your drive will be configured and you are good to go. Don’t expect miracles – but stick with it and your computer will begin to perform more efficiently.

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

M Laney
I always wondered what that was… I dont have a USB to try it :(
M Laney
I always wondered what that was… I dont have a USB to try it :(
M Laney
I always wondered what that was… I dont have a USB to try it :(
Lou
I use this already and it is so much quicker. Your instructions are easy to follow!
Lou
I use this already and it is so much quicker. Your instructions are easy to follow!
Lou
I use this already and it is so much quicker. Your instructions are easy to follow!
Asis
Speed up my system is not appearing
Asis
Speed up my system is not appearing
Asis
Speed up my system is not appearing
Rich
How big is your thumb drive?
What is the make and model number? Some drives are not compatible with readyboost.
http://mintywhite.com/ Rich
How big is your thumb drive?
What is the make and model number? Some drives are not compatible with readyboost.
http://mintywhite.com Rich
How big is your thumb drive?
What is the make and model number? Some drives are not compatible with readyboost.
Younes
Use This Model ! OCZ Rally2 Or OCZ ATV – 1GB Or More :)
Younes
Use This Model ! OCZ Rally2 Or OCZ ATV – 1GB Or More :)
Younes
Use This Model ! OCZ Rally2 Or OCZ ATV – 1GB Or More :)
Asis
JetFlashTS2GJFV30 USB DRIVE 2GB
Is not Working.
Asis
JetFlashTS2GJFV30 USB DRIVE 2GB
Is not Working.
Asis
JetFlashTS2GJFV30 USB DRIVE 2GB
Is not Working.
Younes
eBooster Ver 2.0.2 You Can Use It In Windows Xp & Vista
This Tool Use Any Usb Drive Any External Hard Drive For Ready Boost Win Xp & Vista. It’s Cool :) ) (*)
Flash Ubs Drive Usb2 support write Speed 5mb (512mb) or More!
Younes
eBooster Ver 2.0.2 You Can Use It In Windows Xp & Vista
This Tool Use Any Usb Drive & Any External Hard Drive For Ready Boost Win Xp & Vista. It’s Cool :) ;) (*)
Flash Ubs Drive Usb2 support write Speed 5mb (512mb) or More!
Younes
eBooster Ver 2.0.2 You Can Use It In Windows Xp & Vista
This Tool Use Any Usb Drive & Any External Hard Drive For Ready Boost Win Xp & Vista. It’s Cool :) ;) (*)
Flash Ubs Drive Usb2 support write Speed 5mb (512mb) or More!
Younes
eBooster Download Link http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/eBoostr-Download-88404.html
;) Younes_Juke@Yahoo.Com I Have Serial ;)
Younes
eBooster Download Link http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/eBoostr-Download-88404.html
;) Younes_Juke@Yahoo.Com I Have Serial ;)
Younes
eBooster Download Link http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/eBoostr-Download-88404.html
;) Younes_Juke@Yahoo.Com I Have Serial ;)
Younes
ebooster:
Vistas ReadyBoost benefits on your Windows XP machine;
Smart caches frequently used applications and files for maximum performance speed up;
Supports both USB and non-USB removable media devices, as well as additional hard disks;
Allows up to 4 devices for simultaneous smart caching;
Cache file size of up to 4GB on each device;
Compatible with all ReadyBoost ready devices.
The eBoostr trial version has no time expiration and you can evaluate it for as long as you wish. However the product demo is fully functional only for 4 hours after each system boot. This will allow you to evaluate the product and estimate how it performs on your configuration. Enjoy It:)
Hey I Have Srial ;)
Younes
ebooster:
Vistas ReadyBoost benefits on your Windows XP machine;
Smart caches frequently used applications and files for maximum performance speed up;
Supports both USB and non-USB removable media devices, as well as additional hard disks;
Allows up to 4 devices for simultaneous smart caching;
Cache file size of up to 4GB on each device;
Compatible with all ReadyBoost ready devices.
The eBoostr trial version has no time expiration and you can evaluate it for as long as you wish. However the product demo is fully functional only for 4 hours after each system boot. This will allow you to evaluate the product and estimate how it performs on your configuration. Enjoy It:)
Hey I Have Srial ;)
Younes
ebooster:
Vistas ReadyBoost benefits on your Windows XP machine;
Smart caches frequently used applications and files for maximum performance speed up;
Supports both USB and non-USB removable media devices, as well as additional hard disks;
Allows up to 4 devices for simultaneous smart caching;
Cache file size of up to 4GB on each device;
Compatible with all ReadyBoost ready devices.
The eBoostr trial version has no time expiration and you can evaluate it for as long as you wish. However the product demo is fully functional only for 4 hours after each system boot. This will allow you to evaluate the product and estimate how it performs on your configuration. Enjoy It:)
Hey I Have Srial ;)
Roger
I want to try this but if I leave my USB memory stick in my USB port I can’t start up Vista until I pull it out
hhhmmm?
is it worth it?
Roger
I want to try this but if I leave my USB memory stick in my USB port I can’t start up Vista until I pull it out
hhhmmm?
is it worth it?
Roger
I want to try this but if I leave my USB memory stick in my USB port I can’t start up Vista until I pull it out
hhhmmm?
is it worth it?
Mel
Interesting use of a usb stick!
Mel
You probably just need to straiten out your bios settings..
Mel
You probably just need to straiten out your bios settings..
Mel
Interesting use of a usb stick!
Mel
What seems to be the problem? How do you know it isn’t working?
Mel
What seems to be the problem? How do you know it isn’t working?
Mel
Yep – looks like my main one won’t work either.
Mel
Yep – looks like my main one won’t work either.
Mel
Interesting use of a usb stick!
Mel
You probably just need to straiten out your bios settings..
Mel
What seems to be the problem? How do you know it isn’t working?
Mel
Yep – looks like my main one won’t work either.
- Guest
  Interesting use of a usb stick!

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