If you have a spare USB stick and are looking for a simple and cheap way to speed up Windows 10, we can recommend ReadyBoost. In this article we explain what that is and how you work with it.
ReadyBoost is a program that caches files that a computer frequently uses. Those files are stored on a USB stick. ReadyBoost uses SuperFetch. That is a smart algorithm that determines which files belong in that cache. That environment can contain system files, application files, and documents. If Windows 10 then wants to use those files, ReadyBoost ensures that they are ready. If you change the file on your hard drive, the system will automatically apply those changes everywhere.
To use ReadyBoost, you need a USB drive. The system works with USB 2 and USB 3, but the latter is recommended. You could also use a micro SD card for a laptop; as long as the speed is high enough. It is also good to know that you can use multiple ReadyBoost sticks. In addition, we recommend that you use this if you have a hard drive and not a solid state drive, as they work faster than USB sticks.
Getting Started with ReadyBoost
If you want to start with this you will need at least this:
- USB stick / SD card from at least 1 GB to a maximum of 32 GB
- Minimum transfer rate of 3.5 Mbit/s
- USB stick / SD card must be formatted to ntfs
Now it is important to check whether SuperFetch is enabled on your Windows 10 computer. In Windows 10 version 1803 or earlier, it's still called SuperFetch, but after that it's called SysMain. To do this, press the Windows logo + R. Enter the text here services.msc and press OK. Now scroll down until you come across one of the two terms. Make sure that the program is running and started automatically (if necessary, check the Characteristics via right mouse button).
Install ReadyBoost
Now put the USB stick or SD card in your computer or laptop with an HDD (so no SSD). Open the Explorer by Windows + E to use. Select the stick or card from the left menu with the right mouse button and press the option Characteristics. On the next screen you will see a tab with ReadyBoost to stand. Once the system has analyzed the stick or card, you can indicate that you want to use this device for ReadyBoost. Now press To apply and on OK.
