Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

Virtual memory or virtual memory addressing is a feature of computer systems wherin "permanent" data storage is used to assist in handling processing functions, thereby freeing more RAM or main memory (i.e. "active" or "fast" memory) to be used by running software. The use of virtual memory, though slower than if more RAM were added, allows a computer system to handle larger files and operate with more memory "headroom" than the computer actually physically possesses.

Related Terms

Virtual memory