How do I run my app with large pages in Windows?

Question

Large pages are available in Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. But how do I enable large pages for my application?

Answer 1

You will have to assign the "Lock pages in memory" privilege to any user that runs your application. This includes administrators

1. Select Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy
2. Select Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment
3. Double click "Lock pages in memory", add users and/or groups
4. Reboot the machine

Answer 2

Martin's answer is correct on Windows Server 2003:

You will have to assign the "Lock pages in memory" privilege to any user that runs your > application. This includes administrators

1. Select Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy
2. Select Local Policies -> User Rights Assignment
3. Double click "Lock pages in memory", add users and/or groups
4. Reboot the machine

On Windows Vista you need also make sure that the application is run as Administrator (by right-clicking on the application or the shell and choosing "Run as adminstrator".

In addition, it helps to have a freshly booted machine since the large pages can "run out" due to fragmentation of the heap.