A segment of memory that is produced MOMENTARILY on the storage device is referred to as virtual memory. It occurs when a computer's RAM gets depleted as a result of multiple processes executing at the same time.

A part of the storage disc is made accessible for usage as RAM by the operating system. Because processor power is consumed by moving data around rather than performing instructions, virtual memory is substantially slower than main memory. The operating systems guide shows how the operating system handles memory. When the computer needs to use virtual memory, latency increases. The operating system employs SWAPPING to transport data between RAM and virtual memory. Data from processes that aren't in use right now is moved out of RAM and STORED in virtual memory by the operating system. When the PROCESS is needed again, it copies the data back into RAM.

As transferring to a HARD disc takes far longer than reading and writing RAM, using virtual memory slows down the machine.