How do I enable large pages on Windows for XMRig?

To enable large pages for XMRig on Windows, run XMRig as an administrator so it can enable the Lock pages in memory permission, then restart Windows. Keep "huge-pages": true in XMRig’s CPU settings and check its startup output to confirm that large pages are actually being used.

Why large pages help

Windows normally divides memory into small pieces called pages. Large pages let XMRig work with bigger pieces, which reduces the work your processor does to keep track of memory.

This helps Monero’s mining algorithm, RandomX, run more efficiently. Your improvement depends on your processor and memory setup, so there is no fixed speed increase.

XMRig calls this feature huge pages, while Windows usually calls it large pages. For this setup, those names refer to the same feature. These steps apply to the standalone XMRig program, not mining code running inside your web browser.

Try XMRig’s automatic setup first

Save any open work, then follow these steps:

1. Stop XMRig if it is running.
2. Right-click xmrig.exe and choose Run as administrator. If you start mining with a batch file, run that file as administrator instead.
3. Approve the Windows permission prompt.
4. Let XMRig start, then look for a message about huge-page support or the large-page permission.
5. Stop XMRig and restart Windows.
6. Start XMRig again and check the output.

XMRig can normally grant the required permission automatically when it runs with administrator rights. The restart lets Windows apply that permission to a fresh sign-in session.

Only give administrator access to a copy of XMRig you trust. Avoid mining downloads that ask you to disable your security software indiscriminately.

Set the permission manually if needed

On Windows editions that include Local Security Policy, such as Pro, Enterprise, and Windows Server:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter secpol.msc and press Enter.
3. Open Local Policies → User Rights Assignment.
4. Double-click Lock pages in memory.
5. Select Add User or Group.
6. Add the Windows account that actually runs XMRig.
7. Apply the change and restart Windows.

If XMRig runs through a service or scheduled task, make sure you grant the permission to that task’s account, not just your everyday login.

Windows Home usually does not include this policy editor. Try XMRig’s administrator-based setup instead; you do not need to download an unofficial policy-editor installer.

On a managed work PC or server, organization policies may override your change. Ask the administrator rather than trying to bypass those controls.

Confirm that allocation succeeds

In your existing config.json, check that the cpu section contains:

"huge-pages": true

Edit the existing setting rather than adding a second cpu section.

At startup, look for both:

• Huge pages supported or enabled: Windows permits their use.
• A successful allocation percentage: Ideally, the relevant allocation reports show 100%.

Permission alone does not guarantee allocation. If the percentage is low or zero, restart Windows and launch XMRig before memory-heavy applications. Available memory and memory fragmentation—free memory scattered into small pieces—can affect success.

The bottom line

Enable the permission, restart Windows, and verify allocation in XMRig’s output. You do not need Windows paging-file tweaks or Linux-style 1 GB page settings to enable ordinary large pages on Windows.