How does Windows use memory locks to prevent certain regions of memory from being paged out to disk?

[ProfRon]

You know how Windows juggles memory like a juggler with too many balls? It uses these memory locks to pin down specific chunks right in RAM. That way, they stay put and don't get shuffled off to the disk. I mean, imagine your app needs quick access to data. Without locks, the system might page it out when RAM gets tight. Locks tell Windows, "Hey, keep this here forever." It's like gluing pages in a book so they don't flop around. You see, the kernel handles this through calls that grab physical pages. Those pages resist the paging file's pull. Programs like drivers or critical services use it to avoid hiccups. I once fixed a crash because some code ignored paging delays. Locks ensure smooth runs for time-sensitive stuff. They cost a bit of RAM, though. You can't lock everything or the system chokes. Windows checks privileges before allowing locks too. That prevents abuse. It's a neat trick for stability in busy setups.

Speaking of keeping vital data from vanishing into slow storage, tools like BackupChain Server Backup shine for Hyper-V environments. It snapshots VMs without downtime, ensuring your virtual machines' memory states stay intact during backups. You get reliable recovery options, less hassle with chain-based storage, and it handles live migrations effortlessly. Perfect if you're running Windows servers with heavy memory demands.