Windows Vista includes a new technology called ReadyBoost, which is designed to speed-up your system by caching disk reads into flash memory.  Originally, I read this feature was intended for the upcoming hybrid drive technology (more info here), but I recently learned ReadyBoost will also work with other types of flash memory like a USB drive.  Here are some interesting facts about ReadyBoost: [more]

  • Caches only disk reads, so the flash device can be removed at any time
  • Cache is encrypted using AES-128
  • Minimum requirements is 256mb of space, with the device capable of 2.5MB/sec for 4k random access reads and 1.5MB/sec for 512k random writes
  • Microsoft recommends matching the capacity of the flash device to the amount of system memory
More information is available at http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2017844,00.asp or http://blogs.msdn.com/tomarcher/archive/2006/06/02/615199.aspx.

When you insert a flash drive, Vista will test the device and give you the option of using it for ReadyBoost.  Properties on the drive shows a ReadyBoost tab with an option of controlling the amount of space to be used.