What Is Pagefile.sys? How To Move, Reduce Or Delete It?

Ever wondered what that mysterious file called “pagefile.sys” is doing on your computer? It’s a file that Windows uses to store data when your computer’s RAM (Random Access Memory) is full. But sometimes, this file can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a smaller hard drive.

Have you ever felt like your computer is running slow, or maybe you’ve encountered errors like “Not Enough Memory”? These issues could be related to the pagefile.sys. In this blog post, we’ll look into what exactly pagefile.sys is, why it’s important, and most importantly, how you can manage it to optimize your computer’s performance.

We’ll cover topics like how to move the pagefile to a different drive, how to reduce its size, and even when it might be safe to delete it. So, let’s get started and learn how to keep your computer running smoothly!

What Is Pagefile.sys?

Pagefile.sys is a system file that Windows uses to extend your computer’s memory. It’s a hidden file located on the primary drive, where Windows is installed. The main purpose of this file is to act as virtual memory. When your physical memory, also known as RAM, is used up, pagefile.sys helps by temporarily storing data that is not actively needed. This keeps your computer running without freezing or slowing down.

When running multiple applications or processes, your RAM can get filled up quickly. Windows needs to keep everything running smoothly, so it offloads some data from the RAM to pagefile.sys. This process is called paging. The data stored in pagefile.sys can be retrieved later if needed, but until then, it stays in this file, freeing up physical memory for tasks that require immediate attention.

The pagefile.sys size adjusts based on how your system is used. If you’re running heavy programs like games, video editing software, or multiple browsers with many tabs, the paging file will expand to accommodate the additional memory requirements.

It’s important to note that while pagefile.sys is useful, it can take up significant space on your hard drive. Many users notice that the pagefile.sys becomes too large, especially if the system has low RAM or limited storage. However, reducing its size or moving it can help with storage issues.

Windows automatically manages pagefile.sys settings, but you have the option to change them. You can move the paging file to another drive or adjust its size based on your system’s needs.

Is It Safe To Delete Pagefile.sys?

Deleting pagefile.sys may seem like a quick way to free up disk space, but it can lead to system issues. This file plays an important role in how Windows manages memory. When RAM is fully used, pagefile.sys helps by offloading data that is not immediately needed. Without this backup memory, your computer could experience performance problems, especially during memory-intensive tasks.

Technically, you can delete pagefile.sys, but it is not recommended. If removed, your system would rely solely on RAM. This might work well for systems with large amounts of RAM, but for most users, especially those with less than 16GB, deleting pagefile.sys could cause slowdowns, crashes, or even failure to run certain applications.

Windows also uses pagefile.sys to store error logs when the system crashes. Removing it could limit the ability to diagnose these problems. Additionally, some older applications expect virtual memory to be available and may not run properly if pagefile.sys is absent.

If space is a concern, it’s better to move or reduce the size of pagefile.sys rather than delete it entirely. You can adjust the paging file settings within Windows, allowing you to manage memory more efficiently without completely removing this file.

How To Move Pagefile.sys To Another Drive?

Moving pagefile.sys to another drive can help free up space on your system’s main drive. The main drive, usually the C drive, is where Windows stores the pagefile.sys file by default. If your main drive is running low on space or you have a secondary drive with more capacity, moving the paging file to that drive can improve overall storage management.

When you move pagefile.sys, you’re telling Windows to use a different drive for virtual memory. This means the system will now store less frequently used data on that new drive, freeing up space on your primary drive for other tasks.

Here are the steps to move pagefile.sys to another drive:

• Right-click on the “Start” menu and select “System.” This opens the system information window where you can adjust advanced settings.

• Locate and click on “Advanced system settings.” A new window will appear, showing options related to performance and memory management.

• Under the Advanced tab, locate the “Performance” section and click on “Settings.” This opens a new window where you can manage the performance options of your computer.

• In the Performance Options window, navigate to the “Advanced” tab. Click on the “Change” button under the Virtual memory section.

• Uncheck the box labeled “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.” This allows you to manually control where the pagefile.sys file is stored.
• Select the drive that currently holds the pagefile.sys file (typically the C: drive). Choose the option “No paging file” and click on the “Set” button.

• Now, select another drive where you want to move pagefile.sys. Choose the option “System managed size” or “set a Custom size” depending on your preference. Once selected, click on the “Set” button.

• After configuring the new settings, click “OK” to apply the changes. Then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Once your system restarts, pagefile.sys will now be located on the new drive, freeing up space on your system drive.

How To Reduce The Size Of Pagefile.sys?

If you don’t want to move pagefile.sys to another drive but are concerned about the space it occupies, you can reduce its size instead. Adjusting the size of the pagefile.sys file allows you to free up disk space on your system drive while still keeping virtual memory available for Windows operations. Reducing its size is useful if the file has grown too large for your system’s needs.

Here’s how you can reduce the size of pagefile.sys:

• Navigate to “Advanced system settings” and click on “Settings” located under the “Performance” section.
• Switch to the “Advanced” tab and click on the Change button under the Virtual memory section.
• In the Virtual Memory window, uncheck the box labeled “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.” This enables you to customize the size of the pagefile.sys manually.
• Choose the “Custom size” option. You will now need to enter two values:

• • Initial Size: This is the minimum amount of space reserved for the pagefile.sys.
  • Maximum Size: This is the upper limit for how large pagefile.sys can grow.
• A common recommendation is to set the maximum size to around 1.5 times the amount of RAM installed on your system. For example, if you have 8GB of RAM, you can set the Maximum size to 12GB. However, you can adjust these values depending on your system’s needs.
• After entering the new values, click the “Set” button to apply them. Then, click “OK” to close the window and save your settings.
• Finally, restart your system to allow the changes to take effect. Once the system reboots, the pagefile.sys size will be reduced according to the limits you set.

After reducing the size of pagefile.sys, you’ll regain space on your hard drive, but your system will still have enough virtual memory to handle heavy tasks without slowing down.

How To Delete Pagefile.sys? – Not Recommended

While it’s possible to delete pagefile.sys, doing so is not advisable for most users. This file acts as an extension of your computer’s physical memory (RAM), and removing it can lead to various performance issues, especially if you frequently run memory-intensive programs. Without pagefile.sys, Windows cannot manage virtual memory, which can cause your system to slow down or even crash when RAM is fully utilized.

However, if you still wish to delete pagefile.sys, follow the steps below. Keep in mind that removing it entirely should only be done in specific cases, such as when troubleshooting or if you have a large amount of physical RAM that you believe can handle your workload.

• Before making changes, ensure all running applications are closed. This prevents any disruptions during the process.
• Press the “Windows key + E” together to open File Explorer and navigate to C: drive.
• If you are using Windows 11, click on the “three dots (More)” in the top menu, then select Options.

• If you are using Windows 10, click on the “View” tab in the top menu and select Options from the drop-down menu. Then Click “Change folder and search options” from the sub drop-down menu
• In the Folder Options window, switch to the “View” tab.
• Uncheck the option labeled “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).”

• If a warning message appears, click “Yes” to proceed.

• In the same View tab, locate the option labeled “Show hidden files,” folders, and drives under the “Hidden files and folders” section. Toggle the radio button next to this option.

• Click “Apply” to save your changes. You will now be able to see pagefile.sys on your C: drive.
• After making these changes, navigate to your C: Drive or the drive where pagefile.sys is stored. You should now see the pagefile.sys file, along with its size.

• Right-click on pagefile.sys and select “Delete.” Depending on the size of the file, it may bypass the Recycle Bin and be deleted immediately.
• After deleting the file, restart your computer to complete the process.

Note:  If you notice performance issues after deletion, it’s advisable to recreate or adjust the pagefile settings to ensure your system continues to run smoothly.

How Do I Clear Pagefile.sys On Shutdown?

Clearing pagefile.sys on shutdown can be a useful approach if you’re concerned about security or want to free up space after each session. When pagefile.sys is cleared, it deletes all the data stored in the virtual memory, which might be important in environments where sensitive information is handled. However, clearing pagefile.sys every time you shut down can slightly increase shutdown times, as the system needs to remove the contents of the file each time.

Here’s how you can set your system to automatically clear pagefile.sys on shutdown:

• Press “Windows + R” to open the Run dialog box.
• Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• In the Registry Editor, use the left-hand panel to navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

• In the Memory Management folder, look for a key named “ClearPageFileAtShutdown.”
• Once located, double-click on “ClearPageFileAtShutdown.” A dialog box will appear where you can change its value.

• Set the Value data to “1” and click “OK.” This will instruct Windows to clear the pagefile.sys file every time the system shuts down.

• After modifying the registry, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. From now on, pagefile.sys will be cleared whenever the system shuts down.

Clearing pagefile.sys is particularly beneficial in cases where sensitive data might be temporarily stored in the paging file. If privacy is a concern, this is a useful security measure.

FAQs:

Conclusion

In Conclusion, the pagefile.sys, a critical system file that aids Windows in managing memory, can be adjusted to meet specific needs. While its default settings are generally suitable, understanding how to move or resize it can be beneficial for certain users. By carefully considering their system’s performance and storage requirements, users can make informed decisions about the pagefile’s management. Did you find this guide helpful? Let us know in the comments below.