In this article we will learn how to clear Pagefile.sys file.
What is the Pagefile.sys file
This file is very special and uses Windows to temporarily store data which are exchanged between the RAM in order to have a larger block of memory, it is known as VIRTUAL MEMORY.
The file name is pagefile.sys and is created at the time of Windows installation on the root drive (usually C: \) where the system boot is located and its attributes are hidden.
This file should normally not be viewable in Windows Explorer, unless you have disabled the "Hide Protected System Files" option.
The file size is typically 1.5 times larger than the system's RAM. (For example, if you have 1GB of RAM, the file should weigh something like 1.5GB, if you have 256MB, the pagefile sys file should weigh something like 384B, and so on, etc.)
How to Delete pagefile sys
It is not recommended to delete pagefile.sys. But if you need disk space or you are doing a test we will see the steps (another option for free disk space is to clear hiberfil sys).
Clear in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on System and Security and then the system link.
- Click on “Advanced system settings".
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Click on settings.
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Click on Change Button.
- Unselect "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives".
- Select "No Paging File". Click Set.
- Click Ok and Reboot.
Delete in Windows XP
- In Windows XP, if you want to modify this, for example, remove or delete the pagefile.sys file from C :, mark the C: drive, then select the option Without paging file and finally click the "Set". Windows will remove the "pagefile.sys" file from the selected drive on the next reboot.
Clear in Windows 2000
- In Windows 2000, to remove or delete the pagefile.sys file from C :, mark the C: drive, then enter the values "0" to each of the boxes of Initial size and Maximum size and finally click on the button "Establish". Windows will remove the "pagefile.sys" file from the selected drive on the next reboot.
Note: In windows 2000, if there is no paging file, you will get a warning window notifying you of this on every reboot.
Can my system work without a pagefile.sys file?
Simple answer
The answer is YES. Yes, if your system has enough RAM to worry about when you are running the maximum number of applications and doing the most tasks on a maximum work day. If you have 2GB or more, you can try to see how your system works.
Now, as a professional recommendation, NO, I DO NOT recommend that you leave the system without any pagefile.sys file, your system may need some extra memory at some point, and not being able to use VIRTUAL memory may cause some type of crash (Freezing) system, so be warned.
Many things will stop working if you delete it and many manufacturers create software based on that file exists on the hard drive, and Windows XP does not use the file until you need it so you will not get any benefits by removing it.
Note: In windows 2000, if there is no paging file, you will get a warning window telling you this on every reboot.