pagefile.sys windows free disk space windows 7

 

What to do about a large pagefile.sys

There are three main strategies you might consider with a large paging file: moving it, reducing its size, or deleting it (carefully).

Move pagefile.sys

Moving pagefile.sys from your system drive (usually the C: drive) to another drive could free up space on your primary drive. This can lead to enhanced performance, especially if the secondary drive has more storage or is faster (such as an SSD). While moving pagefile.sys isn’t a cure-all, it can help redistribute the impact of a large page file across your storage ecosystem.

To move pagefile.sys, follow these steps:

1. Open System Properties by right-clicking on This PC or My Computer on your desktop, and selecting Properties.
2. Navigate to “Advanced system settings” and click on the “Settings…” button in the Performance section.
3. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab and click on “Change…” under Virtual Memory.
4. Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.
5. Select the system drive with the large pagefile.sys, choose “No paging file,” and then press Set.
6. Choose another drive where you want to move pagefile.sys.
7. Select “System managed size” or “Custom size” as preferred and click on Set.
8. Click OK and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Reduce the size of pagefile.sys

If transferring pagefile.sys isn’t an option, try experimenting with how much room pagefile.sys uses. Windows typically manages this setting automatically, but controlling it manually may be more efficient.

1. Access the Virtual Memory settings, by following steps 1 through 4 in the previous section.
2. At the hard drive list, select your current system drive.
3. Select “Custom size” and manually enter a lower value than what’s currently set.
4. Confirm your actions by pressing Set, then OK.

Resizing pagefile.sys too much can impede system performance, resulting in system instability. If you want to undo your changes, go back to the Virtual Memory settings and select “System managed size,” letting Windows recalibrate the file’s size automatically.

Delete pagefile.sys (don’t)

First, know that pagefile.sys is necessary to your system. The page file serves as a crucial buffer for when your physical RAM fills up. Without it, Windows will crash rather than chug along when stretched thin in terms of memory, putting your data at risk. That’s why you should not delete it.

That said, certain scenarios may require you to delete pagefile.sys. Taking such an action should be restricted to advanced users who have in-depth command of the operating system. Also, be aware that rebooting your computer will reinstate mandatory files such as pagefile.sys anyway, making it difficult or impossible to delete the paging file permanently.

If you’re absolutely sure you want to delete pagefile.sys, follow these steps to view the file and delete it:

1. Make sure all open files are closed. It’s best to back up your files before you proceed.
2. Open your File Explorer and go to the C: drive.
3. Press Control + F1, click on View, then “Options” to view the drop-down menu.
4. Click “Change folder and search options”
5. In the window that appears, click the “View” tab, and uncheck “Hide protected system operating files.”
6. Check the radio button next to “Show hidden files, folders and drives” and click “Apply” and you’ll be able to see pagefile.sys.
7. Right-click on pagefile.sys, and select “Delete.” Depending on the size of your pagefile.sys, it may bypass the Recycle Bin and be deleted immediately.
8. Restart your computer.