Paging file location on a dual-boot, partitioned drive

Datta03 · 03 Oct 2012

Windows Ultimate x32 and x64. 6GB RAM.

Question: location of paging file on a dual-boot (x32 & x64), partitioned drive.

Details:
I do most of my work under the x64 OS.

Currently, I'm using the Windows default: it manages the paging file. It has allocated 6GB out of a recommended 9GB on the x64 OS partition. That partition has less than 4GB free space.

The x32 partition has lots of free space (since I use it only for a couple of ancient applications). So, I am thinking of manually changing the location of the paging file from the x64 OS partition to the x32 OS partition.

Can you see any potential problems?

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Night Hawk · 03 Oct 2012

Hello Datta03 Welcome to the Seven Forums!

The 64bit Windows actually relies far less on the paging file and with 6gb of ram installed you should be able to either reduce the size of it or even disable the file from being created without seeing any problems come up. Often gamers disable the paging file entirely on the 32bit Windows which relies more on it for swapping data out to the drive.

The 64bit simply starts off by loading more data into the active ram and why the minimum amount of memory recommended is slightly higher then for the 32bit Windows. The first thing to look over will be the screenshot(snipping tool and MS Paint used to highlight) of the Advanced System settings for Performance and Virtual Memory options.

You'll notice I had to move things around to arrange each popup screen for a better view to refer to. The area circled in yellow and red lines is where to focus on as far as the automatic or manual settings for the size as well as where you want to see the paging file created. You can also decide not to see any file created.

The default recommended size is usually 1 1/2 times the amount of physical memory installed and why you would see 9gb as the recommended size due to having 6gb of memory installed. I would see 24gb for the 16gb here if using that equation.

You should be able to simply uncheck what the 64bit install sees as the C drive being that particular primary to see it assigned to either the 32bit install's primary or another drive entirely if one is present. Or you can simply opt to disable it entirely and rely on the 6gb of memory installed.