Questions regarding Pagefile.sys

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  1. Posts : 1,024
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #1

    Questions regarding Pagefile.sys


    Hello,
    You Gentlemen recently helped me remove the clean pagefile.sys on shutdown thus shortening the time immensely. My question, is there a way to clean the pagefile.sys with maybe overwrites manually? I have 4GB of RAM and the pagefile.sys suggested 5390 MB. I rarely run 80% of my RAM, does that amount of disk space sound prudent?
    Also would a 8 GB flash drive set to use as extended memory be faster than a HD Caviar Black with 3G SATA? Thanks, trying to get ideas as my main drive is becomming moderately full.
    Thanks for any advice or opinions.
    glennc
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    I wouldn't waste my time with Readyboost, considering you have more than 1 GB of system memory. How is your 500 GB drive broken down that you are running out of space on it?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,024
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hello DeaconFrost,
    Thanks for your reply and assistance. I have 119 GB left of 465 GB. I currently have 5370 MBs for pagefile.sys. On my XP system I was using a third of a 160 GB drive.
    So I'm unfamiliar enough to be concerned. I would also like to wipe my pagefile.sys once in a while manually.
    glennc
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    glennc said:
    I have 4GB of RAM and the pagefile.sys suggested 5390 MB. I rarely run 80% of my RAM, does that amount of disk space sound prudent?
    Unless you are very tight on disk space, I wouldn't change it or worry about it.

    glennc said:
    Also would a 8 GB flash drive set to use as extended memory be faster than a HD Caviar Black with 3G SATA?
    No, the flash drive will be many, many times slower. Even with a USB 3.0 interface, you have far more bandwidth available to the hard drive.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,024
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello pparks1,
    Thanks for your response and thoughts on the matter. Glad for the info reference the flash drives.
    glennc
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #6

    Do you know what is using all of that space on your main drive? That seems like a huage amount of space in use...even with a few large games installed. I do agree that it is best to let the pagefile alone, aka system managed, and there's no reason to ever want to or consider wiping the pagefile. Find out what's taking up all of your space, and that will be a far better solution.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,024
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hello DeaconFrost,
    Thanks for following up. I am of the habit of setting the pagefile.sys to the system requested for minimum and maximum, giving me a static block of memory. This is probably taking up some of it. I've read the you should clear your pagefile.sys for leftover data, thus I had it previously wiping on shutdown. I would like a way to do that manually intermittently. The largest amount of files is photos, some music files for
    rhapsody. Not much else I can think of. I will check in more depth.
    glennc
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #8

    The concept of setting a min and max for the pagefile worked well in Windows XP, but hasn't been a needed or valid tweak since then. Vista, and then Windows 7 moreso, could manage the virtual memory system very well on their own.

    I'm not sure where you read about clearing the pagefile, but that isn't needed at all. I can't say I've ever heard of such a thing, and I wouldn't waste any time or effort worrying about it.

    The thing to remember is, Windows 7 isn't Windows XP, and shouldn't be treated as such. Most, if not all, of those "tweaks" that enthusiasts have done with XP aren't needed anymore. We can finally sit back, let the system handle itself, and just go on using our computers.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 465
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Home Premium x64
       #9

    The whole clearing the pagefile originated with security issues where it could be used to gather scant information that could be used to violate security. I recall this as being one of the 'necessary evils' for some machines when you wanted to be sure people couldn't mess with something on that system. The draw back is, I do not believe there is a way to manually clear the pagefile, as it is a system controlled file and still requires a restart for changes within it, which is why clearing the pagefile only happens at shutdown.

    Also, since the pagefile is directly related to Virtual Memory, messing with that location during system operation is much like you trying to yank out your ram and sticking it back in while the computer is on. Don't forget, Windows is still actively using the pagefile for virtual ram at any given time during operation.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,024
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Hello Gentlemen,
    Thank you for the education. I know that Windows 7 is different as it has taken a disliking of me. But I will let it handle the pagefile.sys as it might give me more space.
    Still wondering about the wiping the file as they have W7 programs designed to do just that. Great stuff, thanx
    glennc
      My Computer


 
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