PAGEFILE.SYS is the virtual memory file Windows uses. Typically, on install, Windows sets the size of the file at around 1.5 times your physical memory size however this size will vary depending on the amount of free space on the disk when the file is established and other factors. Most will find the default size works fine but it can be changed. Windows uses this file for its normal operation however if you really need the space you can delete it after turning the virtual memory option off but be aware that this can cause extreme instability in Windows to the point where it might stop so do this at your own risk...
• Windows OS
• Procedure for Windows OS.
o Start | Right Click on My Computer | Select Properties from the menu
o Select the Advanced Tab o Select Performance Settings
o Select the Advanced Tab o Under virtual memory use the Change button to either set the size you want or turn it completely off.
Note that if you turn it off or make the value too small you may notice a system slowdown or Windows may stop. Windows wants to use this file and if it's set to zero then in addition to a slowdown while running, on system shutdown you may think Windows has hung due to the extra time involved. You may have to experiment a bit if you set it lower than some minimum. The best advice would be to leave the file alone.
Why do I need page file optimization?
Optimizing your page file when you're running low on RAM is always a good idea. When all physical RAM in a computer is in use, Windows starts using the hard disk as if it were additional RAM. This is why we have a Pagefile (also called the swap file). Because RAM memory is a lot more faster than the hard disk, whenever the computer begins to use the Pagefile to relieve memory pressure, we begin to experience a drastic performance degradation. One of the most effective things you can do to improve performance is ensure that there is enough RAM available to avoid frequent paging (swapping) of memory contents between disk and RAM.This means that the actual limit on the memory used by all applications is the amount of RAM installed plus the maximum size of the Pagefile.
How much swap space do you need? That depends the amount of RAM you have and the programs you use. The rule of the thumb is 1.5 times the amount of system memory, unless you have too much load on your system.
Can the Virtual Memory be turned off on a really large machine?
Strictly speaking Virtual Memory is always in operation and cannot be turned off. What is meant by such wording is set the system to use no page file space at all.
This would waste a lot of the RAM. The reason is that when programs ask for an allocation of Virtual memory space, they may ask for a great deal more than they ever actually bring into use - the total may easily run to hundreds of megabytes. These addresses have to be assigned to somewhere by the system. If there is a page file available, the system can assign them to it - if there is not, they have to be assigned to RAM, locking it out from any actual use.
Managing the Page File
Windows automatically manages the page file’s settings for you. However, if you want to adjust your page file settings, you can do so from the Advanced System Settings window. Click Start, type Advanced System Settings into the Start menu and press Enter to open it.
Click over to the Advanced tab and click the Change button in the Virtual memory section.
Windows automatically manages your page file settings by default. Most users should leave these settings alone and allow Windows to make the best decision for you.
Having a page file won’t slow down your computer – but if your computer is using its page file a lot, you should probably get some more RAM.