How To Change Pagefile Size And Location In Windows

Understanding the Pagefile in Windows 10

The pagefile, also known as the swap file or paging file, is a crucial component of Windows 10's virtual memory system. It allows the operating system to free up physical RAM by transferring less frequently used memory data to a hidden file named pagefile.sys on your hard drive. This process, known as paging, helps maintain system performance when physical memory is limited.

Why Change the Pagefile Size and Location?

Changing the pagefile size and location can be necessary for several reasons. For instance, if you've added more RAM to your system, you might need to adjust the pagefile size to optimize performance. Additionally, moving the pagefile to a different drive can help reduce wear on your primary SSD or improve overall system performance by distributing I/O activities.

How to Change the Pagefile Size in Windows 10

To change the pagefile size in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Access System Properties:

   • Right-click the Start button and select System.
   • In the System window, click on Advanced system settings on the left side.

2. Navigate to Performance Options:

   • In the System Properties window, select the Advanced tab.
   • Click the Settings button under the Performance section.

3. Access Virtual Memory Settings:

• In the Performance Options window, select the Advanced tab.
• Click the Change button under the Virtual Memory section.

4. Configure Pagefile Size:

   • In the Virtual Memory window, uncheck the box next to Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
   • Select the drive for which you want to change the pagefile size.
   • Click the radio button next to Custom size.
   • Enter the Initial size and Maximum size values for your pagefile. These values should be based on your system's RAM; for example, if you have 16 GB of RAM, the initial size could be 16 GB and the maximum size could be 32 GB.

5. Save and Restart:

   • Click Set and then OK to save the changes.
   • Restart your system for the changes to take effect.

How to Move the Pagefile to Another Drive in Windows 10

Moving the pagefile to another drive can help in managing disk space and improving performance, especially if your primary drive is an SSD.

1. Access Virtual Memory Settings:

   • Follow the same steps as above to access the Virtual Memory window.

2. Disable Pagefile on Current Drive:

   • Select the default paging file drive (usually C:).
   • Click the radio button next to No paging file.
   • Click Set to disable the paging file on this drive.

3. Specify a New Pagefile Location:

• Select the desired drive from the list where you want to move the pagefile.
• Click the radio button next to Custom size or System managed size.
• If choosing Custom size, enter the initial and maximum sizes as described above.
• Click Set to apply the changes.

4. Save and Restart:
   • Click OK to close all the windows.
   • Restart your system. Windows will automatically delete the old pagefile.sys and create a new one on the specified drive.

Additional Tips

• Performance Considerations: Moving the pagefile from an SSD to an HDD might reduce performance, so it's generally recommended to move it to another SSD if possible.
• Clearing Pagefile at Shutdown: You can configure Windows 10 to clear the pagefile at shutdown to enhance security by ensuring sensitive data is not left in the pagefile.
• Kernel Memory Dumps: If you're adjusting the pagefile size for kernel memory dumps, ensure you set the initial size according to the alert box instructions to ensure the dump file can be read by debugging tools.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage your pagefile size and location to optimize your Windows 10 system's performance and disk usage.