Comments on: Tweak Windows Vista Virtual Memory (Change or Disable Paging File Size)

By: Larry Miller

Larry Miller — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:01:33 +0000

There is considerable confusion in the article and comments concerning both the pagefile and virtual memory. Virtual memory is NOT the pagefile, disabling the pagefile will not disable virtual memory and it will not prevent paging. Virtual memory is a system in which the pagefile is a component. Applications use virtual memory exclusively – no exceptions.

The pagefile is used to store rarely used modified data, thus leaving more RAM for more important uses. It is not used for executable files, DLL’s etc., as they can be restored from the original files. The pagefile was designed to improve performance, not merely to make up for a shortage in RAM. It is not an extension to physical memory.

Virtual memory is a mature technology, having been in regular use in large systems for almost 40 years. It was not invented by Microsoft as some people seem to think.

Best advice concerning the pagefile: leave it alone unless there is a specific need to change it. Windows designers know more about memory management than you do.

Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA

By: j

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:19:45 +0000

If I set no paging file and apply that for all my hard drives, then still I have following text on task manager:

Performance tab:
System:
paging file 460/3483mb

Why is that, is it impossible to remove paging file on vista? Computer is restarted..

By: Share Same Pagefile.sys Virtual Memory Paging File for Dual-Boot (Multiple) Windows to Conserve Disk Space » My Digital Life

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:30:34 +0000

[...] that you don’t want pagefile.sys to exist, select them and then set as No paging file to disable paging file storage on the drive. For the drive that contains the shared pagefile.sys, set it as Custom size (and enter [...]

By: GInetta

GInetta — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:49:22 +0000

You should not switch off page file with anything less than 3GB on Vista.
Remember, it uses a rediculous encryption algorythm which creates great overhead and performance hits.

If you have more than 4GB you can turn off VM without any problems.
Remember to use the PAE switch in Boot.ini

Cheers

By: cheapskate vista user

cheapskate vista user — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:39:25 +0000

“If your system has memory of 2G and above, it’s possible to turn off virtual memory and set no paging file at all. In fact, by doing so, Windows will probably run at faster speed. To do so, refer to guidi to manage, change or set paging file size in Vista”
GREAT ADVICE I brought a pc for $500 that has 3 gb of ram . HATE PAGE FILE.

By: How to Fix Shrinking Disk Space in Vista » My Digital Life

How to Fix Shrinking Disk Space in Vista » My Digital Life — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:14:01 +0000

[...] If your system has memory of 2G and above, it’s possible to turn off virtual memory and set no paging file at all. In fact, by doing so, Windows will probably run at faster speed. To do so, refer to guidi to manage, change or set paging file size in Vista. [...]