how to delete pagefile.sys windows 10

PC users often ask what is the purpose of the huge pagefile.sys file located in the root of the Windows installation drive and if it can be removed.

For starters, paging files function as a physical extension of RAM. Windows 10 changes infrequently or less frequently used memory pages from physical RAM to page files or pagefile.sys when physical RAM usage is very high. Pagefile .sys has another important role. Records information about the state of Windows during a crash.

Can I delete the pagefile.sys file?

On computers with large RAM, Windows 10 may not use the paging file, as the large physical RAM can be large enough for all operations. If you have a large RAM (16GB +) on your PC and you are sure that the programs will not take up all the physical RAM, you may consider deleting the pagefile.sys file. In short, the more RAM you have, the less pagefile.sys you need.

What happens if I delete pagefile.sys?

Well, you won't see any difference as long as your physical RAM usage is within limits. If the physical RAM usage reaches 100%, applications may hang or crash and you may lose unsaved work. Sometimes the Windows operating system can also crash. Therefore, it is best not to touch the pagefile.sys file.

Since pagefile.sys is a system file, it is not displayed with the default settings. Open File Explorer, click the File menu, then click Options / Change Folder and Search Options to open the Folder Options dialog box. Here, uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option. Select the Show hidden files, folders, or drives option. Click the Apply button.

Like other system files, the pagefile.sys file cannot be removed directly from Windows Explorer. You must disable the paging file functionality to delete the pagefile.sys file. That is, disabling the paging file feature will automatically delete the pagefile.sys file.

IMPORTANT: Disabling the paging file or deleting the pagefile.sys file can negatively affect the overall performance of the Windows 10 operating system. If you find that Windows 10 is not working properly after disabling and deleting the paging file, re-enable the paging file. pagination.

Remove pagefile.sys in Windows 10

Complete the instructions given below to disable and delete pagefile.sys in Windows 10.

Step 1: type Sysdm.cpl in the Start / taskbar search field and then press the button login in to open the System Properties dialog box.

Step 2: It will happen Advanced by clicking on the same tab. In Performance click on settings button. Clicking the Settings button will open the Performance Options dialog.

How to delete Pagefile.sys in Windows 10

Step 3: Here, change to Advanced tongue. In Virtual memory section, you can see the size of the paging file. Click on Modify to open the Virtual Memory dialog box.

How to delete Pagefile.sys in Windows 10

Step 4: To disable and delete the paging file, uncheck the box Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option. Then select No paging file radio button. Click on the Adjusted to button. Click on the Yep when the warning dialog box appears. Finally, click on Apply button.

How to delete Pagefile.sys in Windows 10

When prompted to restart, restart your computer once to remove the pagefile.sys file. Make sure to restart your PC even if you are not asked to do so.

To enable the pagefile.sys file

Step 1: Follow the instructions mentioned in steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the previous method to open the Virtual Memory dialog.

Step 2: Select the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option. Click the Apply button to enable the paging file. When prompted, restart your computer once to generate the pagefile.sys file.

You may also be interested in how to delete hiberfil.sys file in Windows 10 help.