How to delete pagefile

Question

I'm using XP and I want to delete the file pagefile.sys

It is covering 4GB of data and I want to delete it. I have installed treesize free software and deleted the pagefile.sys but after restart it come back again. I have gone to My computer > Properties > Advanced > startup and recovery > settings > write debugging information I have set to small memory dump (64KB). And also yet it show 4GB after restart. Is there any solution to delete it permanently so that I can free up the disk space?

nO PAGING SET

Removing the pagefile will have a negative impact on the performance of your system. It should also be noted that XP is now obsolete and you should consider migrating to Windows 7 or greater. — Burgi, Feb 06 '17 at 13:20
http://superuser.com/questions/14795/windows-swap-page-file-enable-or-disable also directly related. This is a bad idea — Journeyman Geek, Feb 06 '17 at 13:38
@atek more like, its using 4gb to help use your ram more efficiently. How much ram do you have? — Journeyman Geek, Feb 06 '17 at 13:38
and is it set to size your page file automatically as is the default? WIndows XP wouldn't be able to use 4gb anyway (it tops out at 3.5gb on 32 bit) and it feels like someone set a static size. There's better ways to solve this. — Journeyman Geek, Feb 06 '17 at 13:39
@JourneymanGeek i have mention above in my question i have set that 64kb, delete the pagefile and restart but its not showing 64bk always 4GB — atek, Feb 06 '17 at 13:41
Memory dump != pagefile. While your memory dump goes into the page file, your pagefile gets used for ... well, paging in most cases — Journeyman Geek, Feb 06 '17 at 13:42
@JourneymanGeek is there any other way to set size lower for example 100mb other than 4GB — atek, Feb 06 '17 at 13:43
13nilux's answer seems correct. Other than that you really ought not to do this, and should set it to system managed size. — Journeyman Geek, Feb 06 '17 at 14:01

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited May 25 '17 at 12:51

6

This answer assumes you know and accept the consequences of deleting the page file.

You can disable it by doing the following:

Open the System Properties window
Navigate to the "Advanced" tab.
On the "Performance" section, choose the "Setting" button.
On the "Performance Options" dialog box that opens, navigate to the "Advanced" tab.
On the "Virtual Memory" section, click on "Change". It will open "Virtual Memory" window.
Uncheck the option "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives"
Select the drive where pagefile.sys file is situated.
Select "No paging file" and click on "Set".
Click on "OK".
Restart your computer so that the change could take effect.

This will delete the pagefile.sys system file.

You might also consider leaving it at System Managed state, as suggested by Journeyman Geek♦:

edited May 25 '17 at 12:51

Donald Duck

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answered Feb 06 '17 at 11:46

13dimitar

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There is no virtual memory group. Note I have ask for xp not for win 7 or win8. I have attach the image – atek Feb 06 '17 at 11:49
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Click on `Settings` under `Performance` .. – 13dimitar Feb 06 '17 at 11:56
I believe in Windows XP a restart is required for the setting to be effective. – LPChip Feb 06 '17 at 11:57
1

My answer *effectly* covers the same ground as yours - other than that I recommend leaving it at system managed. If you wish, feel free to use my screenshot of the systems properties and other windows in any way you see fit https://i.stack.imgur.com/T6Oep.png I've confirmed this works on an XP vm – Journeyman Geek Feb 06 '17 at 13:56
@13nilux after following the steps and restart still the same 4GB is back – atek Feb 09 '17 at 12:04
@atek you're doing something wrong, follow the steps exactly as described. You should be logged in with Administrator account (or account member of the Administrators group, having admin privileges). Restart your computer and it will work. – 13dimitar Feb 09 '17 at 12:05
@13nilux I have attach a new screenshot with no paging set – atek Feb 09 '17 at 12:16
Did you do step 6 - Uncheck the option "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives"? - not just for C:, but for D: too? – 13dimitar Feb 09 '17 at 12:23

How to delete pagefile

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