Turn off page file

K

Ken Blake, MVP

At what amount of ram is it ok to turn it off?


Never! No matter how RAM you have, you should never turn it off. The
result would be that you would not be able to use all the RAM you
have.

The reason is that Windows pre-allocates virtual memory without
actually using it, in advance of its possibly needing it. This speeds
up actual use if the need occurs later. Without a page file, that
allocation can only be made in real RAM, and that effectively locks
that RAM out of any other potential use.

Moreover, there is no possible benefit to turning it off. If it isn't
needed, it won't be used.

For more information, read this excellent article by the late MVP Alex
Nichol, "Virtual Memory in Windows XP" at
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpvm.htm
 
J

John Barnett MVP

It doesn't matter how much ram you have on your system you leave the page
file well alone - windows needs it. By all means move it to a faster drive,
but never turn it off.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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