Clearing the Page File on Shutdown for xp
To save on Random Access Memory (RAM), Windows uses your Page File as a sort of cache. This can slow down your PC’s overall performance. To remedy this situation, Windows XP has an option that allows users to clear the Page File when you shut down Windows. While this tweak tends to lengthen the shutdown time, it does have its performance benefits.
To set the computer to clear the page file without directly editing the registry is:
1. Click on the Start button
2. Go to the Control Panel
3. Administrative Tools
4. Local Security Policy
5. Local Policies (more…)
cache, hkey local machine, memory management, memory ram, pagefile, random access memory, registry key, shutdown time, shut down windows, virtual memory, Windows, windows registry, xp
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#1. January 5th, 2009, at 4:31 PM.
A confused and mostly incorrect article.
The pagefile is a part of the virtual memory system. It’s purpose is to temporarily store rarely used data, leaving more memory available for more important uses. This generally improves performance. As a security measure Windows has a registry option to clear the pagefile on shutdown. But this really makes no sense except as part of a comprehensive security policy. In itself it will provide little security.
Clearing the pagefile means overwriting every byte with zero’s. It does not delete the file. Doing this can add substantially to shutdown times, particularly on laptops. There are NO performance advantages of any kind in doing this.
Clearing the pagefile has no benefits for most users.
Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA