Windows Vista Forums
Vista Forums Home Join Vista Forums Windows 7 Forum Vista Tutorials Tags
Welcome to Windows Vista Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows Vista. The Vista forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Windows Vista tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks.

Go Back   Vista Forums > Vista Forums > Tutorials

Vista - Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

Comment
 

Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

How to Enable or Disable Clear Virtual Memory Paging File at Shutdown in Vista
Published by Brink
05-28-2008

How to Enable or Disable Clear Virtual Memory Paging File at Shutdown in Vista
Information
  This will show you how to enable or disable clearing the virtual memory pagefile when you restart or shutdown the computer. By default, this setting is disabled in Vista.
NOTE
 
WHY ENABLE:
Sensitive information may have been temporarily stored in the virtual memory pagefile. For this security reason and others, it may be a good idea to enable this setting to clear the virtual memory pagefile occasionally or when you suspect this. When this setting is enabled it will clear the virtual memory pagefile, and the hibernation file only on a portable computer, when you restart or shutdown the computer.

WHY DISABLE:

When this setting is enabled it can add around a minute or so to how long it takes your computer to shutdown and restart. How much time it will add depends on how much RAM you have installed and how big the Virtual Memory Paging File is set at. See: How to Change the Virtual Memory Paging File in Vista
Tip
 
RELATED LINKS:


METHOD ONE:
Through the Local Group Policy Editor
NOTE
  This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Basic and Home Premium editions.
1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane, click on Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, Security Settings, Local Policies, and Security Options. (See screenshot below)
group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile and click on Properties.

4. To Enable Clear Paging File at Shutdown -
A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable Clear Paging File at Shutdown -
A) Select (dot) Disabled and click on OK.
properties.jpg
6. Close Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done.

7. If you enabled this setting, then restart or shutdown the computer to clear the Virtual Memory Paging File.



METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry
NOTE
  This will work for all Vista versions.
Through a Download:
1. To Disable Clear Paging File at Shutdown -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Disable_Clear_Page_File.reg file.

B) Go to step 3.


2. To Enable Clear Paging File at Shutdown -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Enable_Clear_Page_File.reg file.


3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

8. If you enabled this setting, then restart or shutdown the computer to clear the Virtual Memory Paging File.

The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
reg_disabled.jpg
5. To Enable Clear Paging File at Shutdown -
A) In the right pane, right click on ClearPageFileAtShutdown and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

B) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Name:  Modify_Enabled.jpg
Views: 19063
Size:  32.4 KB
C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)
reg_enabled.jpg
E) Go to step 7.
6. To Disable Clear Paging File at Shutdown -
A) In the right pane, right click on ClearPageFileAtShutdown and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

B) Type 0 (number zero) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Name:  Modify_Disabled.jpg
Views: 18946
Size:  32.4 KB
C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below step 4)
7. Close regedit.

8. If you enabled this setting, then restart or shutdown the computer to clear the Virtual Memory Paging File.
That's it,
Shawn

Published by
Brink's Avatar
Administrator

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 25,919
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute

Tutorial Tools

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Old 06-19-2008  
Abiosis


Windows Vista® Ultimate x64 SP2 v.113 build 6002/W7 x64 7000
 
 

Re: Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

but how about I'm already turn off the (0) pagefile

or is it really related?

please advice,shawn

thanks

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 06-19-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Re: Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

Abiosis,

No, this is not related to the Index at all. (From post: Index - Enable or Disable)

This tutorial here will only enable or disable Vista from clearing the Virtual Page Memory file automatically when you shutdown the computer. That's all.

Stopping and Disabling the Windows Search service will completely disable the Index.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 06-19-2008  
Abiosis


Windows Vista® Ultimate x64 SP2 v.113 build 6002/W7 x64 7000
 
 

Re: Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

really useful infos

thanks again,Shawn

Peace~
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 06-19-2008  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Re: Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

Your welcome Abiosis.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-15-2009  
Darkbluetuber


Windows Premium x64
 
 

will enabling it decrease boot time?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-15-2009  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

Hello Darkbluetuber, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Enabling this can only increase the boot time if you restart the computer. When this is enabled, the page file will be cleared at every shutdown and restart adding a bit of time for this to finish first.

This will have no effect when starting the computer when it's already shut down or in sleep mode though.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

Tutorial Tools


Similar Threads
Tutorial Category
Solved Virtual Memory - Changing the Paging File Size General Discussion
Virtual Memory Paging File - Change Tutorials
Virtual Memory Paging File General Discussion
System Paging File/Virtual Memory Vista General
Does Virtual Memory(paging file not in system HD) or ReadyBoost have better performance? Vista General


Vista Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
"Windows Vista", the Start Orb, and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media Ltd
Tutorial powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46