How to Enable or Disable "Clear Virtual Memory Paging File at Shutdown" in Vista and Windows 7

   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 and Windows 7.

   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.

   Tip

• To see how much time it takes to restart the computer with this setting enabled or disabled, see: How to See What Your Boot Up Time is in Vista
• The Virtual Memory Paging File is a hidden protected operating system file located at:

C:\pagefile.sys

OPTION ONE

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Using a REG File Download

1. To Disable Clear Paging File at Shutdown
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Disable_Clear_Page_File.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Enable Clear Paging File at Shutdown

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Enable_Clear_Page_File.reg

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

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

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

OPTION TWO

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Through the Local Security Policy

1. Open the Local Security Policy.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand Local Policies and User Rights Assignment, then open Security Settings. (See screenshot below)

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
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Select (dot) Disabled and click on OK.

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.

OPTION THREE

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Manually Using Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on the Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).

4. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (See screenshot below)

Code:

 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

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)

C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)

E) Go to step 7.

6. To Disable Clear Paging File at Shutdown
NOTE: This is the default setting.

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)

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

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