Vista Tutorial - Virtual Memory Paging File - Clear at Shutdown

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

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 located at: C:\pagefile.sys This is a hidden protected operating system file. To be able to see it, see Option Two here: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista

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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)

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.

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.

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

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 -

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.