About the windows managed pagefile size

vsub · Feb 8, 2025

When windows increases and decreases the size,does it actually creates a file(writes to the ssd)
For example if windows set it to 8gb and at some point doubles the size even if windows is currently not using not even close to 16gb,does iy actually writes 16gb to the ssd

Is it better to set a fixed size than letting windows constantly increase\decrease the size
And also does it matters if I move the page file to another partition if that partition is part of the same ssd that the windows is installed on

dacrone · Feb 8, 2025

If you had a hdd I would say to just disable it, but as you have a ssd, I would just leave it as is - dynamic sizing - unless you’re getting frequent BSODs

spapakons · Feb 8, 2025

I don't think it writes any data to the file. Windows just increase or decrease the reserved dusk space so no other applications can use it. Like in a restaurant where you connect and reserve two or more tables if you are two many friends but only one if you are with your family.

vsub · Feb 8, 2025

And also does it matters if I move the page file to another partition if that partition is part of the same ssd that the windows is installed on

spapakons · Feb 8, 2025

If you have enough free space on the SSD I would leave the page file on the SSD to make the computer faster. It makes no difference if it is on the Windows or other partition as long as you have more than 40-50GB free (having just enough for the page file can make the computer slower). But if you move the page file on a mechanical HDD it will have slower access and make the computer slower when the page file is used.

CountMike · Feb 8, 2025

Best to leave it where it's by default or it can get confusing to system.

spapakons · Feb 8, 2025

If you have a system with a very limited disk space, such as my HP Stream 7 tablet running Windows 10 32-bit with only 32GB internal storage, it is advisable to change the page file to a much larger partition such as a large micro SDXC card. I have already done that, I have also compact OS and enabled disk compression and I barely have 2-3GB free! Needless to say I have already moved my data and most programs to the micro SDXC card...

So yes, in a regular Windows system you normally let Windows manage the page file automatically. In a system with very limited disk space, you can move it to a larger partition with a small penalty in performance if it is not on an SSD.

cereberus · Feb 8, 2025

I always move it to a different partition as I dual boot pc with native boot vhdx files, and it can be used by vhdx dual boot files as well and if it corrupts, it does not affect main Host OS.

With only a single OS, it does not make much difference.

spapakons · Feb 8, 2025

If you move it from C: to D: and D: is on the same SSD, it won't make any difference other than leaving more free space on C:. If D: is on a second SSD, you will have a negligible delay. If D: is on a mechanical HDD, it will be at least 10 times slower than a typical SSD and you will thus slow down the computer. If you have 16GB or more RAM you may not notice the difference unless you run too many applications at the same time or virtual machines. If you have 8GB or less RAM the difference is noticeable and annoying. It's not worth it if you have over 80GB free space on the SSD, just leave the page file on C: to speedup your PC.

kelper · Feb 8, 2025

As I understand it, Windows 11 memory management is very sophisticated and does a lot in the background and, unless you have very specific requirements, the OS will do a better job than you.

Just my tuppence worth!

Berton · Feb 8, 2025

In some past versions of Windows and Windows-based programs [haven't checked lately] it was very important to have a default Virtual Memory set and also have a Temp folder on the same drive as the OS. The programs would look for those items during their install and fail if not found.

XxXxX · Feb 8, 2025

i have my paging/swap file placed on the RamDrive set to 1024/1024MB with the page/swap cleared on every shutdown.
best of luck, Steve ..

kelper · Feb 8, 2025

XxXxX said:
View attachment 124726

i have my paging/swap file placed on the RamDrive set to 1024/1024MB with the page/swap cleared on every shutdown.
best of luck, Steve ..

How virtuous can you be?!!!

spapakons · Feb 8, 2025

XxXxX said:
View attachment 124726

i have my paging/swap file placed on the RamDrive set to 1024/1024MB with the page/swap cleared on every shutdown.
best of luck, Steve ..

It beats the purpose. The swap file is used when RAM is full. The only way to speedup the computer is add more RAM, if possible, and configure Windows to not use a swap file. Provided the open applications and virtual machines do not go past 3/4 of the available RAM, it will be as fast as the hardware can go. Much like an SSD or mechanical HDD. The less the available free space the slower the system becomes.

XxXxX · Feb 8, 2025

spapakons said:
It beats the purpose. The swap file is used when RAM is full. The only way to speedup the computer is add more RAM, if possible, and configure Windows to not use a swap file. Provided the open applications and virtual machines do not go past 3/4 of the available RAM, it will be as fast as the hardware can go. Much like an SSD or mechanical HDD. The less the available free space the slower the system becomes.

i do this mainly for system security not speed. the swap file is there for legacy as some software looks for a swap file.
having the swap cleared on every shutdown just makes sure not a lot from ram can be dumped or remain in swap.

thats the way i have set it up and it works for me.
best of luck, Steve ..

krism · Feb 8, 2025

To me this would depend entirely on how memory intensive the apps you run, are.
I never liked the idea of a dynamic page file(s), but I have 32GB so I'm not likely to run into paging problems except briefly when I am exporting a video from video-processor app. So I set it to a value (1GB) to test, and see if my systems seems to be bogged down at any point. You can check at search/performance/Performance Monitor/ - look at Performance/memory committed bytes in use, and other data there. Also, Rt click on taskbar/choose Task Manager/choose Performance can give you a wealth of info / idea as to whether things are bogged down. hth

In general, a page file should go on the fastest drive - if you have a 990 Pro, that that is where your page file should go ASSUMING it is always present when you are using win 11.

AndreyT · Feb 9, 2025

Berton said:
In some past versions of Windows and Windows-based programs [haven't checked lately] it was very important to have a default Virtual Memory set and also have a Temp folder on the same drive as the OS. The programs would look for those items during their install and fail if not found.

That would indicate that developers of those programs are not very competent.

I keep my paging file(s) (pagefile.sys and swapfile.sys) and temp folder on a separate SSD. Have never had any problems with other programs. However, from time to time I notice that some programs re-create a temp folder at C:\Windows\Temp or at %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp. Apparently, the developers of those programs hardcoded these locations into their code instead of consulting the current %TEMP% variable. Very incompetent.

(Come to think of it, it might be a good idea to create Temp directory junctions at these locations, leading to my proper temp location...)

Nevertheless, once again, I have never seen any programs to actually fail because of that.

spapakons · Feb 9, 2025

In my 480GB SSD due to many other data and a lot of applications, I have free disk space barely 90GB, so I put the temp folder on another disk and keep only the swap file on the SSD to avoid unnecessary delays. Before my 1TB SSD would go bad, I also had the temp folder on the SSD to speedup applications. Unfortunately a power outage damaged my 1TB SSD and I returned it for a replacement. I am still waiting to call me, so right now I use my 480GB SSD and I have the temp folder elsewhere.

About the windows managed pagefile size

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