About Pagefile.sys & Why Is Pagefile.sys Huge
Pagefile.sysalso known as a page file or paging fileis stored in the C drive by default and you can see it after setting the system to show hidden files. As an extension of the physical RAMthis file plays a crucial role.
TypicallyWindows can use up the physical memory space. To make up for the deficiencythe system uses your hard drive as additional virtual memory and moves some data to pagefile.sys to ensure smooth running. Usuallythe recommended pagefile.sys size is approximately 1.5 – 2 times the size of your total RAM.
Howeveron your PCyou may notice the issue of pagefile.sys huge (even larger than 20GB) and the same issue is also reported by many users in communities.
Why is pagefile.sys too big? You may use multiple resource-heavy applications that increase the demand for virtual memoryresulting in big pagefile.sys. BesidesWindows automatically manages the page file sizemaking the allocated space more than necessary. Alsoyou close apps but no memory is released (we call memory leak).
High pagefile.sys can occupy significant storage spacecause performance issuesand increase disk wear. Sowhat can you do with these annoying issues? Take measures to reduce pagefile.sys size and solve the big page file issue.
Tip 1: Use MiniTool System Booster
Since running intensive applications and memory leaks are the culprits of the pagefile.sys huge issuethe essential thing you should do is to disable those programs and free up RAM. Is there any tool to cope with these two tasks simultaneously? MiniTool System Booster can!
It has the capacities of deeply scanning your computer to release much memory space and clean up the system for peak performancefinding processes or services that eat a lot of CPU and RAM usage and disabling themenabling some options to speed up RAM and CPUand more.
No hesitations. Try MiniTool System Booster to reduce pagefile.sys size.
MiniTool System Booster TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 1: After installing this PC optimizer on your computerlaunch it to enter the Performance interface.
Step 2: In order to free up RAMgo to Deepclean > START CLEAN and skip some cleanup tasks to the Memory Mechanic section. If neededyou can choose to perform those tasks to clean up the system for optimal performance.
Step 3: Nextclick RUN MEMORY MECHANIC to clear up some RAM space.
Step 4: Since too many background applications are intensiveincreasing the size of pagefile.sysyou should go to Toolbox > Process Scanner. Thenperform a scan and click Terminate Process to disable the target processes.
Step 5: Besidesyou had better access the LiveBoost page and enable OptiCoreRAMJetand AcceleWrite so as to ensure peak performanceespecially with memory-intensive programs.
Tip 2: Reduce Pagefile.sys Size
Windows automatically manages the page file on your PC and allocates more space to that file. Sohow to deal with the pagefile.sys huge issue? Reducing its size does the trick via these steps.
Step 1: Press Win + Stype View advanced system settingsand press Enter to open System Properties.
Step 2: In the Advanced tabtap Settings from the Performance section.
Step 3: Navigate to Advanced and click Change from Virtual Memory.
Step 4: Do not tick Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
Step 5: Check Custom size and fill the value into the fields of Initial size and Maximum size as per your physical RAM space.
Tip 3: Move Pagefile.sys to Another Drive
As mentioned abovethe pagefile.sys huge problem impacts the computer performance. Given thatyou can move this file to another drive to free up disk space on the C drive to boost the performance.
Step 1: In the Virtual Memory window (repeat step 1 to 4 in Fix 2)tick No paging file and click Set.
Step 2: Choose another drive under Drivecheck System managed sizeand tap Setthen OK.
Tip 4: Extend Your C Drive
The huge pagefile.sys stored in the C drive slows down your PC due to the insufficient disk spacethuswhat you can do is extending the partition. In this manneryou won’t worry about the pagefile.sys too big issue.
There are several ways to extend C partition and here we use MiniTool Partition Wizarda partition manager. In managing disks and partitionsthis tool is of great usewith no limitations in Disk Management.
Thereforeget it to have a try now.
MiniTool Partition Wizard FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 1: Open MiniTool Partition Wizard.
Step 2: In its main interfaceright-click on the C drive and choose Extend.
Step 3: Take some free space from another drive in the new window and apply the change.
Attention: Don’t Delete Pagefile.sys
Some of you consider deleting the page file if it is too big. Never do this thing! Pagefile.sys is essential for the operating system since it serves as a crucial buffer when your physical RAM is filled up. Without itthe system could crash and some apps stop working.
Final Words
The page file in your PC is a vital part and don’t delete it even though pagefile.sys is huge. When confronted with the pagefile.sys too big issuewhat to do? Reduce the file sizemove this file to another driveor extend the C partition.
Alsouse MiniTool System Booster to free up memory space and disable resource-hungry processes. Besidesthis PC optimizer helps speed up the system to dramatically boost the PC performance by improving the disk performanceCPUand RAMuninstalling unwanted appsdisabling startup itemscleaning up junk filesetc. Once the machine turns slowdon’t forget to run the utility.
MiniTool System Booster TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Vera is an editor of the MiniTool Team since 2016 who has more than 7 years’ writing experiences in the field of technical articles. Her articles mainly focus on disk & partition managementPC data recoveryvideo conversionas well as PC backup & restorehelping users to solve some errors and issues when using their computers. In her spare timesshe likes shoppingplaying games and reading some articles.