How to remove Pagefile.sys from Windows

[Solitario]

I am running windows xp on my hp desktop. After updating my windows i have noticed that the file pagefile.sys always in C drive. It's almost 2. 9GB in size - I was wondering if I could delete it to make some space in hard disk. it's a hidden file and do i need this or can i delete it? thx in advance.

[MrChris-]

This is a 'file' generated/used by windows as 'virtual' memory; that part of the drive behaves as though it was RAM...If you have lotsa ram (like 512) then you probably won't ever use it. However, some programs won't run without that there (even if it never uses it).When physical RAM is fully used and there is need for more, infomation/data not currently being accessed can be 'swaped' to that location and thus free physical RAM for immediate use.

[Calvin K]

Pagefile.sys is a virtual memory file. Normally the size of pagefile.sys is around 1.5 times of your physical memory size. When you boot into Recovery Console and try to delete the Pagefile.sys file, the file is not present. Windows uses this file for its normal operation however if you really need the space you can delete it after turning the virtual memory option off. 512 meg of memory is not enough to be able to decrease your page file in most cases.

[jesse]

Pagefile.sys is the Windows paging file, also known as the file that Windows uses as Virtual Memory.They are used by Windows for hibernation and virtual memory control. The pagefile.sys shouldn't be any larger than your Ram. If by chance you have h/d space issues like I did, you can change the location of the pagefile to another volume or partition on your computer or server.

[Devasis]

• Boot into Recovery Console.
• Because you boot into the %SystemRoot% folder (most commonly the C:\Winnt folder), type the following command:
• cd \
• Type the following command to overwrite the existing Pagefile.sys file with Boot.ini:
• copy c:\boot.ini pagefile.sys
• Type the following command:
• del pagefile.sys
• After you copy Boot.ini over to Pagefile.sys, Pagefile.sys appears in the directory listing.