Pagefile is a hidden system file stored in the system drive of the computer. It is stored with the extension .SYS. This system file is responsible for the smooth working of the computer by reducing the workload of the RAM.
Pagefile.sys acts as a secondary RAM and it is designed for accommodating the already present programs in the RAM so that the new applications which you want to download has space. This is why Pagefile.sys is often referred to as Virtual Memory.
Also Read: An ample knowledge on Windows System Files
The size of the Pagefile.sys varies from a minimum of 1.5 times to a maximum of 4 times of the physical memory (RAM) of your computer. Pagefile is automatically managed by Windows 10 by default.
If you ever face a situation of PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA or KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), then your first duty would be managing Pagefile.sys. Here is how you can do so:
- Log in to Windows 10 via an administrator account.
- Right click on the Start button on the screen. A context menu will be opened.
- Click on the option ‘System’. A window opens.
- At the left of the window in the options pane, select ‘Advanced system settings’.
- The System Properties box opens, and then click on ‘Advanced’ option on the menu bar.
- Click on ‘Settings’ under the ‘Performance’ box.
- Another window opens. Click again on ‘Advanced’ present ion the menu bar of the window.
- Click on the ‘Change” button beneath the ‘Virtual memory’ box.
- The Virtual Memory box appears. Uncheck ‘Automatically manage paging file size for all drives checkbox’.
- Select the available drive that appears.
- Select ‘Custom size’.
- Type the minimum and maximum size of Pagefile in MB accordingly to your RAM.
- Select Set and then click OK.
- Restart your computer after you have finished.
Also Read: How to remove pagefile.sys in windows 10?
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