Is it safe to delete pagefile.sys?

[Ramsnet]

I have 16gb of memory. Is it necessary to have another 16gb for virtual memory? Is it safe to disable it? The highest RAM usage I've ever used is about 12gb when rendering in Premiere.

 

[MarkW]

Do not delete that. Windows uses it constantly.

Understanding the Windows Pagefile and Why You Shouldn't Disable It

 

[rksextoms]

is it safe? if you do it through the windows settings..yes (doubt you could manage it otherwise unless in safe mode...an even then i'm not sure). Will it affect your performance with 16g of ram, I can't say as I've always had more HDD space to waste than memory and some software might intentionally try to use the page file so they don't take up your memory, some programs actually rely on it to store themselves there and execute while doing other full recovery jobs and the such, but the simple answer is yes...go to your system properties (control panel, system, and under advanced hit the performance button--on the NEXT advanced tab you should see virtual memory), that lets you choose a size (or no) page file at all. It won't crash your system, but you may need to remember how to change the setting back if any software ever requires there be a page file.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

it is of no benefit to disable the pagefile and can cause problems.

 

[jsmithepa]

If you just delete it, and able to, the OS would just re-create it during next boot. If there is an option to disable it, I suppose you could. I personally don't know what repercussion if any.

 

[rksextoms]

I'm kinda with him on this one lol...I wouldn't reccomend it unless your in dire need of the space.

 

[gbb0330]

I have 16gb of memory. Is it necessary to have another 16gb for virtual memory? Is it safe to disable it? The highest RAM usage I've ever used is about 12gb when rendering in Premiere.

yes you can disable it from system properties -> advanced tab -> performance settings -> advanced -> virtual memory -> change

if I were you I would set custom size, to lets say 4 GB, or relocate it to another drive, if you have one.

 

[MarkW]

Direct from Microsoft:

How to determine the appropriate page file size for 64-bit versions of Windows