Set Pagefile

How to Change Pagefile Size and Location in Windows

By Tanveer Singh | Updated Nov 22, 2023

Introduction

Every now and then, you will see an Internet article discussing the benefits of changing the page file size and location in Windows. The page file is a hidden file that Windows uses to store data when there's no room for it left in your computer's RAM.

Benefits of Changing Pagefile Size and Location

There are several potential benefits to changing the page file size and location:

• Improved performance: By increasing the page file size, you can give Windows more room to store data, which can lead to improved performance, especially if you're running memory-intensive programs.
• Reduced wear and tear on your SSD: If you're using an SSD (solid-state drive), changing the page file location to a traditional hard drive can help reduce wear and tear on your SSD, as the page file is written to frequently.
• More control over your system: By manually setting the page file size and location, you can have more control over how your system uses memory.

How to Change Pagefile Size and Location

To change the page file size and location in Windows, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on "System and Security."
3. Click on "System."
4. Click on the "Advanced system settings" link in the left-hand pane.
5. Click on the "Performance" tab.
6. Click on the "Settings" button under the "Performance" section.
7. On the "Performance Options" box, go to the "Advanced" tab.
8. Under the "Virtual memory" section, click on the "Change" button.
9. Uncheck the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" checkbox.
10. Select the drive you want to store the page file on from the "Drive" drop-down menu.
11. Enter the desired page file size in the "Initial size (MB)" and "Maximum size (MB)" fields.
12. Click on the "Set" button.
13. Click on the "OK" button to close the "Performance Options" box.
14. Click on the "OK" button to close the "System Properties" window.

Conclusion

Changing the page file size and location in Windows can be a beneficial tweak for improving performance, reducing wear and tear on your SSD, and gaining more control over your system. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily make these changes and optimize your Windows system.