Pagefile.sys

Running Avira antivirus program, it came up to a warning that the program could not open pagefile.sys. Do I need this file? And if I don't need it, how do I locate and delete it? I did a search and came up empty. It was only a warning and I don't think it is very important to get rid of it. However, I need to know about this file.
Thanks in advance to your replies.

 

It's your swapfile, when your computer runs low on memory it pages some of the least used memory blocks to the hard drive so other more immediate memory requirments can be addressed.

It's also normal for this file to be hidden and locked so unless you have other issues I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Edit: Actually I'm a little suprised that Avira issued a warning about this, can you confirm the location of the file is C:\pagefile.sys? If so don't worry about it but if not what is the location of the file?

 

Some websites might suggest to "make your computer faster" by turning off the page-filing system. This is not recommended. Check that yours has not been turned off or limited in size.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223

 

Mattman, thanks for your reply. The mere fact that Avira could not open the file, like you say, it is probably desabled. Before I can be sure I will have to locaate this file.
Thanks again, I will post with my results.

 

Don't overlook wildfire's information. Why the antivirus might want to scan the page-filing file (Pagefile.sys) might be a wonder.

Matt

 

When checking the report from Avira antivir, yes, the location in on the root drive, C:\pagefile.sys. However, installed diskeeper 2009 and ran defrag to the pagefile and it seems that the computer is running better now. I will run the antivirus again to see if it comes up with the warning again. But like you said I am not going to worry myself much about it. If I were back in NY where I have all my tools and diagnostic disks plus my windows disks, I would just wipe the drive clean zero it and start all over again.
Thanks to you guys for all the help and info.

 

Sounds benign, maybe Avira is flagging false warnings, but please read on...

No need for such drastic action. As Matt posted before verify that you are using a paging file (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223). If so I'd say you've nothing to worry about, if not then delete that file and see what happens. Assistance is available without zeroing the drive.

Let us know how you get on.

 

I want to thank you guys a bunch for your help. However, let me be honest here. I did not quite understand how to check if my pagefile is on or off. The link by Mattman I read it and understand all about the size of the virtual memory and all that, but I did not understand how to locate the pagefile to see if it was enabled or not.
Thanks.

 

No problem, step by step

Right Click on My computer...
Select Properties...
Click the Advanced tab...
Click the first settings button in the performance panel...
click the Advanced tab inside the performance options window

Now look at the virtual memory section, if the paging file is not zero and if you only have one hard drive then don't worry Avira is just being too carefull

 

Wildfire, thanks. I did go there, but was not sure that is where you check to see if it is enabled or not.
Thanks again, you have been a great help to me. I think I have it down packed now.