Share Similar Pagefile.Sys Paging File
Although you may have many gigabytes of RAM modules or physical memory, Windows operating system, particularly Windows 7 and Windows Vista is always craving for more memory. Virtual memory is one of the free as well as easy resolutions, by using a page file which is stored in hard disk that can be used instead of the RAM.
Although, paging file of virtual memory, i.e. pagefle.sys together with system as well as hidden attributes, fills up the space in hard disk.
While considering dual-boot and multi-boot system that is running multiple instances in Windows operating system in different drive of hard disk (volume or partition), there will be many copies of pagefile.sys that will be created and exist in every system drive. In a computer that runs slow on drive space, have multiple pagefile.sys files which will waste more space of disk.
For avoiding wastage of hard disk for VM paging file, you can opt for workaround which will instruct Windows7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 as well as Windows Server 2008 for using the same paging file.
For using a single pagefile.sys only for all operating systems of Windows which is installed in the PC, the user has first to decide in which drive to keep the pagefile.sys. That drive can be a drive of existing system in an operating system (that means no chance required for the OS installed), or may be a latest formatted drive or partition.
After determining in which drive you want to put the pagefile.sys, but the partition volume should be visible to each as well as every system for sharing the paging file. You can add or assign in the disk, otherwise can assign drive letter by using Disk Management of Computer Management in the Control Panel if the partition remains invisible to you. After that, the user has to determine drive letter path in the drive.
For switching and changing the paging file of the system for using the pagefile.sys which is shared, the user has to right click in the Computer, and then select Properties. After that click on the Advanced system settings (for Windows XP as well as Windows Server 2003, you have to go to the Advanced tab). Then click on Settings button which is there in Performance section, after that go to the advanced tab.
Here under the section of Virtual memory, you have to click on the Change button. Then uncheck the option which automatically manages the paging file size of all drives.
For those drives that you do not need pagefile.sys to be present, select them as well as set those for No paging file for disabling paging file storage in the drive. In that drive which contains the pagefile.sys that is shared, set it as the Custom size or may be as System managed size. The user has to repeat the same process for each and every operating system installed.