How to clear the pagefile at every shutdown
1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click Administrative Tools
4. Click Local Security Policy
5. Click the “+” next to Local Policies
6. Click Security Options
7. Doubleclick “Shutdown: Clear Virtual Memory Pagefile”
8. Select the “Enabled” radio button
9. Click OK
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An obvious question would be WHY?
What possible benefit would there be in clearing the pagefile on every shutfown?
First of all it has no performance benefits, none whatsoever.
It does have some value as a security measure. It is possible obtain access to sensitive data by means of the pagefile. But for the vast majority of users this risk is more theoretical than real. There are a variety of other ways to obtain access to confidential data and most of them are simpler.
Clearing the pagefile on shutdown is only useful as a part of an overall security policy. In itself it is virtually worthless.
It should also be added that this will considerably lengthen shutdown times.
Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA