Where Is the Windows Pagefile Stored?
Windows pagefile.sys default path, how to move it per drive, and why deleting it by hand is the wrong fix for disk space.
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Windows pages memory to a hidden pagefile.sys at the root of the system drive, usually C:. A hiberfil.sys sibling handles hibernation on laptops. Both stay locked while Windows runs, so Explorer cannot copy or delete them directly.
Manage size under System > Advanced system settings > Performance > Virtual memory instead of touching files. Moving paging to a second SSD helps cramped C: drives. Disabling paging to save space causes out of memory crashes that cost more than the gigabytes gained. Crash dumps in Minidump pair with paging when sizing faults.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
C:\pagefile.sys
Hidden system file at the drive root. Each paged drive gets its own. Change size in Virtual memory settings with an admin account, then reboot.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete pagefile.sys to free space?
Not by hand. Reduce it through Virtual memory settings or move paging to another drive. Full removal risks crashes in memory heavy apps and some games refuse to launch.
What is hiberfil.sys next to pagefile.sys?
The hibernation image holding RAM contents for fast resume. Disable hibernation with powercfg /hibernate off as admin to remove it and reclaim the space.
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