Page File Encryption - Enable or Disable

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
    Page File Encryption - Enable or Disable

    Page File Encryption - Enable or Disable

    How to Enable or Disable Page File Encryption in Vista and Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Enable or Disable Page File Encryption in Vista and Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to enable or disable encrypting the virtual memory page file in Vista and Windows 7.

    Encrypting the page file prevents malicious users from reading data that has been paged to a NTFS disk, but will also add processing overhead for file system operations.

    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.






    OPTION ONE

    Using a REG File Download


    1. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Enable_Page_File_Encryption.reg
    B) Go to step 3.
    2. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE: This is the default setting.
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Disable_Page_File_Encryption.reg
    3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

    4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

    5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and OK when prompted.

    6. Restart the computer to apply.

    7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





    OPTION TWO

    Through the Local Group Policy Editor


    NOTE: This option is only available in Windows 7, and is not in Vista.
    2. In the left pane, click on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Filesytem, and NTFS. (see screenshot below)
    Page File Encryption - Enable or Disable-gpedit-1.jpg
    3. In the right pane, right click on Enable NTFS pagefile encryption and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)

    4. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE: This is the default setting.
    A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    Page File Encryption - Enable or Disable-gpedit-2.jpg
    7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

    8. Restart the computer to apply.





    OPTION THREE

    Using a Elevated Command Prompt


    1. Open a elevated command prompt (Run as administrator).

    2. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter.
    fsutil behavior set encryptpagingfile 1
    B) Go to step 4.
    3. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE: This is the default setting.
    A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter.
    fsutil behavior set encryptpagingfile 0
    4. Close regedit, and restart the computer to apply.

    5. To Verify the Page File Encryption Setting
    A) Open a elevated command prompt.

    B) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter.
    NOTE: 0 = disabled and 1 = enabled
    fsutil behavior query encryptpagingfile
    That's it,
    Shawn








  1. Posts : 8,679
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #1

    Very nice.. as usual Shawn!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Thank you Boshko. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,036
    Winbdows 7 ultimate x64 | Ubuntu 12.04 x64 LTS
       #3

    Thank you Shawn, just did it.

    By the way, I think a mistake's there in language. The part in blue seems to have inter-changed.

    4. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE: This is the default setting.A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 826
    Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit SP1
       #4

    Interesting option! I tried enabling it via the registry file but it told me that "the key did not exist"? So I just configured it via the GP Editor.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    EzioAuditore said:
    Thank you Shawn, just did it.

    By the way, I think a mistake's there in language. The part in blue seems to have inter-changed.

    4. To Enable Page File Encryption
    A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Disable Page File Encryption
    NOTE: This is the default setting.A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
    Thank you Ezio. It has been corrected.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Lost Colonist said:
    Interesting option! I tried enabling it via the registry file but it told me that "the key did not exist"? So I just configured it via the GP Editor.
    Hello Lost Colonist,

    Was it a "file association does not exist..." type error instead?

    When you right click on the REG file, did you have a Merge option in the context menu?

    Were you logged in an adminsitrator account when using the REG file?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 64
    Windows 8 Pro
       #7

    Hello guys, I am wondering if I should encrypt the virtual page file... or just have it deleted on shutdown. What do you recommend? Or should I even bother with it? I just have a simple laptop..
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello Windows 911,

    Usually you would only encrpyt or delete the page file on exit if you are concerned about the possibily of someone reading it's contents. Encrypting the page file will get a small negative performance hit in Windows since it will take a bit longer to encrypt and decrypt everything in and out of the page file. Deleting the page file on exit will cause a delay at shutdown while you wait on the page file to be deleted.

    I would not recommend to turn off the page file. Some programs, usually older ones though, will require the page file to be turned on for them to run properly no matter how much RAM you have installed.

    Hope this helps some,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 64
    Windows 8 Pro
       #9

    Thank you for the quick reply :) Im thinking about encrypting at least, especially that I carry my computer around frequently. Is the performance impact negligible, or obvious? I don't care if it adds a couple seconds to startup or shutdown. Do you use it on your system Brink?
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:27.
Find Us