As an added security precaution it is possible to clear all data that has been written to the page file so it cannot be retrieved. The downside to this tweak is that it may substantially increase shutdown time depending on the amount of data in the page file.
[Start] –> [Run] –> Type Regedit –> Press Enter –> then Navigate to following Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
Right click in the right pane and create a new DWORD value with name ClearPageFileatShutDown and set its value to ” 1″ to enable clearing page file. “0″ to disable clearing page file.
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
Clearing the pagefile will do little for security. In most systems there are other ways to access confidential data and most require less effort. There no quick fixes. It would have value in a highly secure environment where a comprehensive security policy is in place. For most users it is quite inappropriate.
Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA