The Page File, SuperFetch, and ReadyBoost
The Page File
With Windows 7 I did extensive testing on the page file and running without one. I highly suggest you read it: The Windows 10 Pagefile And Running Without One
My overall conclusion is that running without a pagefile has no performance advantage.
If you have enough RAM, you may be able to run without one (see article mentioned above). I have been running Windows 8 on my main rig without a pagefile since March of 2012 without issue (SSD and 8 gigs of RAM).
The BS about pagefiles wearing out SSD’s has been debunked all over the web. By the time your SSD wears out you’ll have moved on from Windows 10.
My Recommendations
1 – Most users should leave the Pagefile alone. I do (system managed size).
2 – If you have +8 gigs of RAM then give disabling it a shot. (When your system locks up or crashes remember, I warned you.)
3 – If you want to fine tune the pagefile then see the article mentioned above.
To access pagefile settings, press the Windows + Pause Break keys > Advanced system settings > In the Performance section click the Settings… button > Advanced tab > Change button
Superfetch
This is a built-in tweaking program Windows uses to adjust the settings according to your hardware, among other things. Leave it alone. No, seriously. LEAVE IT ALONE.
With Windows 7 on an SSD disabling this was recommended. This is not the case anymore. A quote from the Intel SSD Toolbox help file:
“In Microsoft Windows 8, Superfetch functions differently than in previous versions of Windows, and should not be disabled for an Intel SSD.”
ReadyBoost
Meh. Get an SSD and 4 or more gigs of RAM. Honestly, if you have a Windows 7 era or better computer, then the above 2 things will help you more than ReadyBoost. Here is what I get when I attach 2 fast, 8GB, USB 3.0 flash drives:
Hi Eric,
Thanks for a masterpiece again.
I have posted about your guide in my favorite security forum: malwaretips.com
Appreciate the hard work you put in.
Thank you
I went through it page by page. Nicely done.
I notice in your Wise Disk cleaner part your showing version 8, there at version X which has Windows WinSxS (not show in version 8).
not a big deal but thought I mention it.
Hey Eric,
I guess gone are the days where we would pour thru Black Viper’s tables to figure out what to disable. Kudos to BV of course, but it’s nice we don’t have to worry about Windows services all that much anymore.
I would recommend disabling 2 additional services — Remote Registry (maybe I’m old school and this doesn’t matter anymore, but the name of the service is still downright scary), and Connected User Experience & Telemetry (thanks but no thanks MSFT).
Great guide and thanks as always for your efforts,
Steve
Thanks Steve. Remote Registry is disabled by default. Connected User Experiences and Telemetry is taken care of here via O&O Shutup10.