Clearing the pagefile

[J_A_C_K_S]

When Windows writes memory data to the pagefile, it can contain sensitive information that you don’t want to be accessible on the disk, including passwords. If anyone in your organization works with sensitive information, clearing the pagefile on that desktop is an important step to take to ensure that data isn’t accessible to unauthorized users.

By modifying a registry setting, you can have Windows clear the pagefile on shutdown. This will wipe data written to disk and prevent sensitive files from being accessible. However, the system may take longer to shut down because the computer must write to each page in the pagefile to erase the data contained in it.

To clear the pagefile each time Windows is shut down, perform the following steps:

Run Regedit.
Locate the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management.
Set the value for ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 1.

If the value doesn't exist, add the following:

Value Name: ClearPageFileAtShutdown
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

You must restart the computer for the setting to take effect.

[tampabay420]

http://www.zdnet.com.au/itmanager/te...0271236,00.htm

Clearing the pagefile

When Windows writes memory data to the pagefile, it can contain sensitive information that you don’t want to be accessible on the disk, including passwords.

If anyone in your organisation works with sensitive information, clearing the pagefile on that desktop is an important step to take to ensure that data isn’t accessible to unauthorised users.

By modifying a registry setting, you can have Windows clear the pagefile on shutdown. This will wipe data written to disk and prevent sensitive files from being accessible. However, the system may take longer to shut down because the computer must write to each page in the pagefile to erase the data contained in it.

To clear the pagefile each time Windows is shut down, perform the following steps:


Run Regedit.
Locate the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management.
Set the value for ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 1.
If the value doesn't exist, add the following:


Value Name: ClearPageFileAtShutdown
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
You must restart the computer for the setting to take effect.

Because this may lengthen the shutdown time, you may want to give the setting a trial period to see how it works out. If shutdown takes an excessively long time, you may want to change the value for the setting back to 0. But if securing sensitive data is critical to your organization, slow shutdowns may be something you’re willing to live with. For additional information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article (182086 - http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;182086)

I've read this article, it can be pretty useful- esp if it's a public machine... anyway

-take it easy

[tampabay420]

uh-oh some one is mad that i fouled his dasterdly plans...
just got negged, hmm... i wonder who it was? (jacks?)
next time, include a source link... not including anykind of source info would imply that this is your idea/work? obviously it's not, unless you work for zdnet

[neta1o]

Thanks for the pagefile info, but theres a lot of similar stuff at www.regedit.com also. Enjoy.

neta1o

[Trust_Not_123]

um, if you use an XP box, there is a program called customizer XP and there are a ton of options you can change for windows, many of them to change noramlly you would have to find keys and change and this could take ages. with customiser XP all you have to do is tick a check box and its all done. sometimes a reboot is needed but thats normal hey.

clearing the paging file at shutdown is also one of the options. by the way, just for the record. sometime and mainly depending on what you have been doing during the uptime, the shutdown process could take quiet along time. but that depends on alot of things.

[noODle]

The clearing of the pagefile is included in Windows itself.
Open up 'mmc' select grouppolicy pluggin,local computerpolicy,windows settings,security settings,local policies, security options.
You will find it right there along with other security settings.

This is also where you can rename the administrator account. (at least in 2k it is)