Article ID: 320423 - Last Review: June 10, 2011 - Revision: 7.1

Windows shuts down slowly when it is set to clear the virtual memory pagefile on shutdown

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This article was previously published under Q320423
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SYMPTOMS

When the Clear virtual memory pagefile when system shuts down Group Policy setting is turned on in Windows Server 2003 and in later versions, the computer may take longer to shut down than it usually takes. This setting is called Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile in Windows Vista and later versions.
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CAUSE

This behavior occurs because when this policy setting is turned on, the computer must physically write to each page in the pagefile to clear each page. The period of time that it takes for the system to clear the pagefile varies according to the pagefile size, and the disk hardware that is involved.
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STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Note This issue also occurs when the Group Policy setting is turned on in Windows XP and in Windows Server 2003.
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MORE INFORMATION

By default, the Clear virtual memory pagefile when system shuts down Group Policy setting is turned off. To confirm this setting on Windows 2000, on Windows XP, or on Windows Server 2003, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Administrative Tools.
  3. Double-click Local Security Policy.
  4. Double-click Local Policies.
  5. Click Security Options.
  6. Look in the Effective Setting column to the right side of the Clear virtual memory pagefile when system shuts down entry.
To check this setting on Windows Vista and on later versions, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, type secpol.msc, and then press ENTER.
  2. Expand Local Policies.
  3. Click Security Options.
  4. Look in the 'Security Setting column to the right side of the Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile entry.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Windows 7 Ultimate N
  • Windows 7 Starter N
  • Windows 7 Professional N
  • Windows 7 Home Premium N
  • Windows 7 Enterprise N
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Starter
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Home Basic N 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Home Basic N
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Business N 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Business N
  • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 Foundation
  • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V
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Keywords: 
kbenv kbprb KB320423
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