backup of pagefile.sys

While doing a total C:\ drive backup, I noticed that it was stated that the 'pagefile.sys' and 'hiberfil.sys' files would not be backed up. I would welcome confirmation that there would have been no data in these files and that they would be recreated during recovery.

 

You are right, the 'pagefile.sys' and 'hiberfil.sys' files are excluded from backup, the backup image will have the 'pagefile.sys' and 'hiberfil.sys' files but they will be empty 0 KB.

 

These files are essentially recreated each time you bootup Windows so a backup would be meaningless.

 

Thanks Seekforever.

 

Thanks cincinnatijack

 

Are you saying that everytime we shut down windows, that 'pagefile.sys is deleted and any private or sensitive data inside is erased?

If so, then why do some programs like Eraser from Heidi etc recommend we wipe the 'pagefile.sys all the time?

 

Most likely it is just like other files, deleteing the file just removes its entry in the file table and does nothing to overwrite the information contained in the sectors that made up the file. This is how file recovery programs are able to restore deleted files and why secure delete programs overwrite the sectors with various patterns. It isn't normally done because it would slow the PC down for no real benefit in most cases.