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I'm using KeePass (on Windows 7) for storing passwords. The application is running on my laptop almost 100% of the time, but I'm using it rarely.

The problem is, that activating the window after long time takes huge amount of time, I'd say that OS realized the application is no longer used and swapped it.

I don't want OS to swap my KeePass (because of the loading lag, and also because of security - I don't like the idea of password keeping program's memory to be stored anywhere on HDD).

Is there any possibility how to tell OS not to swap some program? Or, is this achievable by some programming?

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    KeePass does not store unencrypted passwords in memory. So any swapping should not pose a security risk. keepass.info/help/base/security.html#secmemprot
    – Oliver Salzburg
    Nov 29, 2012 at 18:22
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    And, one sure way to disable paging (Windows does not perform swapping) is to disable the paging file altogether. :)
    – Oliver Salzburg
    Nov 29, 2012 at 18:24
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    Also from the page @OliverSalzburg linked to: "KeePass ≥ 1.15 and 2.x use the Windows DPAPI for in-memory encrypting the sensitive data. With DPAPI, the key for in-memory encryption is stored in a secure, non-swappable memory area managed by Windows." So even the key is never saved to disk with that option enabled (which it is by default).
    – Karan
    Nov 29, 2012 at 18:25
  • Thanks guys, I thought so, but I was not so sure. However, loading lag is still bugging me, the computer doesn't have enough memory to keep everything in it :(
    – nothrow
    Nov 29, 2012 at 20:18
  • make sure Superfetch service is running. The fixes the issue you have.
    – magicandre1981
    Dec 6, 2012 at 21:25

1 Answer 1

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There are plenty of people who will tell you that it's a bad idea to disable swap/pagefile.

If you decide it is something you wish to do, however, you can:

  • Right-click Computer
    • Click Properties
  • Click Advanced System Settings
    • Click Advanced tab
  • Click Performance
    • Click Advanced tab
    • Click Virtual Memory - Change

Here, you can make changes to where and how much pagefile you are using. I'm pretty sure everybody will agree that moving your pagefile off of your SSD and putting it onto a HDD would be a good idea, but completely disabling it could cause problems.

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    This isn't something I want to do, as I want disabling swapping just for one process. I'd say that disabling pagefile at all is bad idea too :-)
    – nothrow
    Dec 4, 2012 at 13:48
  • Sorry, I'm being told by multiple sources that it's an all or nothing type situation. Sorry I couldn't be of further help.
    – earthmeLon
    Dec 4, 2012 at 16:32

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