Fix 0XC0000164: Floppy Disk Paging File Error
This error means Windows tried to use a floppy drive for virtual memory. The fix is usually disabling the floppy controller in BIOS or removing the drive letter.
1. Disable the Floppy Drive in BIOS (Most Common Fix)
Nine times out of ten, this error shows up on older machines—think Dell Optiplex 760s or HP Compaq desktops from the late 2000s. Windows tries to create a paging file on a floppy drive that doesn't actually have a disk in it, and the system panics.
Had a client last month whose entire print queue died because of this—they'd booted an old Dell tower and got the 0XC0000164 error before Windows even loaded. The fix was simple: disable the floppy controller in BIOS.
- Restart the PC and hit F2, Del, or F10 (depends on manufacturer) during boot to enter BIOS.
- Look for an option called Diskette Drive, Floppy Controller, or Legacy Diskette. It's usually under Integrated Peripherals or Advanced.
- Set it to Disabled.
- Save and exit (F10 usually).
That's it. Windows won't even see the floppy controller, so it won't try to use it for virtual memory. Boots right up after that.
2. Remove the Floppy Drive Letter in Disk Management
If you can't disable the floppy in BIOS (maybe the option's hidden or the BIOS is locked), or if you're on a newer UEFI system that still has a floppy drive connected, you can just yank the drive letter. Windows won't try to use a drive that has no letter assigned.
- Press Win + R, type
diskmgmt.msc, hit Enter. - Find the floppy drive—it's usually Drive A: or Drive B: and says Floppy Disk Drive.
- Right-click it and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
- Click Remove. Confirm if asked.
I've seen this work on Windows 10 builds 1809 and 20H2. The paging file will just default to the C: drive instead. No performance hit because floppy speeds are pathetic anyway—like 50 KB/s if you're lucky.
3. Manually Move the Paging File to C: Drive
Rarely, the error hangs around even after you disable the floppy or remove the drive letter. That means Windows is trying to create a pagefile.sys on a volume that's now invisible. You need to force virtual memory to the system drive.
- Press Win + Pause/Break to open System, then click Advanced system settings.
- Under Performance, click Settings, then the Advanced tab, then Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Highlight the system drive (usually C:), select System managed size, click Set.
- If you see any other drive listed (like A: or B:), select it and choose No paging file, then click Set.
- Click OK and restart.
This is belt-and-suspenders. It ensures that even if the floppy drive somehow reappears in the device list, Windows won't try to put the paging file there.
Quick-Reference Summary Table
| Cause | Fix | Difficulty | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOS still has floppy enabled | Disable floppy controller in BIOS | Beginner | Almost always—do this first |
| Floppy drive letter still assigned | Remove drive letter in Disk Management | Beginner | If BIOS won't let you disable floppy |
| Paging file still points to floppy | Manually set paging file to C: only | Intermediate | If error remains after steps 1 & 2 |
That's the whole playbook. Start with the BIOS disable—it's the fastest and most complete fix. If you're on a laptop or a prebuilt like an HP Pavilion where the BIOS option is buried, go straight to Disk Management. The manual paging file change is only for stubborn cases. Either way, this error is a relic of an era we should've left behind.
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