Safe to Delete Windows Prefetch
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http://live.pirillo.com/ – Yes, GreekHomer, it is safe to delete your Windows Prefetch files. However, there is just no need to. Doing so can actually slow down your next startup, instead of speeding it up as you’re hoping.
The Prefetch is a feature of Windows that actually speeds up the boot process. When Windows starts up, certain processes and programs must load. The files needed to start these are stored in the Prefetch folder. Windows automatically looks there for those files. If you clean out your Prefetch, it won’t hurt anything. But your next boot up will take longer, as those files are put back. My best advice is to just forget the Prefetch, and leave that folder alone.
I’ve done many videos on optimizing speed in the past. Let’s see what the chatters have to say…
Run a Defrag…
Use Disc Cleanup
Clean out Temp folders, either manually or by running a free program such as ATF Cleaner
Use MSConfig to limit the number of things that automatically start up when Windows loads
Each of these are good ideas. You can also try something like FastCache or CacheMan. These programs will change the way Windows handles DNS lookups for websites. They can significantly increase your browsing speed.
Your best course of action, though, is to either use less programs, or get better hardware. When it comes to computer speed and efficiency, it almost always boils down to hardware.
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5 Comments
The Internet
December 24th, 2007
at 3:41pm
Just as long as you don’t clear it too often it may well help expedite booting though it really may not otherwise: <http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/08/29/safe-to-delete-windows-prefetch/> <http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2007/12/12/xps-prefetch-directory/> I doubt it will have much of an impact on space used, IMO, but Vincent has a greater experience than I for I don’t do Vista and he does.
Leave the Prefetch folder alone … » The PC Doctor’s blog
August 30th, 2007
at 12:59pm
[...] It’s worth repeating : [...]
luke
June 12th, 2008
at 11:37am
i been using computers for a long time and build, sell, and fix them. the best tip i can give is reinstall the os fully updated. NOTHING faster than a clean os vs 3+ year old one. there is A HUGE difference no matter anyone says.
Larry Miller
August 3rd, 2008
at 7:36pm
Cleaning the prefetch folder is a BAD idea and will impair performance.
Contrary to popular opinion, the prefetch folder is NOT a cache. These files are used to optimize both booth and application launch times. Prefetch does not preload applications, or any portion of them at boot time. Application prefetch files are referenced only after application launch has been initiated. Checking the last access time stamps on these files will show this to be true. Unused or rarely used entries will have virtually no impact on performance. In any event the folder is self cleaning after 128 entries.
The Task Scheduler service MUST be enabled and set to Automatic for proper prefetch operation. Disabling this service can lead to severe performance degradation over time.
References:
http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/XPMyths.html
Also check the references on this page. One is by Ryan Myers, member of Microsoft’s XP performance team.
Larry MIller
Microsoft MCSA
Beverly McAlister
February 11th, 2009
at 9:06am
This is Really Cool! I’m over 50 & any time I find pages like this, Is a blessing. Thank You
for taking time & creating such a wanderful Help Page…..May GOD bless all of you boys & girls at Comcast (or computer Geeks).