Comments on: Safe to Delete Windows Prefetch

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 23:41:37 +0000

I just installed the new Norton Internet 2011, I keep getting a mssage from Norton telling me that I have high memory usage, Norton is telling me to empty the prefetch files, I opened it, and I don’t think it would be wise for someone such as myself to clear them out, I don’t know what I am doing with it, and I don’t trust them that much (Norton

By: jJff owens

jJff owens — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:47:50 +0000

and it has much more than 128 entries i looked it shows that their are 143 entries

By: jJff owens

jJff owens — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:43:23 +0000

I would really like to empty everything but readyboost folder and the info file.
but i have to ask will i get a blue screen or any errors?

By: Kainsmoney

Kainsmoney — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:53:43 +0000

I wont touch it myself, but sometimes, some .pf wont disappear even if you uninstall the program, and if self cleaning after 128 entries, if someone reach more than 128 entries, must have some many useless programs.

The best way is to check from time to time and see if there is any prefetch which is in no use anymore.

By: Russell Stevens

Russell Stevens — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:07:53 +0000

Deleting prefetch files is a bad idea for the average Windows user. As a tech I going to have a different opinion because I receive a lot of computers in various stages of virus and malware infections. I have found virus traces hiding in prefetch just waiting for the file to be accessed and reinfect the computer. Now the standard procedure is to empty the prefetch folder the same time I’m cleaning the rest of the computer of infections.

By: Beverly McAlister

Beverly McAlister — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:06:42 +0000

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).

By: Larry Miller

Larry Miller — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:36:08 +0000

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

By: luke

luke — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:37:58 +0000

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.

By: Leave the Prefetch folder alone … » The PC Doctor’s blog

Leave the Prefetch folder alone … » The PC Doctor’s blog — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:59:03 +0000

[...] It’s worth repeating : [...]

By: The Internet

The Internet — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

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.