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General discussion

Cleaning prefetch in XP: how and how often?

Nov 25, 2004 7:23AM PST

In another thread, Marianna learned me to clean my prefetch folder, which I did. I decided to google prefetch a little and found this:

"My suggestion is: open C(system drive):/windows/prefetch, delete all files (or at least those more than 3 weeks old), reboot. I recommended that you do this every month.

Editor Note: Deleting prefetch files too often (Every reboot) can decrease system performance!"

I thought I'd post this and let whoever shoot at it.

Don't look for anything about prefetch in MS's wonderful H*ll and Suppository program. I think MS didn't want to confuse people by giving them information they should have.

I still wonder in some amazement how the techs and gurus learn about such things.

grandpaw

grandpaw

Discussion is locked

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Re: Cleaning prefetch in XP: how and how often?
Nov 25, 2004 7:37AM PST

As you've probably read the prefetch folder just helps some applications start faster. You can delete the contents if you want, but it will fill back up again. I've tried but have not noticed any system improvements.

Good luck,

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Thanks, Coryphaeus,
Nov 25, 2004 9:06AM PST

I knew there would be just one simple answer. The bright side is that whatever I do, there will be someone who will think it is the right way. grandpaw

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Quite welcome,
Nov 25, 2004 9:47AM PST

And please call me Wayne, all my friends do.

I found the folder a while back and wondered what it was for. After researching here and at Microsoft I deleted the contents. It stayed empty for a while, and now it has 98 objects 3.6 Meg in size. When I get bored I'll clean it again. Wink

If its function is to speed things up, more power to it.

Wayne

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Re: Cleaning prefetch in XP: how and how often?
Nov 25, 2004 7:58AM PST

Grandpaw7..
Thanks for your speedy reply on "Turkey Day"! I'm one of those annoying people who like to know "why" on most things. So, out of my own curiousity... What is the purpose of the Prefetch folder? (What you said made sense in the fact that all the dates on the files were very recent, and yet, I thought an ".EXE"'..execution?.. file was something that was important and one of those "untouchables".)

When I followed what Grif suggested, deleting via "search", I was unable to delete 10 of them. I got a message telling me it couldn't be deleted because the system didn't know where it was created. What now? Too many issues in one post????

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Prefetch!
Nov 26, 2004 3:25AM PST
Prefetch is one HUGE word.

1. The MSDN article "Memory Management Enhancements" explains the purpose and use of the Windows XP Prefetcher component that can be nulled -- explained in [Q307498] -- to troubleshoot system memory problems. As outlined in this article, the scenario of prefetching is a huge process, a possible drain on system resources, and nullifying its use for a text session may render conclusive answers to the problem experienced. For instance, the Prefetch may contain corrupt, invalid, or obsolete information.

Note: "I/O performance" is strongly influenced by the layout of files on disk -- those you use most frequently. Once every three days, by default, Windows will perform a partial defragmentation and adjust the layout of the disk based upon current use. The files to be moved are written to "Layout.ini" (found in the Prefetch directory under the System Root directory), and the disk is reorganized based on its content -- files and directories in the order that they were referenced during boot and application start in the last 3-days -- for a faster partial defragmentation instead of a full defragmentation. Delete the content of the folder C:\windows\prefetch. The folder will be rebuilt in 3-days, or another can be created immediate by initiating the following command on the Run line, and then press ENTER:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

2. Further reading on this subject, "Kellys-korner" and/or "Kernel Enhancements for Windows XP."
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Re: Prefetch!
Nov 26, 2004 6:00AM PST

Bill, Re Kellys Korner, this site has quite a number of items well worth reading and inwardly digesting for anyone running XP.
Thanks for the link.

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Phattdaddy another great XP link
Nov 26, 2004 6:15AM PST
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Re: Prefetch!
Nov 26, 2004 6:14AM PST

Thanks, Cursorcowboy. You had come to my rescue on other time. I love specifics.. and that's what I got!

Again.. Thanks

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Re: Cleaning prefetch in XP: how and how often?
Nov 26, 2004 5:12AM PST

I also recently ran across this Tip, and promptly deleted all prefetch files. I haven't noticed any improvements to my system's performance, nor any adverse effects from deleting these files. The Tip said to do this about once a Month.