Prefetch question

[Ken A]

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken A.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

Prefetch is supposed to improve performance over a system with no
Prefetch. That folder might get loaded with items if you run tons of
programs.... but I don't think that would reduce performance
noticeably, given the speed of today's machines and the amount of
memory most of them have installed.

That said, I've seen it recommended to delete entries that are over 30
days old. I've done it, and have seen no performance improvement.

My guess is that any improvement would only be measurable in
hundredths of a second or some other ridiculously small number.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows XP does this automatically. There is no need to manually
delete the contents of the prefetch folder.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Client

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
| once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
| comments of this would be greatly appreciated.
|
| Thanks,
| Ken A.

 

[Ken A]

Thank you Carey Frisch and Uncle Grumpy for your prompt and informative
replies.

Ken A.

 

[db]

hello carey,

i found your response
highly interesting and
perplexing.

could you kindly elaborate
a bit more as to how
and when this automatic
process occurs....?

tia
Windows XP does this automatically. There is no need to manually
delete the contents of the prefetch folder.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Client

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
| once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
| comments of this would be greatly appreciated.
|
| Thanks,
| Ken A.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows XP Kernel Improvements
http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/01/12/XPKernel/default.aspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Client

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

hello carey,

i found your response
highly interesting and
perplexing.

could you kindly elaborate
a bit more as to how
and when this automatic
process occurs....?

tia

 

[db]

thanks for the link.

however, I did read through
it and another before I asked.

it is understood that the prefetch
is defragged and as these articles
indicate.

however, I do not find any information
to suggest that windows reduces
the size of the folder by removing
some or all of the prefetch files
automatically.

of course, what is understood and what
you may have implied is that windows
manages the prefetch folder
by assuring that prefetch files get
created automatically.

it seems that issues arising with
a large folder with prefetch files, some
of which are orphans is not managed
automatically due to a lack of a limit
or factor designed into the o.s.

Otherwise it sounds like
this is simply another facet with the
genius of windows that requires manual
intervention and user ingenuity.

Would you mind giving me a bit
more detail if I am mistaken with
the above?

- db



Windows XP Kernel Improvements
http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/01/12/XPKernel/default.aspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Client

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

hello carey,

i found your response
highly interesting and
perplexing.

could you kindly elaborate
a bit more as to how
and when this automatic
process occurs....?

tia

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

hello carey,

i found your response
highly interesting and
perplexing.

could you kindly elaborate
a bit more as to how
and when this automatic
process occurs....?

You won't be satisfied by his reply. He's the CUT-AND-PASTE-EXPERT at
finding and using other people's work to reply here.

 

[Rock]

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

 

[db]

unfortunately, i disagree.

either you delete them or
you keep them.

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

 

[Kenny]

Clean Cache will clean the Prefetch folder amongst other things. I have
used it today but only as part of trying to remove the remnants of a worm.
http://www.buttuglysoftware.com/CleanCache3.html

 

[Rock]

"db" <databaseben.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
unfortunately, i disagree.

either you delete them or
you keep them.

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

___________

Disagree with what? I said if there are no issues or problem, then don't
bother with deleting the contents of prefetch folder. That won't improve
performance. This is been demonstrated objectively by several sources. If
you suspect a problem and corruption then fine, but not for routine
maintenance. So what is it you are advocating? Routinely deleting the
contents of prefetch?

By the way I found it humorous when you asked Carey for clarification. Your
standard response in the past when asked for clarification on some of the
drivel you've posted has been to tell the person to research it for
themselves, it isn't your job to do their work for them. Or you just don't
respond. Maybe you should get your own "house in order" so to speak?

While we are at it, I will ask again, why is it that the line lengths in
your posts are at most half of the normal line length? You've been asked
same question by many folks but you have never replied. Why is that?

 

[Rock]

Clean Cache will clean the Prefetch folder amongst other things. I have
used it today but only as part of trying to remove the remnants of a worm.
http://www.buttuglysoftware.com/CleanCache3.html

I'm not sure why are you posting this to me I'm not the one asking the
question.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

All of which will be a waste of time except for those who are obsessed
with matters such as this or with matters such as registry "cleaning".

Let Windows take care of things, and move on to what the system is
for: having fun.

 

[db]

I don't find any validity with the
"windows will manage it"
and
"only believe what i say because
everyone else are providing myths"
responses.

Microsoft.com has not issued a
"mandate" not to delete the
prefetch files.

Further if they were deleted, then
Windows was designed to rebuild
them and "rebuild only the ones that
are needed".

So if the prefetch files are cleaned
out / deleted monthly there is are
no consequence to the affect.

Conversely it is due to the deletion
of prefetch files on a regular basis
that additional trash files are removed
from the disk
and
newly rebuilt prefetch files ensures
none are corrupted, infected and
are "up to date" with the file system.

This is no myth!

- db


"db" <databaseben.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
unfortunately, i disagree.

either you delete them or
you keep them.

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

___________

Disagree with what? I said if there are no issues or problem, then don't
bother with deleting the contents of prefetch folder. That won't improve
performance. This is been demonstrated objectively by several sources. If
you suspect a problem and corruption then fine, but not for routine
maintenance. So what is it you are advocating? Routinely deleting the
contents of prefetch?

By the way I found it humorous when you asked Carey for clarification. Your
standard response in the past when asked for clarification on some of the
drivel you've posted has been to tell the person to research it for
themselves, it isn't your job to do their work for them. Or you just don't
respond. Maybe you should get your own "house in order" so to speak?

While we are at it, I will ask again, why is it that the line lengths in
your posts are at most half of the normal line length? You've been asked
same question by many folks but you have never replied. Why is that?

 

[mikeyhsd]

the argument goes both ways.
prefetch is supposed to improve the loading of programs, by the 10th of seconds.
some report that by deleting the prefetch you slow down the loading by 10th of seconds.

with my tri-focals and calibrated eye balls I can sure see the difference.

I have always run with PREFETCH turned off. it has too many problems.
it does not automatically purge items as it is supposed to do.
uninstalling items does not remove their entry from prefetch. so it is chase your tail during boot up looking for them.

it is a good idea to delete the contents regularly, frequency is up to you. to remove the garbage left over.
personally I TURN OFF prefetch in XP and also in Vista. and both are happier.



(e-mail address removed)



I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken A.

 

[mikeyhsd]

just as much as not removing the items is a myth.



(e-mail address removed)

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

 

[mikeyhsd]

another urban myth spread by those who have no experience in trying things to see how they REALLY operate.

deleting the contents CAN help. PERIOD.



(e-mail address removed)



"db" <databaseben.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
unfortunately, i disagree.

either you delete them or
you keep them.

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

___________

Disagree with what? I said if there are no issues or problem, then don't
bother with deleting the contents of prefetch folder. That won't improve
performance. This is been demonstrated objectively by several sources. If
you suspect a problem and corruption then fine, but not for routine
maintenance. So what is it you are advocating? Routinely deleting the
contents of prefetch?

By the way I found it humorous when you asked Carey for clarification. Your
standard response in the past when asked for clarification on some of the
drivel you've posted has been to tell the person to research it for
themselves, it isn't your job to do their work for them. Or you just don't
respond. Maybe you should get your own "house in order" so to speak?

While we are at it, I will ask again, why is it that the line lengths in
your posts are at most half of the normal line length? You've been asked
same question by many folks but you have never replied. Why is that?

 

[db]

n..e..v..e..r...!

there are dragons and
myths to slay here!

(jousting can be fun too)

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

All of which will be a waste of time except for those who are obsessed
with matters such as this or with matters such as registry "cleaning".

Let Windows take care of things, and move on to what the system is
for: having fun.

 

[Rock]

"db" <databaseben.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
I don't find any validity with the
"windows will manage it"
and
"only believe what i say because
everyone else are providing myths"
responses.

Microsoft.com has not issued a
"mandate" not to delete the
prefetch files.

Further if they were deleted, then
Windows was designed to rebuild
them and "rebuild only the ones that
are needed".

So if the prefetch files are cleaned
out / deleted monthly there is are
no consequence to the affect.

Conversely it is due to the deletion
of prefetch files on a regular basis
that additional trash files are removed
from the disk
and
newly rebuilt prefetch files ensures
none are corrupted, infected and
are "up to date" with the file system.

This is no myth!

- db


"db" <databaseben.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
unfortunately, i disagree.

either you delete them or
you keep them.

basically, the criterian for
deleting them is if they
corrupted, orphaned or unused.

if the orphaned and unused
files are retained, then they
can be classified as clutter and
or trash files.

if the corrupted files are retained
then the performance will degrade.

one might ask "which files are corrupted
as there is no indication as such?"

the answer is to "simply delete
all of them and windows will rebuild
"only" the ones for the programs
you actually "run" ...

I was told that it is a good idea to delete the Prefetch Folder at least
once a month. This is suppose to make the computer perform better. Any
comments of this would be greatly appreciated.

This is an urban myth that has no value under normal circumstances.
Deleting the contents of the prefetch folder will not improve computer
performance. In fact it will reduce it, until the prefetch folder is
rebuilt over several days as programs are run.

There might be a situation where there is a problem and deleting the
prefetch folder contents might be done for troubleshooting reasons, but
otherwise don't do so under normal circumstances.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

___________

Disagree with what? I said if there are no issues or problem, then don't
bother with deleting the contents of prefetch folder. That won't improve
performance. This is been demonstrated objectively by several sources.
If
you suspect a problem and corruption then fine, but not for routine
maintenance. So what is it you are advocating? Routinely deleting the
contents of prefetch?

By the way I found it humorous when you asked Carey for clarification.
Your
standard response in the past when asked for clarification on some of the
drivel you've posted has been to tell the person to research it for
themselves, it isn't your job to do their work for them. Or you just
don't
respond. Maybe you should get your own "house in order" so to speak?

While we are at it, I will ask again, why is it that the line lengths in
your posts are at most half of the normal line length? You've been asked
same question by many folks but you have never replied. Why is that?

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

________________

You haven't answered my questions.

1. So you are advocating regular deletion of the files in the prefetch
folder even though it has been objectively shown that doing so decreases
performance, and provides no discernible benefit?

2. Why do you post with reduced line lengths?