Prefetch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Luiz Carlos G Monteiro
  • Start date Start date
The Prefetch folder contains information regarding the optimal disk layout
of program files so they launch quicker. You may delete all those files,
but XP will rebuild that folder so that your computer runs as efficiently
as possible. After deleting the prefetch files, your computer's performance
will suffer slightly until the prefetch folder is rebuilt. It takes approximately
three computer reboots to properly rebuild the prefetch folder contents.

Windows XP's Built-In Optimization
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1149277,00.asp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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:

| What for is the folder PREFETCH?
| Is it safe to delete its content?
|
| --
| Luiz Carlos Gonçalves Monteiro
 
Hi Carey,

I remember that there was a small program that could automatically clear the
Prefetch folder if you checkmarked that box but I can't think of the name of
it. Do you happen to know what it was or is?

Newtechie
 
Newtechie said:
I remember that there was a small program that could automatically clear the
Prefetch folder if you checkmarked that box but I can't think of the name of
it. Do you happen to know what it was or is?
Click to expand...

Why would you want to do such a thing?

Ken
 
Luiz said:
What for is the folder PREFETCH?
Is it safe to delete its content?
Click to expand...

When a program is loaded, a record is put, or updated, in the
corresponding file in Prefetch, detailing what files it uses, in what
order. Boot of the system has such a record, too

From that two things happen.

One - when a load is started in future, the system arranges to get the
expected files into RAM straight away, without waiting to be asked, and

Two - every three days, a sort of semi-defrag run is done in a quiet
period, which arranges files so that such sets will be able to load as a
smooth stream without need to hunt around the disk for them. The boot
side of this speeds load of the system: the Bootvis program does a
preliminary optimisation of their layout, but it will take place, and
better, through the automatic process. The details of the best layout
are kept in the layout,inf file which is checked and updated each time
this optimisation runs, for the best overall performance. This can be
used for optimisation alternatively by some third party defrag programs,
eg Perfect Disk Pro

Two points:

Contrary to what is said ( it is *not* necessary to empty prefetch.
Any program that does not get used for a week will have its file dropped
out anyway: ones that are rarely used get low priority in optimisation

and:
The optimisation at regular intervals is initiated by task scheduler so
you need to have it running for this to work (also for System Restore
to make its daily restore point) even though no scheduled task appears
if you look in control Panel - Scheduled tasks. Check the Advanced menu
there, and if it says 'Start Using. . ' click that so it says 'Stop
using . . .' It then looks for a time when the system is quiescent (I
think it waits for 15 mins of no disk activity, but am not sure on
that). This is one reason for the query 'my hard disk goes chattering
when I am doing nothing'; the other being search engine indexing.
 
prefetch is just another attempt to speed up a poorly coded, bloated OS.
it has MAJOR flaws, like when you uninstall a program its entry is not removed. this slows down booting since the system spends time looking for the uninstalled program.

feel free to delete the contents ONLY frequently.

here is the name of a program that will do it for you. ot even turn off the prefetch function.

windows-xp-prefetch-clean-and-control.exe
do a google search for it.



(e-mail address removed)



What for is the folder PREFETCH?
Is it safe to delete its content?
 
hope you do not expect an mvp to provide the name of such a program. mighty lose browny points.

here is one. do a google seasrch for it.

windows-xp-prefetch-clean-and-control.exe
can clear or even turn it off.



(e-mail address removed)



Hi Carey,

I remember that there was a small program that could automatically clear the
Prefetch folder if you checkmarked that box but I can't think of the name of
it. Do you happen to know what it was or is?

Newtechie
 
mikey said:
prefetch is just another attempt to speed up a poorly coded, bloated OS.
it has MAJOR flaws, like when you uninstall a program its entry is not removed.
this slows down booting since the system spends time looking for the uninstalled
program.
Click to expand...

What's so "MAJOR" about this, even leaving aside Alex Nichol's point that
unused code is removed in a week anyway? Can you tell us what the delay here
is, if any, during this week? Minutes? Seconds? Milliseconds?

You need to chill, dude.

Ken
 
nope, it is said that it is supposed to be removed, when in fact it hardly ever is.



(e-mail address removed)



prefetch is just another attempt to speed up a poorly coded, bloated OS.
it has MAJOR flaws, like when you uninstall a program its entry is not removed.
this slows down booting since the system spends time looking for the uninstalled
program.
Click to expand...

What's so "MAJOR" about this, even leaving aside Alex Nichol's point that
unused code is removed in a week anyway? Can you tell us what the delay here
is, if any, during this week? Minutes? Seconds? Milliseconds?

You need to chill, dude.

Ken
 
Ken said:
What's so "MAJOR" about this, even leaving aside Alex Nichol's point that
unused code is removed in a week anyway? Can you tell us what the delay here
is, if any, during this week?
Click to expand...

Incorrect understanding, and prejudice
 

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