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Deleting files from Prefetch Directory in Windows XP

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 +0000

WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. Prefetch keeps a shortcut to recently used programs in order to speed the launching time for most frequently

Larry Miller

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:26:21 +0100

Deleting files in the prefetch folder as described will impair performance. Prefetch files are not shortcuts, they are files used by Windows to optimize application launch times. They are not referenced until the application is launched. Obsolete or rarely used entries will have virtually no impact on performance. In any event the folder is self cleaning after 128 entries. I have seen this occur many times. Manual deletion of these files has no benefits and will most certainly impair performance.

Ignore any and all advice to clean the prefetch folder. It is written by people who are ignorant of how prefetch really works.

Rod Gaskins

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:23:55 +0100

so if deleting the entries clears the 128 entries some of which are old wouldn't it be a good idea to delete the entries so you get a fresh list of entries which include the entries you want on it instead of things like the ikowin32 hack you just spent time getting rid of? Of coarse I guess if the program never gets run it will eventually get rid of its' self.

Tom

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:30:42 +0100

i acidently deleted the stuff in the folder, will it still be ok?

Nenad

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:54:30 +0100

@Tom
Yes it will be ok. You can delete everything in that folder and Windows will recreate it again when you run certain software on your computer

jp

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:17:20 +0000

Larry, if windows will recreate they files it wants in the folder whats the harm in wiping it clean. With all the viruses that have been known to hid there wouldn't it make sense to delete everything and let windows rebuild the folder with new files? So the fist time a program loads its a little slow but at least the bad files are gone.