prefetch folder

[clarkdevlin]

Is it a good idea to erase it? i heard Windows XP automatically loads programs it thinks you might need. The prefetch folder helps increase the loading of programs. However, it is waste of memory if it grabs unnecessary programs.

 

[bledd]

there's no harm in clearing it out, programs will just re-create the prefetch information

they'll run faster when they have some prefetch info, and it doesn't grow that much in size anyway..

 

[squiffy]

Use XP Lite to remove pre-fetch files. I guess if you've uninstalled applications that the pre-fetch directory still has it's worthwhile.

 

[bledd]

nlite > xplite

 

[Mr Men]

I normally delete it once a week with tunexp

 

[Jonny69]

I've tweaked the registry to disable prefetching on my laptop which has a slower hard disk than a desktop and it loads proggies like IE and Word a bit quicker. I *think* that was the reason, can't remember 100% but it is better on mine with no prefetch.

Also be aware that some viruses hide in the prefetch folder so when you're cleaning it up empty that folder as a matter of routine.