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Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 22nd 13, 02:38 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
ECLiPSE 2002
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Posts: 130
Default Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch

I have a large number of files in the Prefetch folder - can I safely
delete them. I run CCleaner often but it doesn't seem to remove the
files.

TIA

Mary
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  #2  
Old March 22nd 13, 04:06 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
Ormolu
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Posts: 7
Default Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch

ECLiPSE 2002 wrote:
I have a large number of files in the Prefetch folder - can I safely
delete them. I run CCleaner often but it doesn't seem to remove the
files.

TIA

Mary


I have my prefetch disabled so nothing is stored there.

If you wish to delete those files, delete them to the recycle bin and then
use CCleaner to clear that out - but you will find that you will have to do
this daily if you want the prefetch folder cleared of files.

If you wish to disable Prefetch, this link will show you how:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms940847.aspx

Hope this helps


  #3  
Old March 23rd 13, 03:24 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
ECLiPSE 2002
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Posts: 130
Default Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch


Thanks for the response - will try the disable suggestion

Mary


On Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:06:28 -0000, "Ormolu" wrote:

ECLiPSE 2002 wrote:
I have a large number of files in the Prefetch folder - can I safely
delete them. I run CCleaner often but it doesn't seem to remove the
files.

TIA

Mary


I have my prefetch disabled so nothing is stored there.

If you wish to delete those files, delete them to the recycle bin and then
use CCleaner to clear that out - but you will find that you will have to do
this daily if you want the prefetch folder cleared of files.

If you wish to disable Prefetch, this link will show you how:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms940847.aspx

Hope this helps


  #4  
Old March 23rd 13, 06:55 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
hp
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Posts: 11
Default Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch

On 3/23/2013 12:27 PM, Ken1943 wrote:
On Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:38:53 -0400, ECLiPSE 2002
wrote:


I have a large number of files in the Prefetch folder - can I safely
delete them. I run CCleaner often but it doesn't seem to remove the
files.


TIA


Mary


Prefetch is automatically updated about every three days. I did some
tests and between deleting the files and rebuilding the files there was
a noticeable delay loading programs. That was with a 3 gig cpu.


Deleting the files to make things work better, is an old wives tale.


KenW


Might I ask about the situation concerning the need for prefetch in the
current technology of todays PCs with faster times and transfer rates?
  #5  
Old March 23rd 13, 06:58 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
Ormolu
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Posts: 7
Default Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch

Ken1943 wrote:
On Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:38:53 -0400, ECLiPSE 2002
wrote:

I have a large number of files in the Prefetch folder - can I safely
delete them. I run CCleaner often but it doesn't seem to remove the
files.

TIA

Mary


Prefetch is automatically updated about every three days. I did some
tests and between deleting the files and rebuilding the files there
was a noticeable delay loading programs. That was with a 3 gig cpu.

Deleting the files to make things work better, is an old wives tale.


KenW


There 'may' be a delay in loading 'some' programs - but I personally have
never noticed any real problems on my machines where prefetch is disabled.

The only program I have a problem with loading is Firefox (and I still get
that on a machine where Prefetch is still enabled [1] - and my son has also
complained about the slow start of it on his machine).



[1] And I use that machine to stir up those callers from India who ring
to tell me that "Microsoft has automatically informed us that your computer
may be infected with malware". Then if I'm bored, I will usually spend a
while to waste their time in 'letting them convince me' that the Prefetch
*and* the red crosses in Event Viewer files are malware.

The real fun is when after about half an hour of me having them dance
through a few hoops (I usually pretend that I'm a complete novice and keep
asking them to repeat their instructions) and they tell me that they need to
download remote software to clear the 'malware' at a cost of around £80 - I
tell them that they are talking utter rubbish (or words to that effect) and
that all my machines are prevented from automatically 'phoning home' to
Microsoft - at this stage, they usually use a few expletives and hang-up the
telephone.

One of the best sessions was when I told them that Prefetch was disabled and
therefore had NO files in it and the chap on the other end said that was
*impossible* and my computer would not work - and HIS language after some 15
minutes was rather funny.

I must be on their blacklist now as its some six months since their last
call. LOL


  #6  
Old March 23rd 13, 07:01 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support
Ormolu
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7
Default Is it safe to delete Prefetch files in C;\Windows\ Prefetch

ECLiPSE 2002 wrote:
Thanks for the response - will try the disable suggestion

Mary


On Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:06:28 -0000, "Ormolu" wrote:

ECLiPSE 2002 wrote:
I have a large number of files in the Prefetch folder - can I safely
delete them. I run CCleaner often but it doesn't seem to remove the
files.

TIA

Mary


I have my prefetch disabled so nothing is stored there.

If you wish to delete those files, delete them to the recycle bin
and then use CCleaner to clear that out - but you will find that you
will have to do this daily if you want the prefetch folder cleared
of files.

If you wish to disable Prefetch, this link will show you how:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms940847.aspx

Hope this helps


You're welcome Mary and I hope it resolves your problem.

If you do get problems, rember that Prefecth can easily be enabled again.


 




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