Prefetch directory: what folder is and why it is needed

Some users who like to browse the system catalogs often face the Prefetch directory. What kind of folder before the user in this case, know not all. Let's try to fill in the knowledge gaps about what this directory is for and what data it contains.

Prefetch: what folder

Consider the issue by submitting a theoretical material. At startup, the operating system monitors the boot process, storing all the data about it to speed up the subsequent launch in the Prefetch directory. What is the folder in front of us?

In fact, this is the directory on the hard drive of the computer, containing the actual data, parameters and components of the full cycle of the system startup and running the most frequently used programs.

To the next time not to load all the components from scratch, Windows and uses the data stored on the hard drive. Some users, however, say that for each subsequent start of the system, the information stored in the Prefetch directory becomes obsolete. Therefore, from their point of view, from time to time you need to clear the Prefetch directory. What kind of folder Prefetch, a little clear. But not all cleaning fans know that the data in it is overwritten automatically after each start or launch of the application.

Let's look at the practical side of the matter of deleting its contents. A little later, it will be told how to disable the use of the boot acceleration feature, if it is too much for someone.

Prefetch folder in Windows 7 and higher: does it need to be cleaned

Removing data from this directory will not cause any critical changes in the operation of the system or installed programs.

But all those who claim that after deleting information from this catalog, system loading and application launch will be faster. Quite the opposite, because the system or the program will have to re-run its own modules, putting them in the operating or virtual memory of the computer device, and this takes time. Using the data of the Prefetch directory, the time spent on these processes reduces significantly. Therefore, cleaning by and large is undesirable, especially - to delete the folder itself.

It is important to understand that with subsequent downloads, process data will still be stored. So purification and removal will be what is commonly called "Sisyphean labor."

Managing the contents of the Prefetch directory

If someone does not need this service, you can get rid of it. To do this, enter the Registry Editor (the regedit command in the "Run" menu, called by the Win + R combination).

Here you need to select the HKLM branch, and then go through the system directory (SYSTEM) and the settings of the current monitoring parameters (CurrentControlSet) to the section of the memory inspection where the desired directory PrefetchParameters is located. It contains keys of the format 0x0000000z, where "z" can take four variants of values:

• 0 - complete disconnection;
• 1 - acceleration of only the launch of programs;
• 2 - optimizing only Windows boot;
• 3 - the full function of the function (both for the system and for applications).

The same settings can be made in the Group Policy Editor or in the computer administration tool.

It remains to add that the directory is located in the system partition on the Windows / Prefetch path. What kind of folder and what it is needed for, it seems, is already clear. If you give a little tip in the end, it's better not to clean up the contents of the directory or change the service settings installed in the system by default.