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2 Intern

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March 29th, 2007 00:00

What is the complete file path to get to the windows pref...

What is the complete file path to get to the windows prefetch folder?

2 Intern

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12.7K Posts

March 29th, 2007 00:00

C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch

2 Intern

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1.1K Posts

March 29th, 2007 01:00

I was hoping that the prefech folder would allow me to see what is in it and delete items manually like internet explorer is with internet cookies, but this is not the case.

2 Intern

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12.7K Posts

March 29th, 2007 01:00

Yes you can but first you have to change folder view settings. Go to control Panel\Folder Options\View Tab
 
now, tick "Display the contents of System folders" and "show hidden files and folders"  Hit OK.
 
you may have to untick "hide protected operating system files", this one is better left alone if you can.

2 Intern

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1.1K Posts

March 29th, 2007 06:00

I could just flush the entire prefetch folder mannually.

93 Posts

March 29th, 2007 13:00

i could be wrong but ive heard you arent supposed to remove anything in that file unless your computer is so clogged up with junk in there that it doesnt run right anymore. im sure someone will correct me if im wrong.

2 Intern

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12.7K Posts

March 29th, 2007 13:00

Whay are you wanting to do this?

2 Intern

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12.7K Posts

March 29th, 2007 15:00

2 Intern

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1.1K Posts

March 29th, 2007 19:00

Here is what I know about the prefetch folder, but this is only stuff that I know about. The point of the prefetch folder is to speed up access time on the hard drive. When you use certain programs freqently, windows will recognize this and place a copy of the exe file in the prefetch folder. Clearing out the prefetch folder does no permant harm or even damage. Further boots and startups into windows are just a little slower then they were before, but it only takes a few days for the prefetch folder to grow again. Sometimes you may uninstall programs and then uninstall newer versions of those same programs or you may get rid of old word or excel docments. However, those copies may still exist in the prefetch folder unless they are removed by the programs uninstaller if a program is uninstalled.

2 Intern

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5.8K Posts

March 30th, 2007 00:00

Leave the prefetch alone. There is a lot of bad advice out there:
 
 
 

2 Intern

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1.1K Posts

March 30th, 2007 01:00

Not surprised by what I read.

2 Intern

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2.7K Posts

March 30th, 2007 12:00

When installing a new version of ZoneAlarm Pro it has been reccommended to delete all the files in the prefetch folder when doing a clean install of this program.  
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