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

C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch

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.

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.

I could just flush the entire prefetch folder mannually.

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.

Whay are you wanting to do this?

Read about prefetch here  http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/supertweaks11.htm

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.

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

 

http://www.edbott.com/weblog/archives/000024.html

 

 

Not surprised by what I read.

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.