What Are Prefetch Files on Windows

You may have noticed a Prefetch folder on your machine.

What are prefetch files?

What are they used for?

prefetch files in File Explorer

If you are curious about those files, lets continue to the following content.

Prefetch files are created by the Windows operating system when you launch an program for the first time.

The trace files of Prefecture are saved in the Prefetch folder in the Windows folder on the C drive.

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Prefetch files include data that the computer requires when booting up the computer and launching applications.

Apart from improving computer and tool startup efficiency, prefetch files help to analyze malware on your rig.

Hence, analyzing the corresponding prefetch file works for malware investigation.

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Can I Delete Prefetch Files

What are prefetch files?

it’s possible for you to answer this after reading the above section.

Then, you may have another question: Is it safe to delete prefetch files?

open the Prefetch folder using the Run dialog

Windows will create the corresponding prefetch files when you initiate the applications on your box again.

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run the del command line to delete prefetch files

Lets work through them together.

Way 1.

Delete via Run Dialog

Step 1.

change the registry value data to manage the prefetcher utility

PressWin + Rto launch the Run dialog.

TypePrefetchinto the dialog and pressEnterto initiate the folder directly.

PressCtrl + Ato select all the files in the Prefetch folder, and hit theDeletekey on your keyboard.

you’re able to either skip the file or end the program to complete deletion.

Way 2.

Delete via Command Prompt

Step 1.

TypeCommand Promptinto the Windows search bar and right-choose the best-matched item to chooseRun as administrator.

Typedel C:\Windows\prefetch*.

*/s/qand pressEnterto execute this command line.

you’re able to complete this operation by managing the Windows Registry.

PressWin + Rto initiate the Run window.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters

Step 4.

On the right pane, double-press theEnablePrefetchervalue and change the Value data to0to disable this feature.

ClickOKto save and apply the change.

Final Words

What are prefetch files?

Can you delete prefetch files?

How can you delete them?

After reading this post, you must have answers to those questions.

Hope here is useful information to you.