Does anyone know what the Prefetch directory under C:\windows is for? thanks, zagreb

Contains Win XP files that try to get other files needed to boot faster or make anticipated applications run faster by fetching them needed files to do that. This can get bloated !!!! They are not Spyware or Viri if that was the reason for the question. M

From M$: Optimizing Startup Times by Using Defragmentation Tools Windows XP Professional monitors the files that are used when the computer starts and when you start applications. By monitoring these files, Windows XP Professional can prefetch them. Prefetching data is the process whereby data that is expected to be requested is read ahead into the cache. Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP Professional and start applications. Prefetching is further improved if the files are located next to each other on the outer edge of the disk. Windows XP Professional optimizes the location of boot files and applications when the computer is idle. The optimization occurs in the background and lasts only a minute or two; you might hear the hard disk being accessed when optimization occurs. After the initial optimization takes place, subsequent optimization occurs, at most, every three days. When you run the Disk Defragmenter tools that are included with Windows XP Professional, they can perform any optimization updates that are scheduled to take place during the next idle period. The Disk Defragmenter tools do not disturb the existing layout of optimized boot files and applications. Note * Computers running Windows XP Home Edition also prefetch and optimize boot files and applications. --------------------- The Prefetch folder is quite large. I have deleted all files there, even Layout.ini, at times without problems. It will rebuild itself over time.

Another note about Prefetching Some applications can actually slow upon booting. Your computer can actually slow to boot because of the prefetch.. I make it a common pratice, about once a month to delete the contents of the prefetch directory. Dont worry. What is needed will be put there automatically. Junk Internet Explorer, Get Firefox! You'll be happy you did.

I never paid any attention to the Prefetch folder so after reading this post I looked at it. It contains 76 objects at 3.11 MB of data. The oldest of 75 of the files being dated 18Jun05. The 76th, NTOSBOOT-B00DFAAD.pf at 660 KB and the largest is dated 22Mar05. (I got the PC on 8Mar05) I'll have to look again in the future to see if it gets any bigger. Bryan