Prefetch And Indexing Service

[xtpacygax]

Hi, I just wanted to know some things on the prefetch folder and indexing service on windows. I have looked around, but havn't really found exactly what I wanted to know, mostly I just found how to change things with them.

For both I would like to mainly know what they do for you normally. Also, I would like to know what does disabling or deleting them do for you. Does it speed up your system, or just give you more space, etc.?

Thanks in advance.

 

[xtpacygax]

Can someone please explain to me at least what deleting your prefetch does for your system, and what leaving it how it is does for your system.

 

[Blitze105]

What is prefetch?
Prefetch is a folder that contains "start up data." It allows you to open programs faster.

So deleting it makes the computer slower?
No. Think of it as a small notebook to keep notes in, compared to 2 or 3 binders to find. Which is faster? The notebook. But what happens when the notebook is full and/or filled with things you only used a few times?

So don't delete them?
No, you should clear the prefetch every 2-3 months. This way the computer is not overloaded with junk prefetch files, or outdated ones.

-blitze

 

[xtpacygax]

Thank you very much.

 

[Win2kpatcher]

I agree I usually clean up my prefetch when I clean out all my temp files. It takes it only a few reboots to rebuild itself with the current list of used apps

 

[Hawk]

Indexing makes your seaches faster.

 

[macdawg]

I disable every unneccessary service for best performance.

Indexing Service = For the benefit it provides, the resource usage is far from an equal tradeoff.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/indexing_service.htm