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Prefetcher Guide:
Defragging the Prefetch File:
Cleaning out the Prefetch Files:
Repairing the Prefetch Folder:
Prefetch Parameters
The Prefetcher's configuration is stored in the Windows Registry at
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management\PrefetchParameters.
0 = Disabled
1 = Application launch prefetching enabled
2 = Boot prefetching enabled
3 = Applaunch and Boot enabled (Optimal and Default)
Prefetch Description
One of the hidden features in Windows XP (only) is the prefetcher. It, quite simply, works to
speed up the launch of applications by loading them before you access them. It primarily works
by loading startup programs during the time windows is still booting so that when you enter your
password, everything
loads quickly. It also keeps a record of all programs launched and how much they are used to aid
in allocating how much prefetching to which program.
When a Windows XP system is booted, data is saved about all logical disk read operations. On
later boots, this information is used to prefetch these files in parallel with other boot operations.
During boot and application launch, a Windows system demands and pages a sizable amount of
data in small chunks (4 KB to 64 KB), seeking between files, directories, and metadata. The
Logical Prefetcher, which is new for Windows XP, brings much of this data into the system cache
with efficient asynchronous disk I/Os that minimize seeks. During boot, the Logical Prefetcher
finishes most of the disk I/Os that need to be done for starting the system in parallel to device
initialization delays, providing faster boot and logon performance
Prefetching is a process in which the operating system loads key pieces of data and code from
disk into memory before it's actually needed. A general look at how prefetching works.
In order for this Prefetching operation to actually improve performance, the Windows XP Cache
Manager monitors the data being moved between the disk and RAM and between RAM and
virtual memory when the system is booting up as well as when various applications are loaded.
As the Cache Manager monitors these occurrences, it constructs maps of the directories and all of
the files that were referenced for each application or process. These maps are then saved to files
with a .pf extension in the \Windows\Prefetch folder.
Once these map files have been created, the Cache Manager will use them to improve efficiency
when the system boots up as well as when loading applications. More specifically, the Cache
Manager will intercept every process or application that is about to be loaded and will check
the \Windows\Prefetch folder to see if there is a corresponding map. If there is, the Cache
Manager will call on the file system to immediately access the directory and files referenced in the
map. The Cache Manager will then alert the Memory Manager and tell it to use the information in
the map file to load data and code into memory. Once this prefetch operation is complete, the
Cache Manager will allow the application or process to continue loading. As the application or
process does so, it will find the majority of the files and data that it needs already available in
memory, thus reducing the amount of disk access and allowing the application or process to load
or respond faster.
In order to further improve the efficiency of this prefetching operation, Windows XP will
regularly analyze the contents of the map files, compile a list of the directories and files, organize
them in the order in which they are loaded, and save this information in a file called Layout.ini in
the \Windows\Prefetch folder. It will then schedule disk defragmenter to run on a regular basis and
use the information in the Layout.ini file to relocate all of the directories and files listed to a
contiguous area of the disk.
The prefetcher works to take all the loading to the windows boot logo stage to make everything
else that requires your interaction faster.
The prefetcher has a file for each program that you run that, in part, it records the amount of use.
Logically, programs that are loaded often are prefetched more than programs that are not.
The prefetch files are located in %windir%\prefetch. That's C:\windows\prefetch for those who
don't know. If you opened it now you would see a whole bunch of .pf files and one layout.ini file.
All the .pf files are individual records of each program. The layout.ini file is a consolidation of all
those programs and what they typically access, in order of priority.
The prefetcher requires scheduled tasks to work. If you have the service disabled or off, the
prefetcher will not function.
Click on "Edit" on the top toolbar, select "Select All", and then delete everything except the
layout.ini File. If you do, Then open up your recycle bin. Find the layout.ini file. Then
restore it to place it back into the prefetch folder.
NOT E: After deleting everything in your Prefetch File. XP will startup slower the
first couple of times as it searches for, and finds your required and allowed startup
files and programs. As to start rebuilding the Prefetch List.