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Clear prefetch folder

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script deletes the contents of %SYSTEMROOT%\Prefetch\*, typically pointing to C:\Windows\Prefetch\ 1 2.

What is Prefetch?

Introduced in Windows XP 2, Prefetch was developed by Windows to expedite application startup 1 and the boot process 1 2. It works by preemptively loading data and code pages into memory from the disk before requests 2, monitoring application's startup page faults 2, and storing the gathered data in the Prefetch directory 2.

Why Clear the Prefetch Directory?

Over time, many files accumulate in the Prefetch directory. Clearing this directory enhances privacy and potentially frees disk space by removing traces of recently used applications and files in the system, making unauthorized tracking of application usage more difficult. Despite its design for improving application startup times 1, Prefetch can inadvertently expose information about the applications and files accessed on the system 1. Clearing the Prefetch directory addresses this issue by eliminating these traces.

Microsoft suggests deleting the Prefetch directory and its contents if significant system configuration changes occur, like adjustments to drivers, services, or applications that start automatically 3. This action eradicates any outdated prefetched data 3, ensuring that the system operates with the most up-to-date and relevant data for application startups 3.

The files in the Prefetch directory are used for forensic purposes 4 5, adding to the privacy concerns. They reveal information about application usage, including data layout 4, access history on disk 4, last execution time 5, and the total number of times an application has been run 5. Additionally, they contain historical process information such as loaded libraries and process dependencies 6. Erasing these files mitigates the risk of this information being used for unauthorized tracking or analysis, improving your privacy.

Trade-Off

Clearing the Prefetch might cause a minor delay in application startup times until the necessary data is regenerated as applications are used again 2. This is a compromise for heightened privacy and potentially freed disk space.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details
  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories

This action belongs to Clear temporary Windows files category. This category covers removal of temporary Windows files. It is recommended to clean these files as they can be used for unauthorized analysis of user behavior and system usage. They may also potentially host malicious software. Eliminating these files significantly enhances the security and... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Clear prefetch folder.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Reversible

This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt


Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Clear directory contents  : "%SYSTEMROOT%\Prefetch"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%SYSTEMROOT%\Prefetch'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

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