What is the Prefetch folder for?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ken L.
  • Start date Start date
K

Ken L.

I'm wondering what the prefetch folder in Windows is for. I have a
program that came from my DSL provider (Verizon) that runs when the
computer boots. The program fails each time. The tech support
in-duh-vidual (to borrow from Dilbert) was no help at all. I removed the
Verizon component from Startup but this thing still runs. I'm wondering
if the Prefech entry can be removed to stop this. It's only a program
to get updates for Verizon. It never works anyway, so I don't need it
to run but I can't figure out how to stop it running when the computer
starts up. My DSL is fine. It clearly doesn't need this program to
run. Thanks.

Ken
 
If you want to dig deeper:
Try Autoruns from the MS Windows SysInternals site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Autoruns.mspx

AutoRuns will show/list all apps/etc. that load/run when you first boot
(Boot Execute tab),
when you logon (Logon tab) and other programs that load (grouped by labeled
tabs) for easy viewing.

It also provides the ability to selectively allows you to stop (use with
care) any program that you don't want to load. You can undo any changes you
have made.

Note: To get additional details on an item in the list you may need to
highlight the item (right click) and use the 'Search Online' option to get
the details, especially useful for the more obscure items in the list.

JS
 
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