What are PREFETCH Files?

[TEEBEE]

What are prefetch files?
Sould you delete them?
One school of thought is they should only de removed after a defrag: True or False?
If they are deleted, what is best method?

[Speedy Gonzales]

Theyre in c: / windows/prefetch folder. I think they're meant to make programs run faster. If u want to delete them go to the above folder.

No harm in deleting them, they'll be there again when u run whatever program. No, u can delete them whenever u want.

You dont have to defrag the hdd before u delete these files.

[Renmoo]

Prefetch files are meant to make programs run faster, as Speedy mentioned. Too much of prefetch files in Prefetch folder will make your computer's performance degrade, however. Try right-clicking the shortcut to WMP10 and view the properties, you will noticed there is "/prefetch:1" added behind it. You can search for more information on prefetch at tweakxp (http://www.tweakxp.com)

Cheers :)