Have you ever noticed a folder named Prefetch in your Windows system directory? It contains files created by Windows to help applications start faster. While these files are useful for improving startup performance, there may be situations where clearing them is necessary for troubleshooting or routine system maintenance. This guide explains what Prefetch files are, whether they are safe to delete, and how to remove them using File Explorer, Command Prompt, or Wise Disk Cleaner.
What Are Prefetch Files
Every time you boot your computer or launch an application, Windows quietly logs the files and drivers involved in that process. It stores this information in small .pf files inside C:\Windows\Prefetch. On subsequent launches, Windows consults these logs to load the necessary data more efficiently, theoretically reducing boot times and application launch delays. The folder is essentially a self-optimizing cache managed entirely by the operating system.
Can I Delete Prefetch Files
Yes. Prefetch files can be deleted manually without damaging Windows or uninstalling applications. Windows will recreate the necessary Prefetch data as programs are launched again. However, deleting these files does not necessarily improve computer performance. Applications may take slightly longer to launch the first time after their Prefetch data is removed because Windows needs to rebuild it. If you have a specific reason to clear it—such as troubleshooting a corrupted cache—the methods below will get the job done.
Method 1: Delete Prefetch Files Using File Explorer
File Explorer allows you to access the Prefetch folder directly and manually remove its contents without using additional software.
Step 1. Open File Explorer
Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Step 2. Locate the Prefetch Folder
Enter the following path in the File Explorer address bar and press Enter:
C:\Windows\Prefetch
If prompted for administrator permission, click Continue to access the folder.
Step 3. Delete Prefetch Files
Press Ctrl + A to select all files in the folder, then press Delete on the keyboard.
Method 2: Delete Prefetch Files Using Command Prompt
Command Prompt provides a quick way to remove Prefetch files by executing a single command with administrator privileges.
Step 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press Win + S, type CMD, and select Run as administrator from the search results. Click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears.
Step 2. Enter the Delete Command
To delete all Prefetch files, execute the following command and press Enter:
del C:\Windows\prefetch\*.*/s/q
Method 3: Delete Prefetch Files Using Wise Disk Cleaner
If you prefer a graphical interface that automates the cleanup process, a third-party tool like Wise Disk Cleaner offers a convenient way to target old Prefetch data without manually digging through system folders.
Step 1. Download and Install Wise Disk Cleaner
Visit the Wise Disk Cleaner official website to download and install the program.
Step 2. Open Common Cleaner
Launch Wise Disk Cleaner and select the Common Cleaner tab.
Step 3. Select Old Prefetch Data
Under Windows System, locate and check the Old Prefetch Data option.
Step 4. Scan for Prefetch Files
Click the Scan button and wait for Wise Disk Cleaner to detect the old Prefetch data.
Step 5. Clean the Selected Files
After the scan finishes, review the detected items and click the Clean button to remove the selected files. Besides Prefetch data, Wise Disk Cleaner can also clean other unnecessary Windows files, including system log files, thumbnail cache, icon cache, and temporary files.
Conclusion
Prefetch files help Windows improve application startup performance, so they don't need to be deleted regularly. However, if troubleshooting startup issues or performing system maintenance, the methods above provide several ways to clear old Prefetch data.
