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Hello Windows experts, can deleting temp and prefetch files really improve PCs performance?

Anonymous
2023-02-25T18:16:48+00:00

I guess temp and prefetch files act as cache files which helps in loading certain apps faster. Then what is the point of deleting temp or prefetch files? What should we do every now and then for the PC to run smoothly?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. EmilyS726 227K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-02-25T18:53:14+00:00

    Hello there, this is Emily.

    It depends. Normally prefetch files are not huge files so it won't improve significantly. Temp files, if there's a lot and it takes up a lot of space, and that your space is tight, then yes, it can help. These are files that will be recreated and accumulate again over time. And you are right, the purpose of them is to help load apps faster. The whole point of deleting them is to free up some space. If you want your computer to run faster, deleting these files honestly won't get you any significant improvement in my opinion.

    I personally like to run the chkdsk c: /r command from time to time to make sure my file system is not all good and there's no bad sections on my drive..

    To make sure the PC run smoothly is a very vague and big concept.. if you have anything more specific you are looking for, feel free to share and I am happy to discuss further with you.

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