How To Repair the Windows Prefetch Folder

Cleaning out the Prefetch File by deleting everything:

DO NOT REMOVE OR DELETE THE ->(layout.ini)<- FILE WHICH RESIDES IN XP’S PREFETCH FOLDER OR YOU WILL SLOW DOWN YOUR PC AT START UP AND WHEN YOU OPEN WINDOWS PROGRAMS
Once it is gone it can stay gone on some PC’S forever and your Prefetch Folder will never work again no matter what you do in the registry to try to rectify the problem.

Repairing the Prefetch Folder:

If this has happened to your prefetch folder DON’T WORRY because here is how, in 5 easy steps how you can rebuild the -> (layout.ini) <- file again.

1): make sure that the task scheduler is enabled. If you are un-sure, go to-> Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/ Click on Services/ Then in the list of services make sure the Task Scheduler is enabled & restart the service by clicking on Start. Close the Services Folder & go back to desktop.

2): Then go to START/RUN/ and TYPE IN/->cmd<-(without the arrows) CLICK OK. This will bring up the DOS Command screen.

3): You will need to copy and paste this entry in at the flashing cursor
-> rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks <-(without the arrows) and press ENTER.

4): Now reboot three times and your Prefetch folder will be rebuilt. (It takes 3 reboots for the prefetch folder to work out what it needs)

5): Then go BACK to ->Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/ / Services/ Once again find TASK SHEDULER in the list and stop the service and then set it to disabled. This will stop any more entries going into your Prefetch folder.

If you need to leave your task scheduler enabled, (No Drama) you will just have to clean out your Prefetch folder manually from time to time. Just remember not to remove the layout.ini file.

Written by JSKY and may not be reproduced without the author's permission.