SuperFetch
SuperFetch is a technology new in Windows Vista and Windows 7. SuperFetch manages your computer’s RAM (random access memory) to allow it to run more efficiently. SuperFetch decreases boot time and controls applications to run faster and more efficiently.
When you start your computer OS files need to be loaded in a certain order. SuperFetch records that order and makes a file with it. SuperFetch then works with Disk Defragmenter to get the boot files in the correct order on the hard drive. The boot files which are put in order can be seen in the prefetch folder at layout.ini.
SuperFetch will load the files you use frequently into your RAM. SuperFetch also keeps track of when you load files so it can load files from your routine at morning or afternoon. This will let your everyday applications load quickly and you computer startup in less time.
If you open task manager and look at the memory you will notice there is a cached section. When the cache is filled with SuperFetch files it is still usable; if an application needs that memory it will use it. The SuperFetch loaded into memory is on a low priority. The more RAM you have, the bigger benefit you will receive from SuperFetch. You can disable SuperFetch despite all it’s positive benefits; you just have to go to task manager services tab and disable the service.
In the past the amount of RAM you had impacted the applications you could run; now your RAM impacts applications you could run and your boot time. SuperFetch might decrease your performance if it was running at a computer lab; for example. If different applications are loaded each time a computer is used SuperFetch will make the computer slower. SuperFetch is not account-specific, so no matter which account you use on the computer it does the same stuff. If you have a very low amount of RAM (below 2 GB) you might also consider disabling SuperFetch, as you simple don’t have enough RAM to cache. One way Windows 7 decreases start times is loading the SuperFetch only after the desktop is loaded.
