Windows XP - Rebuilding the Layout.ini File

Windows XP : Rebuilding the Layout.ini File

A How-to on rebuilding the Layout.ini file in Windows XP.
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*N.B./Disclaimer - This video shows one of possibly many ways, under one computer's configuration, to implement the desired effect. If you choose to follow this example, you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK.*
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* Requires Administrator Privileges *

The "Layout.ini" file is a stored list of system programs and files accessed during boot. It, also, contains a list of the most commonly used programs. This allows Windows and Applications to start more quickly. Sometimes, When a Service Pack is installed the layout.ini file fails to rebuild. Even under normal operation the layout.ini file can take up to 72 hours to rebuild. This will impact performance. I like to make sure the layout.ini has been rebuilt before applying any other Service Packs or Updates and I don't want to wait for the OS to do it. The layout.ini file is located in the "C:\Windows\Prefetch" folder.
(right-click) Start Button - Explore - "C:\Windows\Prefetch\layout.ini".
To manually rebuild it: (click) the Start Button - Run - type-in the following command, "Rundll32.exe Advapi32.dll, ProcessIdleTasks" - OK. Check the "C:\Windows\Prefetch" folder and make sure the file has been rebuilt.
An alternative command is:
"%windir%\system32\Rundll32.exe Advapi32.dll, ProcessIdleTasks".
It is possible to manually defrag the prefetch files. (click) the Start Button -
Run - type-in the following command, "Defrag %systemdrive% -b" - OK.
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The entire Article can be found here:

https://www.tkcomputerservice.com/windows-xp-rebuild-layout-ini.htm