Windows Superfetch : Is it advisable to disable Windows Superfetch ?

 What is Windows Superfetch ?

    Superfetch is a feature in Microsoft Windows operating systems that is designed to improve system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. Superfetch works by analyzing the user's behavior and loading the most commonly used applications into memory before they are needed. This can reduce the time it takes for applications to load and improve overall system performance.

    Superfetch was first introduced in Windows Vista and has been included in all subsequent versions of Windows, including Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Superfetch runs as a background service and continuously monitors the system to determine which applications are being used most frequently.

    Superfetch uses a combination of memory compression and preloading techniques to improve application load times. When an application is launched, Superfetch checks if it has already been preloaded into memory. If it has not, Superfetch loads the application into memory and compresses the data to save space. This makes it faster to access the data when the application is launched.

    Superfetch also takes advantage of idle system resources to pre load frequently used applications into memory. This helps to ensure that the system is always ready to respond quickly when an application is launched. Overall, Superfetch is a useful feature that can help to improve system performance and reduce application load times. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to disable Superfetch if it is causing performance issues or interfering with other system processes.

 

Why Windows Superfetch consuming so much System Memory ?

    Superfetch is designed to consume available memory on your Windows system to improve system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory. When the system is running low on free memory, Superfetch will release some of the memory it is using to ensure that other applications can run smoothly.

    However, if your system has limited physical memory or if you are running many memory-intensive applications at the same time, Superfetch may start to consume more memory than necessary. In some cases, this can lead to performance issues, such as slow application response times, excessive disk activity, and system freezes.

Is it advisable to disable Windows Superfetch ?

    Disabling Superfetch is not always advisable, as it can negatively impact system performance and slow down the loading of frequently used applications. Superfetch is designed to improve system performance by preloading frequently used applications into memory, which can reduce application load times and improve overall system responsiveness.

    However, in some cases, disabling Superfetch can help to improve system performance, particularly on systems with limited physical memory or on systems that are running many memory-intensive applications at the same time. Disabling Superfetch may also be necessary if it is causing performance issues or interfering with other system processes.

    If you are experiencing performance issues and are considering disabling Superfetch, it is important to first determine if Superfetch is actually causing the issue. You can do this by monitoring system performance using tools such as Task Manager or Resource Monitor to see if Superfetch is consuming an excessive amount of memory or CPU resources. If you find that Superfetch is causing performance issues, you may want to consider disabling it temporarily to see if this improves system performance.

    However, before disabling Superfetch, it is important to note that it may take longer for frequently used applications to load after Superfetch is disabled. You may also need to manually manage memory usage and monitor system performance more closely to ensure that other applications are not impacted by the lack of available memory.

Different way to disable Windows Superfetch

    There are a few different ways to disable Windows Superfetch, depending on your version of Windows and your preferences. Here are a few different methods you can try:

1.    Disable Superfetch using the Services console:

·         Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

·         Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services console.

·         Scroll down to the "Superfetch" service and double-click on it to open its Properties.

·         Change the Startup type to "Disabled".

·         Click the "Stop" button to stop the Superfetch service if it is currently running.

·         Click OK to save your changes.

 

2.    Disable Superfetch using the Command Prompt:

·         Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".

·         Type the command "net.exe stop superfetch" and press Enter to stop the Superfetch service.

·         Type the command "sc config sysmain start=disabled" and press Enter to disable Superfetch.

·         Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

 

3.    Disable Superfetch using the Registry Editor:

·         Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

·         Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

·         Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters.

·         Double-click on the "EnableSuperfetch" value to open its Properties.

·         Change the value data to "0" to disable Superfetch.

·         Click OK to save your changes.

·         Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

    Note that disabling Superfetch can have an impact on system performance, and it is generally only recommended if you are experiencing issues related to Superfetch or if you have a specific reason to disable it. Before disabling Superfetch, you may want to monitor system performance using tools like Task Manager to see if it is consuming an excessive amount of memory or CPU resources.