A function in Windows Vista that preloads files from the hard disk into memory in anticipation of the user's requirements. See ReadyBoost.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- One Month with Windows Vista
- One Month with Windows VistaSuperFetch, that is."SuperFetch monitors which applications you use the most and preloads these into your system memory so they'll be ready when you need them."http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/05/windows-vista-superfetch-readyboost-analyzed/http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/Going+Deep/The-Advancement-of-Windows-Michael-Fortin-Windows-Vista-SuperFetch/Windows XP has PreFetch the precursor.Doesn't Vista allow the user to distinguish between the two?Using RAM as cache is a very old...
- Discussion threads 2008-09-23
- Windows 7 must avoid the marketing trap that Vista stumbled into
- Windows 7 must avoid the marketing trap that Vista stumbled intoI agree "One OS to unite them all""One price to keep all happy" In the end it's just a marketing ploy different versions each with their own "missing" pieces. In many ways it looks like double dipping...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-28
- You've got Vista x64 questions, I've got answers
- You've got Vista x64 questions, I've got answers64-bit ram usageI'm curious what kind of ram usage you see after having the OS running for awhile. I've personally tested similar results, with 32-bit using a little less then 900mb on a fresh startup and 64-bit using a few megabytes over 1...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-04
- The myth of Windows "Workstation" 2008
- The myth of Windows "Workstation" 2008If you want a better Windows experience...switch to Linux/KDE. Sorry I just couldn't resist. I don't really believe that. I do believe if you want a better Windows experience run XP or even W2k. No matter how much I experience Vista it...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-16
- Understand how SuperFetch uses RAM to enhance system performance
- Despite how it may appear at first glance, when Microsoft Windows Vista reports very little free memory available it is actually a good thing. That is merely the Vista performance improvement applet SuperFetch at work. In this Windows Vista Report, Greg Shultz explains how SuperFetch worlks and what it is...
- Download resources 2008-07-09
- Windows Embedded 'Quebec' due in 2010
- Although it hasn't said much about its plans for a Vista-based successor to its Windows XP-based embedded operating system, Microsoft already is working on one. Microsoft released during the first week of June a new test build of its latest Windows XP-based embedded operating system, known as...
- Blog posts 2008-06-06
- How to disable a service for good (Taming and Tweaking Windows Vista Services)
- How to disable a service for good Taming and Tweaking Windows Vista ServicesDamnit ed....Stop telling people to disable superfetch. Disabling superfetch reduces system performance overall, having it enabled also significantly reduces neccessary disk defragmentation, which saves you gobs of time.Where did I say to disable Superfetch?I show this as an...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-20
- Fixing Windows Vista, Part 4: Get smart about services
- Fixing Windows Vista, Part 4: Get smart about servicesHave you benchmarked the performance differences ...... that you see when you disable Superfetch, Windows Defender and Windows Search? Last time I benchmarked a system with and without Windows Defender I saw no difference (outside of statistical 'noise').I'm not saying that...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-19
- Fixing Windows Vista, Part 4: Get smart about services
- In the three previous installments of this series, I discussed ways to improve the performance of Windows Vista by changing some settings especially those installed by an OEM PC maker. If you need to catch up, go read Part 1 the pros and cons of a clean install, Part 2...
- Blog posts 2008-05-19
- Another take on Vista vs. XP benchmarks
- As anyone who's ever worked in a PC performance lab knows, the #1 rule of benchmarking is: Your mileage may vary. I remembered that rule when I read my colleague Adrian Kingsley-Hughes' epic account of his benchmark tests of Windows Vista SP1 versus Windows XP SP2 (Part...
- Blog posts 2008-02-19
- A Vista SP1 FAQ
- I've been working with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 for several months now, in beta releases and, for the last two weeks, in the final released code. I've put together this post to answer some questions I'm frequently asked about this long-awaited update. If you have a question that isn't...
- Blog posts 2008-02-09
- Windows Vista SP1
- A little more than one year after its release, Windows Vista will receive its first service pack update in March. Microsoft says the pack will offer better compatibility with third-party hardware, increased reliability, tighter security, and better performance. But unlike the last Windows Service Pack release, Windows XP SP2--which offered...
- Product reviews 2008-02-07
- ReadyBoost - Does anyone use it?
- ReadyBoost - Does anyone use it?ReadyBoost should not be a function used dailyIf you do use it daily, or even more than once a month, then get some real memory. ReadyBoost should be used only for those rare times when you need a speedy system while using a high memory...
- Discussion threads 2007-12-03
- Dissecting Microsoft's "100 Reasons You'll Be Speechless"
- The other day a list of "100 Reasons You'll Be Speechless" when you use Windows Vista (I guess Microsoft aren't hearing the "Wows!" and assuming that we're all speechless instead) hit the media (I'm pretty sure this isn't a new list ...). I was going to write a piece...
- Blog posts 2007-10-24
- My 7-step Windows Vista reliability action plan
- My 7-step Windows Vista reliability action planA bit over the topYour article implies that you have to go to extraodinary lengths to run Vista reliably. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While many of your steps are valid ways to improve the experience you are setting a...
- Discussion threads 2007-08-21
- Size matters in Samsung's latest hard drive offerings (includes video)
- Yesterday, I dropped down to Greenwich Village in NYC for a private gadgetfest that was put on by Samsung and it proved to be worth the trip. We captured video of a bunch of new products that the company has in the offing -- ones that span a variety...
- Blog posts 2007-07-12
- Vista Home Basic on 512MB? Hey, it works!
- Vista Home Basic on 512MB? Hey, it works!Well, this certainly hasn't match my experienceGranted, my first try with 512 MB RAM on Home Basic was 512 shared. But after I upgraded it to 1 GB shared (128 to the video card, 896 system) it wasn't any better. It took almost...
- Discussion threads 2007-05-09
- The final word on Vista startup times
- As I’ve pointed out in the previous two installments of this series, a properly configured, well-maintained Windows Vista installation should start up in a reasonable amount of time, in most cases taking roughly 10–15 seconds more than it takes to start Windows XP on the same hardware, and in some...
- Blog posts 2007-04-18
- Discover how Windows Vista manages system resources
- Take a full-color, visual tour inside the new Windows Vista operating system and see how all the pieces and parts work. With clear and simple explanations and illustrations, How Microsoft Windows Vista Works gives you detailed information on the hidden workings of Windows Vista -- from the new...
- Book chapters 2007-04-02
- I can't get enthusiastic about hybrid hard drives
- I can't get enthusiastic about hybrid hard drivesSome minor corrections.The drives in question will use SLC flash instead of MLC and therefore have a longer usefull life. The estimates of usefull life are the same as the devices used in ReadyBoost and should be about 10 years under normal...
- Discussion threads 2007-03-08
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- See how Intel Xeon processors provide data traffic optimization
-
With key platform innovations built-in, the Intel Xeon processor 7400 series offers more headroom, reliability, and the highest expandability for large-scale server consolidation.
- Watch the Flash demo to learn about the Intel® Xeon® processor 7400 series >>
- Printers
- 'Green' Font Cuts Costs and Saves Trees (BNET)
- Three Ways to Save Paper (BNET)
- CNET Reviews printer buying guide (CNET)
- View all printers-tagged content on ZDNet
- Plan B from Brother
- It's the smarter way to work in color Our professional color ink-jet all-in-ones give you more choices, more features, and more value. Make the Smarter Choice. Learn More »
