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With so many applications and programs at work on our computers, it can be hard to tell when one might be causing problems behind the scenes. This is especially true if the program in question is one that is typically very useful, or at the very least runs without drawing attention to itself.
An example of one of these programs is Superfetch, which is a program that typically runs on computers that make use of Windows. Most often, it runs in the background to make things a little more efficient but there can be some cases when it hurts more than it helps.
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What is Superfetch?
If you’re a Windows user, you may find that Superfetch is simply listed as a program that is made to improve the efficiency of your system over time. This is a pretty vague concept that only hints at what the program actually does.
Realistically, Superfetch is a program that is used for analysis. It keeps track of the other applications and programs that you tend to use more regularly. When it picks up on which applications are used most often, Superfetch will then make sure that your RAM is preloaded with those apps before they need to be used. The end goal is to make those programs just a little bit quicker to load up when you’re ready to use them.
How Does Superfetch Work?
Essentially, Superfetch watches what you do on your computer and how your available RAM is being used. When it preloads certain programs, it is designed to make use of all of the space your computer has available. This may sound like the setup to potential problems already.
However, it’s also designed to give up the space it is using when you need a program that isn’t already using that available RAM. That way, you won’t need to worry about the RAM being all clogged up when you need to use it for your own purposes. On paper, it isn’t a bad program to have around.
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Is Superfetch a Necessary Program?
Superfetch can often be quite a helpful program, and in many cases you’re unlikely to even notice that it’s there. That said, it’s not a program that you absolutely have to make use of to avoid problems using your computer.
For those who are experiencing issues with Superfetch running on their computer, disabling it is a perfectly valid option and you’re unlikely to notice any negative effects after doing so. It’s just a matter of making sure you do it correctly so that you can get those problems resolved.
What Kinds of Issues Can Superfetch Have?
When users have a more limited amount of RAM, there can be a problem with too much RAM being used due to the combination of user activity and Superfetch. Normally, computers have enough RAM to avoid these problems, but models with something like 4GB of RAM can have some issues.
These problems can be especially prevalent when there is a game open that tends to use up more RAM than other programs. What can happen is the game continues to request more or less RAM, and Superfetch responds accordingly. Due to all the changes, it creates a lot of work for Superfetch and therefore more problems while running the game.
Disabling Superfetch
Disabling Superfetch isn’t an extremely difficult process. It’s just a matter of making sure that you’ve gotten the job done completely. That way, you don’t end up having to continue to deal with issues under the assumption that Superfetch has been handled when it’s still working with RAM in the background.
Registry Editor
By changing up the registry key, you can disable Superfetch. This isn’t always the first choice for users to go to, but it can work fantastically. It’s also a great option if you need a backup to disabling the program from the services app.
You’ll need to start by getting the registry editor running. You can do this by simply searching for regedit in your Windows search bar. Generally, this search bar opens up when you hit the Windows button on your keyboard.
After that, you’ll need to locate the key that corresponds to Superfetch. The key you’re looking for should be labeled as “enablesuperfetch”. All you’ll need to do from here is right click on that key, and follow that up by selecting “modify.” In the modify box, set the value to 0, and then select okay. This should ensure that Superfetch is disabled.
Services App
An option that might be easier for most users is to disable Superfetch using the services app. In your Start menu, you can simply search for services or services.msc. This will get the services tab opened, and you’ll be able to take a closer look at the services going on in your computer.
From this point, all you’ll need to do is locate the Superfetch service in the list. It’s likely that the services will be listed in alphabetical order, making it easier to locate the one you need. Then, once you’ve found Superfetch, you can simply right click on it and then choose the option to stop the service.
Before you leave the page, you’ll also want to make sure Superfetch won’t start again by itself. You can do this through the properties menu that you’ll see when you right click on the service. Where you see “startup type” all you need to do is change the setting to “disabled.”
Conclusion
While programs like Superfetch can seem complicated, they really aren’t too difficult to disable when you need to. Don’t be too intimidated if you find that something on your computer is using a lot of RAM space without your lead. Typically, it’s just a program like this that you can disable in order to solve the problem.
If you notice RAM issues on your PC, make sure to take a look into Superfetch to find out if it is the source of the problem. For those who are unsure how, it can’t hurt to contact Windows customer service as well for some tips on navigating your system.
