- A
They provide evidence of file execution, including frequency and timestamps.
Prefetch files record execution details useful for forensic timeline.
- B
They store network connection logs.
Why wrong: Prefetch does not contain network logs.
- C
They store registry keys modified by the application.
Why wrong: Prefetch does not store registry modifications.
- D
They contain the contents of the running process memory.
Why wrong: Prefetch does not contain memory contents.
Question 952 of 1,000
200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of host-based analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
In Windows, prefetch files (C:\Windows\Prefetch\*.pf) are used by the system to speed up application loading. How can an analyst leverage prefetch files during host-based analysis?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
They provide evidence of file execution, including frequency and timestamps.
Prefetch files in Windows record metadata about application launches, including the executable path, run count, and last run timestamp. During host-based analysis, an analyst can examine these .pf files to determine which executables have been executed, how often, and when, providing crucial evidence of file execution activity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
They provide evidence of file execution, including frequency and timestamps.
Why this is correct
Prefetch files record execution details useful for forensic timeline.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
They store network connection logs.
Why it's wrong here
Prefetch does not contain network logs.
- ✗
They store registry keys modified by the application.
Why it's wrong here
Prefetch does not store registry modifications.
- ✗
They contain the contents of the running process memory.
Why it's wrong here
Prefetch does not contain memory contents.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the specific purpose of prefetch files versus other forensic artifacts, and the trap here is confusing prefetch files with memory dumps or registry logs, leading candidates to select options that describe unrelated Windows components.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Prefetch files are created by the Windows Task Scheduler's Prefetch component, which monitors application startup and stores data in a hash-named .pf file under C:\Windows\Prefetch. Each file contains the executable path, run count, last run time, and a list of files loaded during startup, enabling analysts to identify execution patterns and timeline reconstruction. In real-world investigations, prefetch files can reveal evidence of malware execution, even if the malware has been deleted, as the .pf file persists until the prefetch folder is cleared.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Host-Based Analysis — This question tests Host-Based Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: They provide evidence of file execution, including frequency and timestamps. — Prefetch files in Windows record metadata about application launches, including the executable path, run count, and last run timestamp. During host-based analysis, an analyst can examine these .pf files to determine which executables have been executed, how often, and when, providing crucial evidence of file execution activity.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.
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