# Analyzing Windows Prefetch With Python

Parse Windows Prefetch files using the windowsprefetch Python library to reconstruct...

- Repository: https://github.com/AgentFlocks/flocks (504 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add AgentFlocks/flocks --skill analyzing-windows-prefetch-with-python -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add AgentFlocks/flocks --skill analyzing-windows-prefetch-with-python -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add AgentFlocks/flocks --skill analyzing-windows-prefetch-with-python -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add AgentFlocks/flocks --skill analyzing-windows-prefetch-with-python -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Parse Windows Prefetch files using the windowsprefetch Python library to reconstruct application execution history, detect renamed or masquerading binaries, and identify suspicious program execution patterns.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Analyzing Windows Prefetch with Python

## Overview

Windows Prefetch files (.pf) record application execution data including executable names, run counts, timestamps, loaded DLLs, and accessed directories. This skill covers parsing Prefetch files using the windowsprefetch Python library to reconstruct execution timelines, detect renamed or masquerading binaries by comparing executable names with loaded resources, and identifying suspicious programs that may indicate malware execution or lateral movement.


## When to Use

- When investigating security incidents that require analyzing windows prefetch with python
- When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
- When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
- When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques

## Prerequisites

- Python 3.9+ with `windowsprefetch` library (pip install windowsprefetch)
- Windows Prefetch files from C:\Windows\Prefetch\ (versions 17-30 supported)
- Understanding of Windows Prefetch file naming conventions (EXECUTABLE-HASH.pf)

## Steps

### Step 1: Collect Prefetch Files
Gather .pf files from target system's C:\Windows\Prefetch\ directory.

### Step 2: Parse Execution History
Extract executable name, run count, last execution timestamps, and volume information.

### Step 3: Detect Suspicious Execution
Flag known attack tools (mimikatz, psexec, etc.), renamed binaries, and unusual execution patterns.

### Step 4: Build Execution Timeline
Reconstruct chronological execution timeline from all Prefetch files.

## Expected Output

JSON report with execution history, suspicious executables, renamed binary indicators, and timeline reconstruction.

## Example Output

```text
$ python3 prefetch_analyzer.py --dir /evidence/Windows/Prefetch --output /analysis/prefetch_report

The rest: https://github.com/AgentFlocks/flocks/blob/HEAD/.flocks/flockshub/plugins/skills/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills/analyzing-windows-prefetch-with-python/SKILL.md