Fixing Prfscan.dat Issues - How to Download and Repair

Last Updated: 12/21/2023
[Average Article Time to Read: 4.7 minutes]

prfscan.dat uses the DAT file extension, which is more specifically known as a Game Data file. It is classified as a Dynamic Link Library (Game Data) file, created for McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) by McAfee, Inc..

prfscan.dat was first developed on 08/29/2019 for the Windows 10 Operating System in McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20). This is the most recent release date from McAfee, Inc., according to our records.

Please see below for more detailed information, DAT file troubleshooting instructions, and free downloads of different versions of prfscan.dat.

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File Overview


General Information
File Name: prfscan.dat
File Extension: DAT file extension
File Type: Dynamic Link Library
Description: Game Data
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Program: McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)
Developer: McAfee, Inc.
Software: McAfee Total Protection
Software Version: 2019 (16.0 R20)
File Details
File Size (Bytes): 730125
Oldest File Date: 01/13/2020
Latest File Date: 01/13/2020


What are prfscan.dat Error Messages?


Dynamic Link Library prfscan.dat Errors

prfscan.dat is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like prfscan.dat, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like Setup.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. McAfee Total Protection) could share the same prfscan.dat file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.

Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DAT file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when prfscan.dat is attempted to be loaded either when McAfee Total Protection is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common prfscan.dat errors include:

Your prfscan.dat file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with McAfee Total Protection), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, prfscan.dat file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading McAfee Total Protection, system crash while loading prfscan.dat, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix prfscan.dat Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your prfscan.dat issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the prfscan.dat error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed McAfee Total Protection (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling McAfee Total Protection software.

You can uninstall McAfee Total Protection software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Find the entry for McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) and click "Uninstall"
  5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall McAfee Total Protection software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

McAfee, Inc.

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many prfscan.dat error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the prfscan.dat error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your prfscan.dat File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate prfscan.dat file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free prfscan.dat files for every applicable version of McAfee Total Protection. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download prfscan.dat Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy this file to the appropriate McAfee Total Protection folder location:
    Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\AMContent\content\avengine\prf\236.0\
  4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve prfscan.dat problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download prfscan.dat Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying prfscan.dat to your appropriate Windows system directory. McAfee, Inc. typically does not release McAfee Total Protection DAT files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing prfscan.dat and all other DAT files for McAfee Total Protection. An incorrectly installed DAT file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10


Files Related to prfscan.dat


DAT Files Related to prfscan.dat

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
MCNormalizer.dat Event Normalizer DLL Anti-Malware Core (1.5.0) 178704 C:\Windows\System32\sru\
rtkntfs.dat NTFS Rootkit Scan Anti-Malware Core (1.5.0) 235472 C:\Windows\System32\sru\
tieshim.dat TIE Shim Interface Anti-Malware Core (1.5.0) 156000 C:\Windows\System32\sru\
Latest.dat Game Data McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 1 C:\Users\DefaultAppPool\AppData\Local\Microsoft...
tieshim.dat TIE Shim Interface Anti-Malware Core (18.10.0) 155424 C:\Windows\System32\sru\

Other Files Related to prfscan.dat

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
SA.DAT Game Data McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 6 C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\
diagwrn.xml Extensible Markup Language McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 93050 C:\Windows\Panther\NewOs\Panther\
diagerr.xml Extensible Markup Language McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 24420 C:\Windows\Panther\NewOs\Panther\
diagerr.xml Extensible Markup Language McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 44109 C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
ntuser.dat Game Data McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) 262144 C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\


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