Below are some links with information on the certificate cache folder “CryptnetUrlCache” as well as an excerpt from a forum that describes it in simpler language. Basically a certificate entry gets created in this folder for any Click Once deployed application as well as website SSL certificates and certificate signed applications installed over the Internet. During the startup of a Click Once application, the certificate is checked to see if it has been revoked. If the certificate is good, the application starts. If a certificate is not found, the application will attempt to connect to the Internet to retrieve the application’s certificate status. If there is no Internet connection, the operating system will assume the certificate is good and the application starts until such time that an Internet connection becomes available so that it can check the CRL lists.

Certificate Revocation List (CRL) - Client's Cache - Ohad's Blog:
http://weblogs.asp.net/israelio/arch...14/394513.aspx

Summary of changes to the CryptoAPI certificate chain validation logic in
Windows XP Service Pack 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887196

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\Content

and

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache\MetaData

I delete the files in the sub-folders of the CryptnetUrlCache: Content and MetaData.

I find the files in Content and MetaData, the sub-folders of the CryptnetUrlCache folder, really interesting.

The very first time I deleted all the files within these two folders, it really blew my mind...

I looked in some of the files in these folders using Notepad, and it looked like a record of URL History of some kind.
By the name of the folder, "CryptnetUrlCache," I figured they must logically be cache-type files.

I deleted all the files within these two folders. Then I cleaned up my system as usual with my Temp File Cleaners. Rebooted, and defragged. Zowie! My browser windows started opening up so much faster it was simply unbelievable.

So, I asked my friend, 2McAbre, about them...

Per 2McAbre:

Those folders are where XP stores a "verified and certified" websites security certificates for such things like SSL (Secure Socket Layers) logins for if you are paying a bill, or shopping at Amazon.com.

If you want to empty these folders (with msie open) "Click on Tools", select "Internet Options" then click on the "Content" tab.

In the center area where it says "Certificates"… Just click on the Clear SSL button to empty these folders of any temporary certificates.

P.S. The reason it it seems to slow IE down is because XP sort of validates each certificate and sort of "Checks" to make sure they are still valid. So its a good idea to empty the SSL cache every once and awhile.

I took it one step further...

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates button > Intermediate Certification Authorities tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates button > Trusted Root Certification tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates button > Untrusted Publishers tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Same here...

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Publishers button > Trusted Root Certification tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Tools > Internet Options > Content > Publishers button > Untrusted Publishers tab > Highlight an entry > Click on Remove.

Per 2McAbre:

Yes you can highlight and remove all the others too if you "Really want too. Those are things like when you get the security window when you install windows update site stuff? Where you can check the box that will always "trust" Microsoft?

If you have ever checked one of those boxes there will be a "trust" certificate in one of these areas. Also trusted sites are kept recorded in one of these areas as well as "sites you don't want anything to do with".

Probing deeper, figured out all this has to do with Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Scroll down to Security section >
"Check for server certificate revocation (requires restart)"

Specifies whether you want Internet Explorer to check an Internet's site certificate to see if it has been revoked before accepting it as valid.

I chose to UNCHECK that particular option.

As it turned out, it doesn't hurt to clear all that out. Because I did, and then I went directly to Windows Update...and what do you suppose happened? The entries needed for Windows Update were recreated.

Finally, I have found what was causing the perfomance hit and it seems it has nothing to do with PersistenceManager...

%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\User Account\Application Data\Microsoft\CryptnetUrlCache

The absence of this folder and its contents is causing a long time delay in my application. I still don't khow why this folder gets created (and recreated if deleted) on some computers/profiles and does not on the others, but now I can overcome the problem with just copying this folder from other pc.

kimj, I have tried to create the PersistenceManager as you suggested:

So far I'm very puzzled...

PersistenceManager pm = new PersistenceManager(false);

No, I used ClickOnce deployment. Here is some code...