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Temp vs. Temporary Internet

17 years ago

Hi,

There is so much stuff in the Temp Folder can I safely delete those items? Not the folders in Temp just all the other things. Using IE 7 MS XP Thanks.

Sapphires

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Comments (6)

bpgreen
17 years ago
Not always.

C:\Temp and C:\Windows\Temp are often used for temporary files used by programs that are running. C:\Temp is a holdover from DOS/Win 3.x days and it's unlikely to find a program still using this folder.

"Well behaved programs" clean up after themselves and delete their temporary files from the temporary directory. If a program crashes (even a well behaved one) it will leave files in the temp directory. Some programs are like those coworkers who use the microwave and don't wipe it out afterward--they don't bother cleaning up after themselves.

At any rate, you end up with a mixture of abandoned files in the temp directory. You can usually delete any that are from before your last reboot, but you can't just delete everything, because some of the files may still be in use, even if they aren't currently open and stopping you from deleting them. Deleting a file that is still needed by a program would be unfortunate.
TxKen
17 years ago
Sapphires...
You should not have any problems cleaning out files and folders from temporary directories.
Reboot and let the computer fully restart, and then delete the files/folders.
If some will not delete, you should research them and find out what they are doing residing in the temp folder.
Remember...do NOT delete the Temp folder itself...just everything within, including folders.
Hope this helps..
txKen
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zep516
17 years ago
Have you simply tried a disk clean up with-in windows.

Start>Programs>Accessories>SystenTools>Disk cleanup.
DA_Mccoy
17 years ago
CCleaner would do a fine job of cleaning your system. Just use it with the default settings only. It is better than the Windows Disk Cleanup utility.

Also, there can be times when temp files will not be deleted when the creating application is enabled and active. If you have problems removing a file be sure the pertinent application is disabled and try again.

DA
sapphires
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi,
I am really confused now. I know when I had W98 I always just emptied the temp and temp internet with no problem. XP is new to me and don't want to mess things up, this computer was given to me used and I am still trying to clean it up to my satisfaction. Some of the things in the "temp" are;

nus99.tmp
~A6.tmp
lots of sqlite things one of which is sqlite_5t83Rhejv68vpMy
many more with different letter/number endings
jre_install
SPL81.tmp five different ones with diff numbers
D653F3EC.TMP
~GLFD0D.TMP

I tried googling and some weren't found and the others, well makes no sense to me. Alot of files in the temp folder say text files

Folder _isA5 is empty Folder brwsrlogs has ib_log_1 and ib_log_2 don't know what there

Anyway any continued help would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Sapphires
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
there is what is called the 48 hr rule you do not delete any that are less than 48 hrs because they could be essential, even cccleaner observes the 48 hr rule.
There is a guide for cccleaner
Guide

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