C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp - files??

[Dennis_S]

I have amost 400MB of files and folders in my C:\Documents and
Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp folder.

Do I need keep any of these files and folders?

Thanks.

 

[Tom Willett]

No.
:I have amost 400MB of files and folders in my C:\Documents and
: Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp folder.
:
: Do I need keep any of these files and folders?
:
: Thanks.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have amost 400MB of files and folders in my C:\Documents and
Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp folder.

Do I need keep any of these files and folders?

No, they can, and should be, deleted periodically.

The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create
temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should
delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons
it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it
never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically
clean out anything left there.

Also note that there are some program installations which work in two
steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and
rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and
needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's
done).

Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere
with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to
delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete
any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and
since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to)
delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open,
they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them
closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually.

Some people may suggest that you reboot before deleting anything, but
that's not necessary, for the reason described above (on the other
hand, it doesn't hurt to do it).

 

[Tim Meddick]

You can use the "drive-clean-up" utility, when run, this built-in XP
program automates :

* Deletion of The TEMP folder.
* Deletion of Temporary Internet Files
* Clearing Download Program Files Folder
* Deleting Offline Web Pages
* Deletion of MS Office Temp Files
* Deletion of Office Setup Files
* Emptying of the Recycle Bin
* Deletion of Setup Log Files
* Deletion of Web Client / Publisher Temp Files
* Compress Old Files

To start this utility, type the following into the "Run" box on the Start
Menu :

cleanmgr.exe c:

....or replace [c:] with the drive you want to claim back some disk-space
on.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Dennis_S]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ken, very nice detailed explanation.

Dennis

 

[Leonard Grey]

Without having any clue about what those files are, I would be hesitant
to make a recommendation.

It's tempting to say "they're just temporary files...get rid of them."
But the truth is: You should never get rid of files without a reason.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ken, very nice detailed explanation.

You're welcome, and thanks for the kind words.