Disposition of Temporary Atachment Files

[Dennis Marks]

This question came up on a web site. Someone opened an excel attachment
in a Yahoo email. I assume when that is done a temporary file is
created. The person spent hours editing the file and then saved it. It
obviously returned to the temporary file. Where do temporary files go?
Are they deleted immediately when closed? How long are they kept?

--
Dennis M. Marks

Disclaimer: The above is my opinion. I do not guarantee it. Be sure to
back up any files involved and use at your own risk. Batteries not
included. Not for internal use. Don't run with knives.

 

[Malke]

This question came up on a web site. Someone opened an excel attachment
in a Yahoo email. I assume when that is done a temporary file is
created. The person spent hours editing the file and then saved it. It
obviously returned to the temporary file. Where do temporary files go?
Are they deleted immediately when closed? How long are they kept?

It is probably in their Temporary Internet Files. The person should
enable seeing hidden files (see below) and look in C:\Documents and
Settings\person's-account-name\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files.

Seeing all hidden files in XP: Make sure you are able to see all hidden
files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). In XP, there are four
checkboxes to deal with:

a. Check "Display the contents of system folders".
b. Check "Show hidden files and folders".
c. Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".
d. Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and click "OK" to the
dialog box.

It depends on how the person's Internet Options are set up how often the
Temporary Internet Files get deleted. I have my machines set to delete
them when the browser closes. I've had client machines in here where the
TIFs were never deleted and there are hundreds of thousands of them.
YMMV. When they are deleted, they "go" where all deleted files go -
still on the hard drive where they can sometimes be retrieved by using
special data recovery software.


Malke