Emptying Temporary Internet Folder Cache in Windows XP

[Guest]

One question I have is that when you empty/clear your temporary internet
folders do you loose all of your system restore points as this has happened
to me in the past. If so, how do you avoid loosing all your system restore
points in case you have virus/malware on your system if you keep emptying the
cache?

 

[Ted Zieglar]

The Temporary Internet Files - otherwise known as TIF or your browser's
'cache' - is the place where Internet Explorer stores bits and pieces of web
pages you've visited. One example of something that gets stored in TIF is
the graphic elements of web pages you've visited. The whole idea behind TIF
is that if you should go back and visit the same page again, your browser
won't have to download all these bits and pieces again, so the page will
display faster on your monitor.

Restore points are not stored in TIF. They are stored separately in a hidden
folder called System Volume Information. The folder is hidden so that people
won't accidentally mess with it.

So you see that TIF and restore points are two separate things stored in
separate places. Now you understand how clearing the browser's cache has
nothing to do with your restore points.

If you have a virus or other malware on your system, you want to get rid of
your restore points. Your restore points could also contain the virus.

 

[Noel Paton]

You cannot lose your System Restore points merely by emptying the TIF - it's
not possible under any circumstances!

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read on how to post messages to NG's

 

[Guest]

Sorry I haven't gotback until now but I eventually found my post!
Ok I understand that it is not possible to loose the system restore
settings. But then why can't you go back and system restore more than a week
or so? On my system although I don't want to try it for obvious reasons it
won't restore more than a week or so which led me to believe that the the
cache where the settings are stored was emptying itself gradually. In that
case you couldn't restore past a week or more because of this and a
RESTORATION INCOMPLETE OR YOUR SYSTEM CANNOT BE RESTORED( options would be to
go back or choose another restore point) message would occur on a reboot
after attemping a restore point.

Thankyou people anyway. I hope that I don't have a serious problem next time
I screw things up on my PC!

 

[Noel Paton]

That error message is often caused by missing files within the SR archive
becoming corrupted.
If that is the case, then the only cure, unfortunately, is to reset System
Restore and lose all existing points
Before doing that, I suggest that you have a look at this page, and follow
Bert Kinney's advice
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read on how to post messages to NG's