Can I delete this file

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Old Timer
  • Start date Start date
T

The Old Timer

I found this file on my hard drive that's 2.58GB in size. "C:\Documents and
Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp"
Can I safely delete it?
 
Hi

What's name of the file (inc. extension) and do you know which program
created it.? Right click on the file and select Properties - any helpful
info there - Created, Modified etc.?
 
This isn't just one file but rather a folder with 1932 files created my
many programs some of which I recognize as being on my machine & others that
I have no idea as to what they are related to.


Will Denny said:
Hi

What's name of the file (inc. extension) and do you know which program
created it.? Right click on the file and select Properties - any helpful
info there - Created, Modified etc.?
Click to expand...
 
I found this file on my hard drive that's 2.58GB in size. "C:\Documents and
Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp"
Can I safely delete it?
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the whole folder "Temp" or some file within it?
 
Hi

Reboot your system, to make sure that none of those files are in use, then
delete them.

--

Will Denny
MVP - Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


The Old Timer said:
This isn't just one file but rather a folder with 1932 files created my
many programs some of which I recognize as being on my machine & others
that
I have no idea as to what they are related to.
Click to expand...
 
I understand the caution in your response but my understanding is that all
files that are placed in the 'temp' folders by programs can be safely
deleted and that includes files created by Windows. Further files that are
in use cannot be deleted. If you try to delete those files you receive a
warning the file is in use and cannot be deleted. Temp files that are
required for programs to operate, Windows create temp files, are recreated
when required by Windows.

Now my question is, is my understanding, as set out about correct?

Most of the 'cleanup' programs (HDValet, Disk Cleaner) I have experience of
remove all files from the 'standard' temp folders automatically (other than
those that are in use) and I have seen no adverse effects.
 
Hi

Those files were in the Administrator Account folder. The Admin. Acc.
shouldn't be used on a daily basis. I use it only for troubleshooting. I
was wondering why there was that amount of files in that particular folder
for that particular account. Normally, yes, the temp files can be deleted.
 
I was talking about the whole folder 'temp. Many of the files could have
been created when new programs were installed, when I made a few music CD's
or when I encoded a few DVD's. I was under the impression , perhaps
erroneously that programs like 'NERO' would delete temp files it had created
once the job was done. Maybe this is an incorrect assumption.
 
Hi

Well, yes the temp folder - and only that folder - can be deleted, no parent
folders. That folder will be re-created as and when necessary. Are you
using the Admin Acc. on a daily basis and not a User Acc. that you have
created for yourself?

Nero, unfortunately, doesn't clear up very well after itself - those files
have to be manually deleted.
 
anything in a temp folder can be deleted that is the reason it is a TEMP
folder. you should reboot in case it was used for an install you just did!
If you run disk cleanup one of the things it looks for is temp files to
remove.

Wayne
 
Back
Top