Deleting files safely

[Nikki]

Hi!

I am trying to clear out the files in my "c:\windows\temp" folder and my
"Local settings\temp" folder which now holds hundreds of files consuming
many MB. Many of the files in these folders are files with *.tmp extension
and I delete them freely. However there are also *.dat files, *.dll files
*.log files and *.exe files among many others stored either in the temp
folders or sub folders in the temp folders. Why are these types of files
kept there and are they still needed by any programs installed on my
computer or should I be selective in deleting them?

Thanks!
Nikki

 

[TaurArian [MVP]]

Hi Nikki, have you used disk cleanup ?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310312
Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP

 

[bxf]

Hi!

I am trying to clear out the files in my "c:\windows\temp" folder and my
"Local settings\temp" folder which now holds hundreds of files consuming
many MB. Many of the files in these folders are files with *.tmp extension
and I delete them freely. However there are also *.dat files, *.dll files
*.log files and *.exe files among many others stored either in the temp
folders or sub folders in the temp folders. Why are these types of files
kept there and are they still needed by any programs installed on my
computer or should I be selective in deleting them?

My experience is that EVERYTHING in this TEMP folder (and subfolders)
is not required and can be safely deleted. The files in this folder are
often produced during the installation process of various products that
fail to clean up after themselves..

 

[Nikki]

Yes I have used the Disk Cleanup tool but it does not seem to work.
When selecting the option to clean "Temporary files" in Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup does not properly report the number of bytes
that should be available to clear. It says that there are 0KB of temporary
files to delete when in fact there are several hundred files and several
megabytes
of files in the C:\windows\temp folder and the C:\Documents and
Settings\Nikki\Local Settings\Temp folders. When I run Disk Cleanup nothing
happens to any temporary files even files that have been residing in these
folders for several years. I wish I knew why this is so and how Disk
Cleanup
could be adjusted to properly report memory and to delete temp files
properly.
I have had this problem with Disk Cleanup since getting my computer new.

Nikki

 

[Plato]

folders or sub folders in the temp folders. Why are these types of files
kept there and are they still needed by any programs installed on my
computer or should I be selective in deleting them?

Yes delete them all. Anything in temp/tmp can/should be deleted/cleaned
out on a regular basis. Yes, there may be many different types of file
extensions there. No worry. Kill them.