Is is always completely OK to delete ".tmp" files?

[Guest]

Using a file locator utility, I found the following files, for example.

C:\WINDOWS\SET29.tmp (22 KB, 3/30/2006 3:03:56 AM) C:\WINDOWS\SET2A.tmp
(11 KB, 3/30/2005 10:54:06 AM) C:\WINDOWS\SET3.tmp (1,019 KB, 8/4/2004
3:00:00 AM) C:\WINDOWS\SET4.tmp (1,061 KB, 8/4/2004 3:00:00 AM)
C:\WINDOWS\SET8.tmp (14 KB, 8/4/2004 3:00:00 AM)
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v2.0.50727_32\Temp\ZAP1BE.tmp (11/28/2007
12:01:26 AM) C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v2.0.50727_32\Temp\ZAP258.tmp
(4/10/2009 8:10:13 PM)
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v2.0.50727_32\Temp\ZAP363.tmp (4/10/2009
8:16:01 PM)

I note that these files are in the WINDOWS directory.

Are there some .tmp files that should be left alone forever? Are there any
precautions to be applied before deleting every single .tmp file on the hard
drive?

 

[Leonard Grey]

A reasonable rule of thumb is to delete .tmp files that are older than
48 hours. Restart your computer before deleting temp files.

A safe way to do this is with XP's own Disk Cleanup Wizard.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

A reasonable rule of thumb is to delete .tmp files that are older than
48 hours.

I don't agree. There's no need to worry about the age. The only
consideration is not to delete .tmp files that are in use, but since
Windows won't let you do that, there's nothing to worry about. Just
try to delete them all.

Restart your computer before deleting temp files.

Unnecessary, for the same reason: Windows won't let you delete .tmp
files that are in use.

A safe way to do this is with XP's own Disk Cleanup Wizard.

Yes, that's a safe way, but deleting them manually yourself is also a
safe way.