Temp File location - Not where it's supposed to be

[grafis]

I support many systems and am continually seeing Internet Explorer Temp
files in two locations they should not be on systems that have standard
IE and System Temp file locations (not changed by end user or GPO)

1) C:\DOCUME~1\*user*\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Internet Files\
2) C:\Winnt\Temp\Temporary Internet Files

These machines also have temp files in the proper location and when
clearing the cache this is the affected location, the above go
untouched
1) C:\DOCUME~1\*user*\LOCALS~1\Temporary Internet Files\

How is it possible that Internet temp files are stored in the first two
locations above?

IE6 browser, Windows 2000 SP4 and WinXP Sp2

 

[Rob ^_^]

Hi grafis,

On unsecured IE installations users can change the folder for TIFs. Internet
Options - General tab > Settings Button > Move Folder Button.

Use the gpedit.msc utility to disable the General tab in Internet Options to
stop your users doing this.(there may be a specific setting to hide the Move
Folder button, I am not sure)

Regards.

 

[grafis]

Users are not changing the location.
The TIF location in all instances is the default when checking IE
settings.
As noted the default location is active with addititional TIF locations
also active.

It appears to me that somehow websites and or applications are gaining
access outside of the default location which is what has me baffled as
the Browser security model should not allow this and "web sites" should
not be aware of any other location nor be able to access locations
outside of the default TIF.
Perhaps an application or web site is somehow making changes to the
registry or exploiting a weakness in the security model?

 

[Rob ^_^]

Hi Grafis,

The Winnt/Temp folder is used by setup programs to unpack compressed setup
programs. There should not be any cookies there. You can clear the folder by
doing a disk cleanup.

Regards.

 

[grafis]

*** The TIF file location in IE is the default

*** There are no Policies in place that would affect TIF Location

*** User have not changed the TIF file location (IE is set to Defaults)

*** Temp files are actively being stored in three locations as noted
1) C:\DOCUME~1\*user*\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Internet Files\
2) C:\Winnt\Temp\Temporary Internet Files
3) C:\DOCUME~1\*user*\LOCALS~1\Temporary Internet Files\

*** HOW do the files arrive in these locations? ***

 

[Gary Smith]

I haven't seen this happen with TIF, but I've had a similar experience
with the History folder. It happened twice a few days apart. Both times
the system spontaneously reverted to the correct location, leaving dormant
files behind. Both time I removed the errant files and corrected pointers
in the registry. It hasn't haapened again, and it's been several months
now. My theory is that Windows for some reason was unable to access the
standard location at startup and used an alternate location instead. I
have no idea what "some reason" might be.

*** The TIF file location in IE is the default

*** There are no Policies in place that would affect TIF Location

*** User have not changed the TIF file location (IE is set to Defaults)