Temp vs. Temporary Internet

[Guest]

I have Windows XP Pro and there are two files, TEMP, and Temporary Internet
Files that seem to contain files that are both internet related. I read thru
some previous posts about it being ok to delete the TEMP files. My question
is: What is the purpose of the TEMP folder. What is supposed to get stored
there and why?

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

The TIF (temporary internet file) folder is where windows places the files
it has to download when displaying a website. For example, if you empty out
the TIF, then visit a website, then look inside the TIF, you will see stuff
relating to that web site. Usually .gif, cookies, .php, jpeg, etc. This
stuff is temporarly stored on your computer and remains there till cleared
out by your or by newer files when the memory allocated to the TIF gets
full. This is also a place where many spyware and other malware tends to
reside. I usually have my TIF size set to 1MB and my internet settings to
always clear the cookies and TIF when I`m done.

The Temp folder is where windows temporary install files and stuff it needs
to run a program. Instead of placing the data or other files created to run
a program in the original program folder, it places it in a temp folder, so
as to not change any of the original program files. If you look in the temp
folder, you will usually see folders or files associated with programs you
recently ran.

But as the names imply, they are just folders for windows store files and
folders for temporary use.

Jeff

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Deacon,

There are actually two Temp folders, one in C:\Window\Temp and one in
C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Local Settings\Temp
The Local Settings folder is hidden. The Temp folders are used for
temporary storage of folder and files by various programs particularly
during there installation process. Under ideal conditions the program
installation process removes the folders and files it placed in these
temp folders. Sometimes they are not removed. The temp folders can be
emptied at any time directly after a reboot. These temp folders are
not internet related.

Internet Explorer used the Temporary Internet Files folder to store
files (mainly image files) it downloads from the WWW. This way if it
IE needs them again it can take them from the TIF folder rather
download them again which speeds up the loading of web pages.

To delete TIF, right click on the IE icon on the desktop and pick
Properties - Delete Files, online and off line.

While in Internet Properties click on Setting under the General Tab.
The "Amount of disk space to use" is normally set much to high. It can
be reduced. With a broadband connection it can be set around 20MB's
and more for dial up connections.

 

[Guest]

How-to Clean Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and other temporary files:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowstempfiles.htm


Hope this helps!

 

[Ken Blake]

In

My question is: What is the purpose of the TEMP
folder. What is supposed to get stored there and why?

The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can
create temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each
program should delete all its temporary files when it closes, but
for various reasons it doesn't always happen (for example, if the
program crashes, it never gets to do this). That's why it's a
good idea to periodically clean out anything left there.

Also note that there are some program installations which work in
two steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files
and rebooting. The second step starts automatically after
rebooting and needs to find those files there (and then deletes
them when it's done).

Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would
interfere with installations like the kind I described), it's
always safe to delete the contents of the temp folder. Because
it's safe to delete any temp files that aren't open and in use by
an application, and since Windows won't let you delete open
files, it's safe to (try to) delete them at any time. If any fail
to delete because they're open, they'll either be deleted
automatically when the app using them closes, or you'll get them
next time.