Temporary Internet Files folder takes up way too much disk space

[Guest]

About a week ago I got an error message saying I don't have enough disk space
to save a 2 MB file on my 30 GB hard drive. I checked the properties of the
C Drive and I in fact only have about 1 MB of free space left. After
searching through numerous folders, I discovered that my personal files take
up LESS THAN 1 GB, but that the Temporary Internet Files folder was using
OVER 17 GB of space. (This folder is set to only store 128 MB of internet
files). Upon deleting all the cookies and temporary files, the number went
down to 14 GB. I am now stuck with an empty folder taking up 14 GB of my
hard drive. Settings were set to show hidden files as well, and the folder
is in fact empty. It won't let me delete it either because it is "needed for
the computer to operate." Any Ideas???

 

[TaurArian [MVP]]

Safely Delete the Temporary Internet Files
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm

Particular interest: Various Utilities and Troubleshooting Articles

 

[Guest]

In internet options,set to zero days to save,in this mode it'll save only
for 24
hrs.Also,go to run,type:%Temp% In the new window,go to edit,select all,
delete all,close out,empty recycle bin.Those files are only used 1 time for
set-up,after that thier worthless.Other than that purchase larger drive,most
mfg havent produced a 30 GB drive in years,currently and for the last 3,all
drives
are in 40-80-120 etc platters.

 

[Enkidu]

About a week ago I got an error message saying I don't
have enough disk space to save a 2 MB file on my 30 GB
hard drive. I checked the properties of the C Drive and
I in fact only have about 1 MB of free space left. After
searching through numerous folders, I discovered that
my personal files take up LESS THAN 1 GB, but that the
Temporary Internet Files folder was using OVER 17 GB of
space. (This folder is set to only store 128 MB of
internet files). Upon deleting all the cookies and
temporary files, the number went down to 14 GB. I am
now stuck with an empty folder taking up 14 GB of my
hard drive. Settings were set to show hidden files as
well, and the folder is in fact empty. It won't let me
delete it either because it is "needed for the computer
to operate." Any Ideas???

Yes, go into IE, select "tools" -> "Internet Options" and
clear the cookies and files from there, if you haven't done
it already. Then set your 'history' to say 5 days and clear it.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[ppcc]

About a week ago I got an error message saying I don't have enough disk
space
to save a 2 MB file on my 30 GB hard drive. I checked the properties
of the
C Drive and I in fact only have about 1 MB of free space left. After
searching through numerous folders, I discovered that my personal files
take
up LESS THAN 1 GB, but that the Temporary Internet Files folder was
using
OVER 17 GB of space. (This folder is set to only store 128 MB of
internet
files). Upon deleting all the cookies and temporary files, the number
went
down to 14 GB. I am now stuck with an empty folder taking up 14 GB of
my
hard drive. Settings were set to show hidden files as well, and the
folder
is in fact empty. It won't let me delete it either because it is
"needed for
the computer to operate." Any Ideas???

Try using a utility like CCleaner and then run chkdsk and then the disk
defragmenter after you delete the unwanted files.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The folder is not empty. Content.IE5 has the 14 GB. Part of this is the
index.dat file.

To delete *all* Temporary Internet Files...

1) Start | Run | Type: inetcpl.cpl | OK
Or right click the Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop.
Or: Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options.
Best to do this with all instances of Internet Explorer closed. Especially
if there are a large number of files.
2) On the General Tab, in the middle of the screen, click on Delete Files
3) Check the box Delete all offline content {This cleans >>
%homepath%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
AND
%homepath%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5
and \Content.MSO (Created by an MS Office program)}
4) Click on OK and wait for the hourglass icon to stop after it deletes the
temporary internet files
5) You can now click on Delete Cookies and click OK to delete cookies that
websites have placed on your hard drive.

Set the cache to the lowest setting.
IE | Tools | Internet Options | General tab | Settings button |
Amount of disk space to use | Move the slider clear to the left |
That should be 1 MB | Click Apply | Click OK

Delete *all* Temporary Internet Files daily using Delete all offline
content.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In