Valid files in Windows Temp directory?

[Guest]

I have run Norton Antivirus for years on my computers and never encountered a
problem, but with XP I find that Norton gets bogged down while scanning
Windows Temp directory. Are any of the files to be found in this directory
necessary for my system? Can I delete any files in that directory, and not
just the .tmp files? I know I can bypass the directory by making a scan
exclusion in Norton, but nevertheless I wanted to know if all that temp junk
can be deleted? Thanks.

 

[Unk]

I have run Norton Antivirus for years on my computers and never encountered a
problem, but with XP I find that Norton gets bogged down while scanning
Windows Temp directory. Are any of the files to be found in this directory
necessary for my system? Can I delete any files in that directory, and not
just the .tmp files? I know I can bypass the directory by making a scan
exclusion in Norton, but nevertheless I wanted to know if all that temp junk
can be deleted? Thanks.

Temporary \Tem"po*ra*ry\, a. [L. temporarius, fr. tempus, temporis, time: cf. F. temporaire.]
Lasting for a time only; existing or continuing for a limited time; not permanent; as, the
patient has obtained temporary relief.

Of course you can empty it. Reboot first to ensure nothing pending is using it.

 

[Rock]

I have run Norton Antivirus for years on my computers and never encountered a
problem, but with XP I find that Norton gets bogged down while scanning
Windows Temp directory. Are any of the files to be found in this directory
necessary for my system? Can I delete any files in that directory, and not
just the .tmp files? I know I can bypass the directory by making a scan
exclusion in Norton, but nevertheless I wanted to know if all that temp junk
can be deleted? Thanks.

Yes files in the temp folders can and should be deleted on a regular
basis. Do a reboot first (some program installation files need to be
run on a reboot) and then delete the temp contents in these folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Temp
C:\WINDOWS\Temp

 

[Guest]

Many thanks to unk and Rock for your replies. Given how weird Windows has
always functioned, regardless of the version, I thought it best to check
whether even temp file deletions would screw up my system even more. Again,
thanks!

 

[Rock]

Many thanks to unk and Rock for your replies. Given how weird Windows has
always functioned, regardless of the version, I thought it best to check
whether even temp file deletions would screw up my system even more. Again,
thanks!

You're welcome