Can files in this folder be safely deleted?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MEL
  • Start date Start date
M

MEL

Windows XP Pro with SP2

Generally, can the files in this folder be safely deleted? If so, should
they be deleted? I don't need the space, just noticed various files left in
this folder and wondered if they're ever used again by the system, once they
were first placed in this folder?

Some have the tmp extension but others have different file extensions.

C:\Documents and Settings\Mary\Local Settings\Temp


My thanks for your advice.

Mary
 
| Windows XP Pro with SP2
|
| Generally, can the files in this folder be safely deleted? If so, should
| they be deleted? I don't need the space, just noticed various files left in
| this folder and wondered if they're ever used again by the system, once they
| were first placed in this folder?
|
| Some have the tmp extension but others have different file extensions.
|
| C:\Documents and Settings\Mary\Local Settings\Temp
|
|
| My thanks for your advice.
|
| Mary
|
|
Yes. In fact it is a good idea to periodically delete the files in this folder for improved
performance.
If you run the "Disk Cleanup" tool it will do it for you.
 
And the answer is: Maybe. You can't make a rule about all files in the
Temp folder. Some of those files could be leftovers from program
installs. Some might be currently in use, or useful when diagnosing an
application. You have to decide on a file by file basis.

Being constantly 'in touch' with what's going on in your computer is the
best way to make a reasoned judgement (about lots of things.) Absent
that, try moving files you want to delete to a different folder instead,
to see if that causes trouble. After a day or two without problems
you're probably in the clear to delete them.
 
MEL said:
Windows XP Pro with SP2

Generally, can the files in this folder be safely deleted? If so, should
they be deleted? I don't need the space, just noticed various files left
in this folder and wondered if they're ever used again by the system, once
they were first placed in this folder?

Some have the tmp extension but others have different file extensions.

C:\Documents and Settings\Mary\Local Settings\Temp


My thanks for your advice.

Mary
Click to expand...
You can clean out that folder whenever you wish. XP will not let you delete
a file which is in use.
Jim
 
Richard: In what way does clearing the user profile Temp folder lead to
"improved performance"? Will it make a computer run faster? Will it
prevent errors that might otherwise occur?
 
Windows XP Pro with SP2

Generally, can the files in this folder be safely deleted? If so, should
they be deleted? I don't need the space, just noticed various files left in
this folder and wondered if they're ever used again by the system, once they
were first placed in this folder?

Some have the tmp extension but others have different file extensions.

C:\Documents and Settings\Mary\Local Settings\Temp
Click to expand...


Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically.

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 the next time you delete manually.
 
| Windows XP Pro with SP2
|
| Generally, can the files in this folder be safely deleted? If so, should
| they be deleted? I don't need the space, just noticed various files left
in
| this folder and wondered if they're ever used again by the system, once
they
| were first placed in this folder?
|
| Some have the tmp extension but others have different file extensions.
|
| C:\Documents and Settings\Mary\Local Settings\Temp
|
|
| My thanks for your advice.
|
Click to expand...


Richard in AZ said:
Mary
Yes. In fact it is a good idea to periodically delete the files in this
folder for improved
performance.
If you run the "Disk Cleanup" tool it will do it for you.
Click to expand...


Mary:
The advice you rec'd from "Richard in AZ" is the advice you should follow.

Run the Disk Cleanup utility periodically, perhaps every few weeks or even
once a week.

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

To speed things up a bit when you use the Disk Cleanup utility...
You can avoid the delay caused by the "Scanning: Compress old files" routine
when Disk Cleanup begins.

Access the Registry and navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Compress
old files

Delete the "Compress old files" registry key.

For nearly all users it's unnecessary to "compress old files".

But if you feel uncomfortable about accessing the Registry, just ignore the
above, but *do* use the Disk Cleanup utility from time-to-time.
Anna
 
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