Can I dlelete the entire temp directory

  • Thread starter Thread starter mm
  • Start date Start date
M

mm

I found not merely a file but a whole directory called temp
somewhere deep in the Documents and Settings\user\Local Settngs
directory of win2000 (and winxp fwiw).

Can I delete everything in it, that is everything that is more than a
week old? Since it's called "temp".

(The truth is I might not delete this stuff, but I've been backing it
up, and I want to delete .tmp files from my back-up drive. But the
thought of a whole directory named temp filled with .tmp files, but
also .cab files and .exe files, scares me.)

Thanks
 
I found not merely a file but a whole directory called temp
somewhere deep in the Documents and Settings\user\Local Settngs
directory of win2000 (and winxp fwiw).

Can I delete everything in it, that is everything that is more than a
week old? Since it's called "temp".
Click to expand...

And what about .tmp files marked Read Only and some others marked
System File. How can a .tmp file be a system file???????
 
With no application installs pending and after restart you can empty the
\temp directory.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
mm said:
I found not merely a file but a whole directory called temp
somewhere deep in the Documents and Settings\user\Local Settngs
directory of win2000 (and winxp fwiw).

Can I delete everything in it, that is everything that is more than a
week old? Since it's called "temp".

(The truth is I might not delete this stuff, but I've been backing it
up, and I want to delete .tmp files from my back-up drive. But the
thought of a whole directory named temp filled with .tmp files, but
also .cab files and .exe files, scares me.)

Thanks
Click to expand...

The Temp folder is used by Windows, some applications during install to
unpack installers, and many applications when being run. Some delete on
exit, but most leave them out. These can be safely deleted (excepting
those dated today that may be in use), and if left as is, continue to
bloat and consume enormous disk space. There is no need to back them up.

Do not delete the Folder itself, only the contents! Close all running
programs, and run the Windows Disk Cleanup periodically (Start/ Run/
Cleanmgr "OR" Start/ Run/ Programs/ System tools/ Disk Cleanup)

There are many nice third-party utilities as well. "CleanIt" from
http://www.silmarilsoftware.com/cleanit/index_eng.htm deletes the
contents each time Windows starts (after a confirmation on the directory
path during the first run). "CCleaner" is another app. to clear both
this and the "WinNT\Temp" folder manually.

Mohan...
 
The Temp folder is used by Windows, some applications during install to
unpack installers, and many applications when being run. Some delete on
exit, but most leave them out. These can be safely deleted (excepting
those dated today that may be in use), and if left as is, continue to
bloat and consume enormous disk space. There is no need to back them up.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Actually, I have to make extra efforts to not back
something up. In fact, so far, I've only stopped backing up .tmp
files. I have to read the instructions for XXCOPY again about how to
exclude a "temp" directory, especially since the fully qualified name
includes a user name, that varies from harddrive to harddrive. I'm
trying to use the same Exclusion File for any hard drive I back up,
and they all have different users. (A friend's before I work on it;
one of mine still in the name of the guy who gave it to me, etc.)
But I'll get it

This is more than you needed to know. Sorry.
Do not delete the Folder itself, only the contents! Close all running
programs, and run the Windows Disk Cleanup periodically (Start/ Run/
Cleanmgr "OR" Start/ Run/ Programs/ System tools/ Disk Cleanup)

There are many nice third-party utilities as well. "CleanIt" from
http://www.silmarilsoftware.com/cleanit/index_eng.htm deletes the
contents each time Windows starts (after a confirmation on the directory
path during the first run). "CCleaner" is another app. to clear both
this and the "WinNT\Temp" folder manually.

Mohan...
Click to expand...

Thanks to you and to Dave.
 
Mohan... said:
Do not delete the Folder itself, only the contents!
Click to expand...

I would have assumed that Windows would be smart enough to re-create the
temp directory if it had been deleted - in fact I'm sure earlier
versions did.
 
I would have assumed that Windows would be smart enough to re-create the
temp directory if it had been deleted - in fact I'm sure earlier
versions did.
Click to expand...

But if it doesn't, then there are files and broken files all over the
inside of the computer. I would just let them sit there, but my wife
insists on cleaning up. Once she insisted we open the harddrive to
clean up the broken files in that.
 
Sid said:
I would have assumed that Windows would be smart enough to re-create the
temp directory if it had been deleted - in fact I'm sure earlier
versions did.
Click to expand...

It probably would recreate (for being an environment variable) if
deleting the entire folder is immediately followed by a reboot. May not
be safe to delete while continuing to work, as even the harmless things
like printers/scanners keep writing some temporary stuff.

I remember with Win98, it was possible to insert a line into
Autoexec.bat to delete the contents, or delete the Temp folder itself,
with a next line to recreate using MakeDir, as the whole thing would run
before Windows loaded. But that probably doesn't work with later versions.

Thanks
Mohan...
 
mm said:
But if it doesn't, then there are files and broken files all over the
inside of the computer. I would just let them sit there, but my wife
insists on cleaning up. Once she insisted we open the harddrive to
clean up the broken files in that.
Click to expand...

You don't have to open up the HDD, all you have to do is put it in the
dishwasher to clean it up. :)
Buffalo
 
Buffalo said:
You don't have to open up the HDD, all you have to do is put it in the
dishwasher to clean it up. :)
Buffalo
Click to expand...

Buffalo:

If you want to do it by hand there are step by step instructions with
pictures here ;-)

http://www.datadocktorn.nu/us_frag1.php

John


--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - 40.4913ºN,79.904ºW - http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6
 
It probably would recreate (for being an environment variable) if
deleting the entire folder is immediately followed by a reboot. May not
be safe to delete while continuing to work, as even the harmless things
like printers/scanners keep writing some temporary stuff.

I remember with Win98, it was possible to insert a line into
Autoexec.bat to delete the contents, or delete the Temp folder itself,
with a next line to recreate using MakeDir, as the whole thing would run
before Windows loaded. But that probably doesn't work with later versions.
Click to expand...

Does win2000 have a Start directory that will run any program in it
when you start windows? I think so.

What about when you close windows? Does 2000 or XP have a way to run
something, like a backup program, in the process of shutting down
Windows?
 
mm said:
Does win2000 have a Start directory that will run any program in it
when you start windows? I think so.

What about when you close windows? Does 2000 or XP have a way to run
something, like a backup program, in the process of shutting down
Windows?
Click to expand...

All Windows versions have a Startup folder: Start/ Programs/ Startup.
Double click this to open a folder Window, and create a new shortcut
here to any program (or even a document).
However, I haven't heard of an "Endup" folder to do the same while
shutting down! Use the Task Scheduler (Control Panel/ Scheduled tasks)
to run something at a specified time. Or may be a batch file could be
created to run your backup first, and then shut down Windows.

Mohan...
 
All Windows versions have a Startup folder: Start/ Programs/ Startup.
Double click this to open a folder Window, and create a new shortcut
here to any program (or even a document).
However, I haven't heard of an "Endup" folder to do the same while
shutting down! Use the Task Scheduler (Control Panel/ Scheduled tasks)
to run something at a specified time. Or may be a batch file could be
created to run your backup first, and then shut down Windows.
Click to expand...

I could do that.

Win3.1 and/or more likely win98 has something that will run on exiting
windows. That's one reason I asked.
 
Use the Group policy editor.
%systemroot%\system32\gpedit.msc

User Config\Windows Settings\Scripts\Logon/Logoff
Computer Config\Windows Settings\Scripts\Startup/Shutdown

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
<snip>
 
Dave said:
Use the Group policy editor.
%systemroot%\system32\gpedit.msc

User Config\Windows Settings\Scripts\Logon/Logoff Computer
Config\Windows Settings\Scripts\Startup/Shutdown
Click to expand...

Thanks, that was a nice tip. I now run my backup before shutdown.

Mohan...
 
Thanks also.
Thanks, that was a nice tip. I now run my backup before shutdown.
Click to expand...

The problem with that is, Is this a backup of just the data, or the
whole system? If the second, what if I screwed something up in that
session and don't know it yet.

In general how is that handled.

I had software that kept track of the last n versions of a file, but
it malfunctioned and cost me a whole gigabyte of files. (There was a
program fix but I didn't know about it. :( Still, it's one thing not
to be perfect, and another thing to delete almost everything it
touched. So I don't want to use that anymore. )
 
mm said:
Thanks also.


The problem with that is, Is this a backup of just the data, or the
whole system? If the second, what if I screwed something up in that
session and don't know it yet.

In general how is that handled.

I had software that kept track of the last n versions of a file, but
it malfunctioned and cost me a whole gigabyte of files. (There was a
program fix but I didn't know about it. :( Still, it's one thing not
to be perfect, and another thing to delete almost everything it
touched. So I don't want to use that anymore. )
Click to expand...

How and what to Backup varies with each user. You can safely use Windows
Backup (Start/ Programs/ Accessories/ System tools/ Backup) to archive
both system and personal data under separate backups. These are easy to
restore, and won't delete anything.

I use Windows Backup for only System State Data periodically, and
DSynchronize, a small freeware executable (portable) for other things
regularly (now during shutdown).

Mohan...
 
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