Deleting Temp Files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wizard
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W

Wizard

The Windows cleanup utility seems to never delete my temp files in
Winnit\temp , or \Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Temp.

Can i manually delete them and how do I tell what is safe to delete?

Any advise would be appreciated.

(Win2k, sp4)
 
Some may be in use and as such cannot be deleted.
Delete, to recycle bin. If no problems occur perm.delete after a few days
 
Wizard said:
The Windows cleanup utility seems to never delete my temp files in
Winnit\temp , or \Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Temp.
Click to expand...
Can i manually delete them and how do I tell what is safe to delete?
Click to expand...

You can safely delete any files in these folders that aren't busy unless
you've initiated a software install since yhe last reboot. Trying
to delete busy files is harmless -- it jusr produces an error message.
The part about the install is significant because some installs will put
things into the Temp folder to be moved into their final position during
the next reboot process. You don't want to delete those before they have
a chance to reach their destination. I routinely clear these
folders before a backup and any other time it occurs to me.
 
You can safely delete any files in these folders that aren't busy unless
you've initiated a software install since yhe last reboot. Trying
to delete busy files is harmless -- it jusr produces an error message.
The part about the install is significant because some installs will put
things into the Temp folder to be moved into their final position during
the next reboot process. You don't want to delete those before they have
a chance to reach their destination. I routinely clear these
folders before a backup and any other time it occurs to me.
Click to expand...


Ok.

Thanks to you both for the reply !
 
You can safely delete any files in these folders that aren't busy unless
you've initiated a software install since yhe last reboot. Trying
to delete busy files is harmless -- it jusr produces an error message.
The part about the install is significant because some installs will put
things into the Temp folder to be moved into their final position during
the next reboot process. You don't want to delete those before they have
a chance to reach their destination. I routinely clear these
folders before a backup and any other time it occurs to me.
Click to expand...

One more question. How about hidden read only files? Can I do the
same?

Thanks
 
Wizard said:
One more question. How about hidden read only files? Can I do the
same?
Click to expand...

Yes, if they're in the Temp folder, you can delete them. If you're leery
of doing this, delete them to the Recycle Bin or move them to another
folder temporarily and watch to see if anything complains.
 
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