Temp folder contents (WinXP SP2)

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Hi all – I have been trying to educate myself by reading these forums and am puzzled by something I have discovered.. When using Windows Disk Cleanup utility (Start – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools) I have only ever emptied Temporary Internet Files (which I more often do through my browser now, anyway) and sometimes the Recycle Bin. The entries for Downloaded Program Files and Temporary Files have always said they contain 0 KB. Things I have read here about emptying the Temp folder have made it seem unlikely that there is never anything in mine, so I poked through folders following instructions found here, and located my Temp folder by way of Documents and Settings /Owner/Local Settings/Temp, and found this folder contains quite a number of files along with 10 folders, half of which are empty or contain only empty folders, . I am the only user of this computer. Can I safely delete all this stuff, since it was all supposed to be temporary anyway? And should the Temporary files listing in my Disk Cleanup utility be connected to this folder, or am I mixing up different things? I would be grateful for any attempts to dispell my ignorance.

Thanks, Maud

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It is usually safe to delete files in the Temp folder. The only reason I say usually is because some of the files may be in use by programs you have open. I use CCleaner to delete files from the Temp folder as it has a setting to only delete files in the Temp folder that are at least 48 hours old. CCleaner also cleans up a lot of other junk and it is a freeware program.

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Thanks, Tony, for the quick reply! I checked out CCleaner and it seems like something I could really use, which would help with other issues as well as this. From my reading here, I’ve come to realize I probably need to do some registry cleaning, but have been hesitant (I am in fearful awe of the registry, as befits someone of rudimentary computer knowledge.) It would be convenient to have one utility for all these housekeeping chores. It seems a new version of CCleaner has just been made available, and a few people have had issues. So, since I have no experience with it, I think I’ll wait a little while to make sure the wrinkles have all been shaken out, then download it. Thanks again.

Maud

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