Windows Disk Cleaner Reports Huge Number of Non-Existent Temporary Internet Files

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My temporary internet files folder, C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheIE, is “empty.” Empty is in quotes because when hidden files are exposed, there are a few amounting to less than 2 MB. What is more than a little bothersome is that Window’s own Disk Cleaner reports 1.75 GB of temporary internet files. Further, it doesn’t “delete” these apparently non-existing files. Is this a real problem, or might I be messing up?

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Besides myself, there have been others reporting it found TBs of files to remove.

I opened a Command Prompt (Admin) and entered –

dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup and then ran Disk Cleanup again where it was back to normal.

That Dism cmd can take a while to run as it cleans up the WinSxS folder.

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Following your reported effort I, too, opened a Command Prompt (Admin) and entered – dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup. Unfortunately, Disk Cleaner still reports 1.73 GB whereas before it is reported 1.75 GB.

Just curious, what might the WinSxS folder have to do with Tempory internet files?

Lastly, thank you to Sudo15

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Thought it may have been picking up on out of date Windows Updates, but click on System Files and let it run again to see what it reports.

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Thought it may have been picking up on out of date Windows Updates, but click on System Files and let it run again to see what it reports.

Adding System Files added merely a few KB.

Dapster: Try this: Control Panel -> All Control Panel Items -> Security and Maintenance
Click on the Maintenance pull-down.
Click on Start Maintenance
When maintenance finishes, try Windows Disk Cleaner again.
Rob

Still waiting for Maintenance to finish. I’ve got my doubts, thinking I may have to abort the process. I’ll give it a few hours unless I’m told that’s much too long to wait.

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Adding System Files added merely a few KB.

Still waiting for Maintenance to finish. I’ve got my doubts, thinking I may have to abort the process. I’ll give it a few hours unless I’m told that’s much too long to wait.

On my system it can take 20-25 minutes to run.

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Manually begun maintenance ended after about 30 minutes. No change with Disk cleaner. Still reports about 1.73 GB of non-existent files.

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My temporary internet files folder, C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheIE, is “empty.” Empty is in quotes because when hidden files are exposed, there are a few amounting to less than 2 MB. What is more than a little bothersome is that Window’s own Disk Cleaner reports 1.75 GB of temporary internet files. Further, it doesn’t “delete” these apparently non-existing files. Is this a real problem, or might I be messing up?

Dapster: Try this: Control Panel -> All Control Panel Items -> Security and Maintenance
Click on the Maintenance pull-down.
Click on Start Maintenance

When maintenance finishes, try Windows Disk Cleaner again.

Rob

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Have you tried Wiztree?

It’s quite useful for having a nosey around your hard drive 😎

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[bbearren]

Have you tried deleting the files via IE > Internet options > and clicking the Delete button on the General tab?

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by bbearren.

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Download the free version of CCleaner – https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Use the Custom install and uncheck for Intelligent Cookie Scan.

After the install click on Options/Monitoring and uncheck the boxes for monitoring – you don’t need it running in the background.

Click on Advanced and uncheck Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 24 hours.

Click on Cleaner – scroll down to System and uncheck the box for Memory Dumps.

Under the Applications tab scroll down to Windows and uncheck the box for MS Search then click on Analyze to see what that finds to clean out.

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C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheIE Size 304 KB
C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheLow Size 12.6 MB
C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCache Size 12.9 MB

The above was copied from folder Properties and is consistent with that found by CCleaner Pro (set up as requested) which I’ve had for some time. Curiously, I paid for Pro as way of supporting Piriform. As the saying goes, “no good deed goes unpunished.” It turns out that unbeknownst to me, my supporting payment was only good for 1 year after which a renewal was solicited. Lastly, Disk Cleaner still contends there’re 1.74 GB of temporary internet files to be deleted. That’s quite a bit more than 12.9 MB.

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I do not see this exact path C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCacheIE on any of my 3 computers: Win10 PRO, Win10 HP or Win7 HP. What am I doing wrong? What OS are you using?
— Did you move your temporary Internet files location to the desktop?

On my Win10 HP computer temporary Internet files shows 153 MB
— After cleaning them out, 101 MB are still intact.

Please note that when you delete Temporary Internet Files using Disk Cleanup it explains that
— The Temporary Internet Files folder contains webpages stored on your hard disk for quick viewing. Your personalized settings for webpages will be left intact.

On your system, Disk Cleanup reports 1.75 GB temporary Internet files and none of them are deleted (Post #1).
— I wouldn’t consider them non-existing files. I believe more research is needed on how Disk Cleanup & the contents of C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCacheIE interact.
— Maybe C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCacheIE doesn’t take your personalized settings for webpages into account.
— Before running Disk Cleanup, how much is in C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCacheIE?

When Disk Cleaner still reports 1.73 GB whereas before it is reported 1.75 GB (Post #3), it sounds to me like what’s being left intact is the 1.73 GB for what ever reason that isn’t know yet.

The recommendation to check Internet Options makes me think you can consider going to the Advanced tab and check Empty Internet Files folder when browser is closed and see what difference it makes.
— You can always go back and uncheck afterward if you prefer.
I don’t have that checked but on the General tab, I have Delete browsing history on exit.

Here’s a reference you can check out if you wish.
— It includes EDGE in addition to IE. Even if you don’t use EDGE, check it out anyway.
Temporary Internet Files Cant Delete Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/browsers-email/14262-temporary-internet-files-cant-delete-windows-10-a.html

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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That folder name suggests to me that there is a user called desktop on the pc :confused:

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That folder name suggests to me that there is a user called desktop on the pc :confused:

Or someone typed the entries instead of copy/pasting them!

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Thanks Browni

That folder name suggests to me that there is a user called desktop on the pc :confused:

On the C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCacheIE I cannot find it on my Win10 Pro
What I find is C:Users”my user name”AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindows
— There isn’t any I NetCacheIE
— What am I doing wrong so I can find the default temporary Internet files location on my Win10 computer?

Dapster, what OS are you using?

Sudo15, I entered %temp% and the best choice was to delete cookies or temporary files.
Dapster on the recommendation by bbearren to delete the files via IE > Internet options > and clicking the Delete button on the General tab. How does that work for you?
— If that doesn’t help, consider
Check Delete browsing history.
— Check the items on the following page. Temporary Internet files and website files, Cookies and website data, History & Downloaded History?
— After that click on Apply & OK for the settings to stay in effect.
— You can always go back to what you will want to uncheck later on
— If any of them are not, Disk Cleanup probably can’t clean up whatever is intact or still in use.
Compare the results to what you have been getting when you run Disk Cleanup again.

Then on Ccleaner, it appears to me that when you had the paid Pro version, you did not have the issues you are seeing now? Is that true?

EDIT: Do you have a padlock on the Disk Cleanup Temporary Internet Files entry?
46234-Disk-Cleanup-temporary-internet-files

Unfortunately there isn’t an answer in here but there is mention of the padlock.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/disk-cleanup-padlock-on-temporary-internet-files/ae7eb6c2-2e29-4a6c-9bda-c4ee500623d7
“Just recently there is a padlock in the “tick box” against temporary internet files meaning none can be deleted in this disc clean up area and of course the file size grows and grows….so how can we delete them or more importantly how can we remove the padlock and go back to how it was! Note lap top and other devices all ok”

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Browni is correct. In address, C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCache , Desktop is the user. While I appreciate the time taken by cmptrgy, the fact remains Disk Cleaner is reporting occupying stuff that isn’t there.

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Browni is correct. In address, C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCache , Desktop is the user. While I appreciate the time taken by cmptrgy, the fact remains Disk Cleaner is reporting occupying stuff that isn’t there.

There are a lot of reports around the web about Disk Cleaner reporting values that are incorrect.The consensus seems to be that it causes no problems.

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Go Start – type %temp% and press enter when Temp is highlighted to see if they are in there.

If it’s highly populated, press CTRL+a to highlight then CTRL+d to delete and then empty the recycle bin, or use CCleaner to empty the bin which will tell you the total size of those files in bin.

I ran Disk Cleanup and it was reporting there was 3.9TB of Windows Update files available to delete.

I partially ran the dism cmd but after the second 100% pass, I CTRL+C’d it but it was enough to do the job.

How many 100% passes did yours take to completion ?

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Dapster has that folder on his PC because he has a user profile named ‘Desktop’

‘I NetCacheIE’ contains a superfluous space due to a known problem with the forum software. Can you see the folder ‘INetCacheIE’ ? It is a Hidden System folder so you need to enable viewing of them.

Here it is on my W10 PC.

46235-appdataie

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Based on C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsI NetCacheIE
— I’m looking for on my computer is C:Usersldg11AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindows I NetCacheIE

I use Show hidden files, folders and drives. I need to do that to view AppData etc.
46246-Show-hidden-files-folders-and-drives

Here is my attempt to find I NetCacheIE
46247-Cannot-find-iNetCache-IE

If I’m doing something wrong, please let me know.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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According to
Disc clean …..up padlock against the temporary internet suddenly appeared. How to remove and delete temp internet files
http://windowanswers.com/windows-8-1/disc-clean-up-padlock-against-the-temporary-internet-suddenly-appeared-how-to-remove-and-delete-temp-internet-files-302448.html
The padlock icon will show up if there is a browser currently using some of the temporary internet files – hence, rendering Disk Cleanup to be unable to delete some files which are in use. To ensure that all temporary internet files are deleted, make sure that all browsers are closed before running the Disk Cleanup.

I did 3 things to test their recommendation and ensured EDGE and IE11 were not open.
None of which eliminated the temporary Internet files padlock.
— Went into Safe Mode
— Started up in Normal boot and did not open any browsers
— Shut down, removed my USB wireless adapter to ensure no Internet connection and started back up
My 101 MB are still intact in each case
— I know 101 MB isn’t much but the issue is that all temporary Internet files are not deleted
— In your case the amount is too much higher and I would want a fix just like you do

I can’t say whether or not this makes sense but even if you do not use EDGE, consider clearing browsing data through EDGE’s settings.
— I’ve had times when Ccleaner had to shut down both EDGE & IE even when I hadn’t used EDGE.

How about Skype?
I don’t have it installed but I have friends who use it and always have it on.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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“the fact remains Disk Cleaner is reporting occupying stuff that isn’t there.”
I’ve gone on Microsoft Community for similar complaints: however, no help there.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean that it don’t exist.

C:UsersxxxAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindows INetCacheIE is a hidden system folder

You’ve selected the option to show hidden files, have you also unchecked the option which hides protected operating system files?

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“have you also unchecked the option which hides protected operating system files” That’s got to be it. I’m not at home this weekend. I’ll get to it when I get back.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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This is the one to uncheck (it will give a warning as to what it does)

46255-hideprotos

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My temporary internet files folder, C:UsersDesktopAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheIE, is “empty.” Empty is in quotes because when hidden files are exposed, there are a few amounting to less than 2 MB. What is more than a little bothersome is that Window’s own Disk Cleaner reports 1.75 GB of temporary internet files. Further, it doesn’t “delete” these apparently non-existing files. Is this a real problem, or might I be messing up?

After all the aggravation I apparently caused the last time I suggested this utility, I hesitated before posting this reply :p

But I decided I’m going to take the chance and run away if people start abusing me again 😮

I recall some time back that I had struck a similar problem on a clients Windows 7 64-bit machine. I was working on it remotely using LogMeIn Rescue that I’ve been subscribing to as my main remote repair tool for about 8 years now. I tried just about everything suggested in this thread and nothing seemed to work. Hidden system files was turned off so that wasn’t the problem.

I eventually ended up downloading and installing Piriform’s Ccleaner Professional “Trial” to his machine from here;

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

I installed it, ran its “Cleaner” option with default values (didn’t change a single setting) and let it do its stuff.

For the heck of it I also ran it’s Registry Cleaner on the machine, backed up changes before I allowed it to clean and re-booted the clients machine.

When LogMeIn Rescue reconnected my session, I then ran the built in Windows Cleaner again and lo and behold, the TONS of Temp Files it had been reporting but wouldn’t remover were now gone.

Now please don’t scream at me people.. 😆

I know many of you think this utility is useless and causes more problems than it solves, but that’s not been my experience and after everything tried, perhaps dapster can finally get some releif? 🙂

After all, what does he have to lose? There’s a backup of all registry changes by Ccleaner and there’s also System Restore to completely reverse all and any changes CCleaner will make to Temp files.

Hope this helps..

Andrew

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After all the aggravation I apparently caused the last time I suggested this utility, I hesitated before posting this reply :p

But I decided I’m going to take the chance and run away if people start abusing me again 😮

Do you mean on this forum? I can’t see where that happened.

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Do you mean on this forum? I can’t see where that happened.

Hi Bruce,

Just did a search and I can’t seem to find it anymore either.

I’m certain it was on this forum, though not sure how long ago. Is there a way to do a search on ALL posts you’ve participated in here?

Are entire threads ever deleted at this forum?

Curious.

Cheers…

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Hi Bruce,

Just did a search and I can’t seem to find it anymore either.

I’m certain it was on this forum, though not sure how long ago. Is there a way to do a search on ALL posts you’ve participated in here?

Are entire threads ever deleted at this forum?

Curious.

Cheers…

Although very tedious, you can search for posts by a user and then look through the search results. Unfortunately, you can’t search the search results.

Threads are not deleted.

--Joe

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