IE Temp Internet folder keeps growing

First, if you installed ANY software updates during your session, DO NOT delete any files from the temp or temporary internet files until the next system boot.

Some updates make use of these temp files when the finish installing after the re-boot.

Then, it is usually safe to delete ANY temp file or folder that is over 2 weeks old.

The Temporary Internet Files folder is a very complex folder.
What happens during the delay when you first open the folder is that Windows searches through the sub-folders and displays the "safe" content in the folder view.

You can automatically purge most of the Temporary Internet Files by using the Delete Files button on the General Tab of Internet Options.

Another trick, is to set a smaller maximum size for Internet Cache.

Chas

Another suggestion might be to enable the automatic deletion of the Temporary Internet files within IE:

From the ADVANCED tab of the Internet Options, scroll down to the bottom to the SECURITY section. Put a tick next to EMPTY TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES WHEN BROWSER IS CLOSED. This will delete unneeded temporary files. (not cookies though)

I also have a batch file that cleans out coookies and other crap as well (and the c:\windows\temp folder too) that I run occasionally (and on users computers too). it just contains:

deltree /y c:\windows\temp\*.*
deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1\*.*

this deletes all files and folders/subfolders in these directories, unless they are protected or in use.

And yes, it does clear out the subfolders under CONTENTIE5, but it cant remove the CONTENTIE5 folder as it is protected.

Stu

I got tired of manually cleaning house on my PC every couple of weeks so I wrote a program to do it for me. It deletes everything in all 'temp' folders, all cookies, and anything in any recycle bin more than 7 days old. I put a shortcut to it in my startup folder so it runs everytime I boot.

If anyone is interested in a free copy, email me and I'll send it to you.

Ralph

Specifically, I know how to use the delete button, and all other ways to delete the folders. My question is can you delete them safely.
One response is after two weeks, ok, however, some folders have exe files. The original sets in the My Download folder, the open application is running, so the temp folder has made another copy of the same application? Then it is ok to delete the application after a couple of weeks?
Anyone got a macro on that one, keeps the date going so each file after two weeks will auto delete? Is that what I have to do?
Seems like a waste of space having them sit in there. And by the way, why does it make the new folder? Why do some and not others. Spyware doesn't recognize them?
Any thoughts on this?
Kim

Have you tried the disk cleanup in explorer, c:, properties

I see that someone named Poster answered/rated my question. Can someone tell me the answer then?
Or is there an answer?
Kim

Hi Kim,

In response to your questions:

My question is can you delete them safely.
One response is after two weeks, ok, however, some folders have exe files. The original sets in the My Download folder, the open application is running, so the temp folder has made another copy of the same application?

Any 'properly' written software uses the C:\Windows\Temp folder as 'temporary' storage for the files used to install the program.
What happens is that most software is distributed in compressed volumes, and uses an installer to extract the files to the temp folder.
The installer then uses the files in the temp folder to install the application in a specific folder.

Then it is ok to delete the application after a couple of weeks?

It is safe to delete any file in the temp folder that is over 2 weeks old, even applications.
The 2 week recommendation is just to provide a buffer in case a program has not fully completed it's installation.
I usually delete files that are not from the current day.

Anyone got a macro on that one, keeps the date going so each file after two weeks will auto delete? Is that what I have to do?

In Windows Explorer, look at the folder set to detail view, and sort by date.
Scroll down to the date you want to start deleting from and select that file, then use the shift key when you click on the last file to select all files between the first and last selected files.

Seems like a waste of space having them sit in there. And by the way, why does it make the new folder?

New folders are made to assure that the installer will not over-write an existing file, or use a file from a different application.

Why do some and not others. Spyware doesn't recognize them?

Any thoughts on this?

If a folder does not contain a spy-ware application, spy-ware checkers like AdAware will not flag the folder.

Chas

Chas,
Thank you for taking the time to explain every detail for me, my hat is off to you!
Kim

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