Reference number: CH000225

How to remove temporary program files.

Question:

How to remove temporary program files.

Additional information:

Not to be confused with temporary Internet files, temporary program files are files used to store data currently being worked on, or information to be swapped with the operating system or other programs. These files can cause several issues and it has been found that searching for these files or manually deleting these files can help prevent issues or resolve issues with the computer. 

Information about clearing your Internet history or cache can be found on document CH000510.

Answer:

If you are running Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows XP follow the below instructions to remove any temporary files currently residing on the computer.

1. Click Start / Find and click Find Files or folders
2. In the named box type *.tmp to search for any files ending with tmp.
3. Verify that Look in section of the search box is pointing to the C: drive and not  Document Folders.
4. Click Find Now
5. Delete all files that are found 

Once the above section has been done it is also recommend that you ensure that the temporary folder on the hard disk is empty by following the below instructions.

1. Double-click My Computer
2. Double-click the C: drive
3. Double-click the Temp folder (if present) verify that all files within this folder are deleted.
4. Close the window and re-open My Computer
5. Double-click the C: drive
6. Double-click the Windows folder
7. Double-click the Temp folder (if present) verify that all files within this folder are deleted.

If you are running MS-DOS and or Windows 3.x follow the below instructions to remove any temporary files currently on the computer.

1. If you are currently in Windows click File and choose the option to Exit Windows
2. Once at the prompt type:
   cd\ <press enter>
   del *.tmp <press enter>
3. Delete all temporary files found in the root directory of the C drive. 
4. Next type:
   cd\ <press enter>
   cd temp <press enter>
5. If present or in the C:\TEMP> directory type del *.* and delete all files in the temp directory.
6. Once deleted or if the temp folder is not present type:
   cd\ <press enter>
   cd windows <press enter>
   cd temp <press enter>
7. If present or in the C:\Windows\TEMP> directory type del *.* and delete all files in the C: windows temp directory.

Additional Issues:

In Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, or XP when attempting to delete *.tmp I receive an error.

It is possible if other programs are running that are using the temporary files that these files will be locked ensure that all programs are closed before deleting *.tmp in Windows.