Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Nigel on April 09, 2006, 01:29:23 PM

Title: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Nigel on April 09, 2006, 01:29:23 PM
How safe is it to delete files within the "temp" and "temporary internet files"? Is there anything I should look out for

Cheers
N
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 09, 2006, 01:42:30 PM
Only one thing. Don't delete the cookies in the temp internet files folder. You can, but if you do, the internet will "forget" your passwords and you'll have to enter them again. But other than that pain, there's nothing to worry about. :)
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: MANTIS_PROTEGE on April 13, 2006, 03:39:22 PM
How do you delete them. My puter seems a lil slow latly and want to get rid of them. :-[
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Fed on April 13, 2006, 04:21:28 PM
Download & run ccleaner from http://www.ccleaner.com
(During install, uncheck the Yahoo Toolbar option)
(After install, set Options>Advanced> 'Uncheck the 48 hour box')
Run the Cleaner & scan for Issues.

Then do a defrag, re-boot & see if that helps.

Is your computer free of malware & viruses?
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: GX1_Man on April 13, 2006, 04:22:28 PM
Just download and run ccleaner. That will take care of everything, and it's safe and free!  ;)

www.ccleaner.com
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: MANTIS_PROTEGE on April 14, 2006, 01:31:58 PM
Quote
Is your computer free of malware & viruses?


Not sure, not very pc savy here. :-[
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: MANTIS_PROTEGE on April 14, 2006, 01:33:37 PM
Witch one should I DL ?

http://www.ccleaner.com/ccdownload.asp
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Flame on April 14, 2006, 02:36:44 PM
They're both the same. Downloading from FileHippo might be faster though. Your choice.

Flame
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Fed on April 14, 2006, 04:15:11 PM
m4, if you're unsure then run a free online scan at Panda.
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

As a minimum you should also have a Firewall, Antivirus & Antispyware installed & active protection enabled. The A/V & A/S should be updated on a regular basis too.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Peccavi on April 15, 2006, 01:32:25 PM
Windows/Temp and Temporary Internet Files must be cleaned regularly, as they are the cosy place for malwares.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Nigel on April 15, 2006, 03:16:39 PM
I went through and deleted most of my Interent temp files. Its worth remembering to do it when leaving a job, as anyone signing in to a site your've visited could access to your sign in and passwords.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: MANTIS_PROTEGE on April 16, 2006, 11:14:13 AM
Thank I will run the hippo one . Gonna get to it when I get back home. Thankx
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Fed on April 16, 2006, 04:34:20 PM
Don't be afraid when you see how much it wants to delete, just go for it.
BTW, running ccleaner before any scans is a good idea.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 16, 2006, 04:51:02 PM
Quote
Don't be afraid when you see how much it wants to delete, just go for it.
BTW, running ccleaner before any scans is a good idea.

Sorry to hijack, but I run CCleaner but never saw this function of it. It fixed 300+ problems. :o
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Fed on April 16, 2006, 05:00:29 PM
And what function would that be Dilbert?
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 16, 2006, 05:07:30 PM
Issues. :-[ I only saw the "Run Cleaner" thing and used it. I am slapping myself silly as I speak...
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Fed on April 16, 2006, 05:42:02 PM
That's strange, I have quite a LARGE 'Issues' button.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 16, 2006, 05:43:48 PM
I know. That's why I feel so dumb right now. /me cringes

I guess Scott Adams was right:

Quote
No matter how smart you actually are, you spend part of each day being an idiot.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: TomTW on April 23, 2006, 11:50:54 AM
Quote
Only one thing. Don't delete the cookies in the temp internet files folder. You can, but if you do, the internet will "forget" your passwords and you'll have to enter them again. But other than that pain, there's nothing to worry about. :)
First off; this statement went right over my head.  Though I generally keep a hand written list of passwords; if you could ellaborate some; as I'd like to understand the context.

Being a newbie; I some how, lost a reply I'd spent a couple hours forming; in lue of this, I'll try to make this short.
Also, I should hope my reply is appropriate to this post.
I recently installed Ccleaner; I find it an essential tool for keeping the pointless clutter on my PC to a minimum.
In addition I've been told it's also possible to use the run box entering  %temp%  
or; rather using windows search option
entering  *.tmp,*.chk,~*.* to reveal even more temporary file which can I'm told be removed safely.
I first ran Ccleaner then after emptying the recycle bin and restarting the machine; I searched Windows using *.tmp,*.chk,~*.* and found many more temporary files.
I believe this is related to the subject; it is widely recommended; to set Windows to show hidden and protected files; as when scanning for maleware.  
The way I understand this is showing hidden files enables Ccleaner and other programs as Ad aware and SpyBot  to scan areas of the PC which would not otherwise be scanned.  
I can understand Windows protecting files from inexperienced users like myself; but why should Windows block useful programs from accessing those files or protect temporary files at all?
 ;D

Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 23, 2006, 12:55:32 PM
Quote
Quote
Only one thing. Don't delete the cookies in the temp internet files folder. You can, but if you do, the internet will "forget" your passwords and you'll have to enter them again. But other than that pain, there's nothing to worry about. :)
First off; this statement went right over my head.  Though I generally keep a hand written list of passwords; if you could ellaborate some; as I'd like to understand the context.

OK. In the "Temporary Internet Files" folder, there are a bunch of pictures, a bunch of other stuff, and a large number of text files. These text files are called "cookies", and they save information such as logins, passwords, places you've been, etc. Removing these cookies will cause any automatically saved passwords to need to be entered again.

Example: I am logged into ComputerHope "For keeps". However, if I delete the cookies, I get logged out of all sites and I have to log in again.

Did that make it more clear?
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: TomTW on April 23, 2006, 01:53:13 PM
Yes it explains an aspect of cookies which I have not heard before.  Though I have never been to another sight where one can sign in "For keeps".  It also opens up an area of interest  to turn my attention. Thanks.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Saidrich on April 23, 2006, 02:56:56 PM
From my understanding, deleting temp files, history, cookies etc. using windows only deletes the referance to these files. If you go into dos you will see they are all still in you computer. I'm not sure how to completly delete them from your pc. Try deltree?
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 23, 2006, 09:05:05 PM
No, that would be bad. You can physically go to the folder, just make it so you can see hidden files. Once you can (Toold > Folder options > View), go to your Documents and Settings\yourname\Local settings\Temporary internet files. Then delete the cookies if you want. They will be gone.

Or, if you want, I'll write a batch file to erase everything in the temp. internet files folder, but I'd need to know your OS to be certain how.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: TomTW on April 25, 2006, 02:10:17 AM
I’ve been using Ace Utilities to manage cookies; remove Junk files etc. I now use both Ccleaner and Ace Utilities; though I suspect they do much the same thing.

I was following Linda’s Computer shop advice at personal-computer-tutor.com when using search *.tmp,*.chk,~*.* to remove temp files. Being somewhat green when it comes to computers; I don't know much about  Dos to begin with.

And I’ve yet to learn to use batch files. Wikipidia.org’s free on line encyclopedia has been a great help with such terms; though I’m quite sure, without the help of sites like CH this PC would be hibernating in the trash right now.

My 2002 Gateway OS now has Windows XP pro sp2 with all updates
It has a small 20GB HD(ATA100  finally discovered this after four years.)
1 partition NTFS 512MB Ram
IE browser version 6.0.2900.2180
 Java’s JRE 1.5._6
 Mozilla set as default browser.
Mozilla has it’s own cookie manager which I’ve yet explore.
Several security programs; and Panda Antivirus.
I did the first clean install about three months ago.

I was surprised today; when it only took me several minutes to find MY Documents/Settings… by way of c:
The cookies folder has an Index.dat file
The temp folder has a jusched.log text document  
The Temp Internet files folder has
 + Content.IE5
it has another Index.dat file
and a subfolder  6FWNKYE4
has sbversionau2[1]text  

Right now this is more an exercise in learning how to work with such files; than to fix any problems.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: dl65 on April 25, 2006, 02:41:58 AM
 TomTW......  You might want to read how to configure CCleaner to get the most out of it ......   http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1144186359  

dl65  ::)
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 25, 2006, 08:27:47 AM
I'd recommend doing what dl65 suggests. However, if you want to learn the ways of the batch and DOS, I have a tutorial, a very lengthy one, that covers batch files and the rest of DOS: http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1145676951 If you're new to DOS, I would recommend reading through from the beginning when you have time. I will write the batch file today, and attach it when I am done. When I do this, you can open the .bat file with Notepad to see how it works (don't change anything!). To run it, double-click on it like a normal .exe file.
Title: Re: Deleting Temp files
Post by: Dilbert on April 25, 2006, 04:39:39 PM
If you're interested, I have it complete. It is attached and free for download. Run it by extracting it anywhere on the computer and double-clicking it. In the event of a problem, you are able to create an error log. If you do this, check your root directory of C: for a file with a .dil extension. Zip it, and attach the .zip in the next post (do this only if something went wrong).