Deleting Temp Files in XP
Computers usually end up running slower because they need a bit of housecleaning now and again. Every time some programs are run, they create temp files that are stored in one of several locations on the hard drive, but there are two locations which concern us the most: the Documents and Settings directory, and the Windows Temp folder. These temp files are just that: temporary. When the program is closed, the temp file is left behind. Any benefit that we derive from leaving these files on the hard drive is lost by the effect that the accumulation of these files will have on the system. After enough files are collected, Windows will simply begin to slow down.
AUTOMATIC DISK CLEANUP
Windows XP has a Disk Cleanup feature that will automatically clean the unnecessary files that it can. However, in the case of a very slow machine that has not been cleaned out, I would do it by hand. To clean files using XP:
1. Click Start > My Computer.
2. Right-click the drive that you would like to clean. Click Properties.
3. Below the pie-graph of the drive, you will find a button called Disk Cleanup. Click that button.
4. A window will open stating that the computer is calculating the files that can be deleted and the space that will be gained. When that calculation is complete, another window will open with the list of items to be removed. Check or uncheck the items as desired, and click OK. Answer Yes to the Are You Sure? prompt. The cleanup will take place. You can then click OK to leave the drive properties window.
MANUAL DISK CLEANUP
To access and delete these temporary files by hand, it is best to start Windows in Safe Mode. Most of the files can be deleted in normal Windows, but some will not be able to be deleted, because they are in use by the system. Safe mode is a “basic mode” where Windows runs the minimum files to operate, with nothing running in the background. Go here to learn how to start in Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, Windows is running the bare essentials, and for the most part, temp files are not being written. This will allow you to delete them.
There are two locations in Windows XP that contain temp files: in the Documents and Settings folder, and in Windows\Temp.
1. Click Start > My Computer.
2. Click C: drive.
3. Click Documents and Settings.
4. Click the folder with the user name that you are using. If you have given the computer a name like “Joe’s Computer”, then that name would appear in this list. From now on, we will refer to this folder as username.
NOTE: If there are several users on this computer, and they have separate user accounts; i.e. Joe’s Computer, and Joe’s wife Mary has Mary’s Computer, there will be temp files in each of those user accounts in Windows XP.
NOTE: In order to access the folders that contain your temp files, you must enable Windows to show hidden files. Go here to learn about this option.
5. Find the folder named Local Settings and click it.
6. Click the Temp folder.
If you haven’t done any clean-up prior to this, there are probably at least hundreds of files in here. You don’t need any of them.
Up at the top of the window, in the File Menu (where it says “File Edit View…”etc.), click Edit, then Select All. All of the files in that folder will be highlighted. Take a deep breath, and click File > Delete. You will be asked if you are sure you want to send the gazillions of files to the Recycle Bin. Click Yes. There will be a progress bar, and eventually, all the files will go away.
Whew! Good job. You’re halfway there, and I’ll bet that the machine is starting to move a little faster already. Take a break, and we’ll move on to the other location where you will likely have temp files. I’ll wait…
That was fast. OK, let’s go to the Windows Temp folder. Getting there is half the fun.
1. Assuming that you are still in the C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp folder, look for the "Up" icon. It looks like this:
2. Click that “Up” icon four, count ‘em, 4 times. As you do that, you will notice that your directory structure that is displayed will step up, and that after the fourth time hitting that button, you should be at the root of the C: drive. If the address bar says something other than C:\, you can either continue up or, if you are back at My Computer, click the C: drive again to get back to where you belong.
3. In the C: drive, click the Windows folder.
4. The folders in Windows should be in alphabetical order. Look for and click on the Temp folder.
5. Using the same technique as before, select Edit, then Select All. All of the files in that folder will again be highlighted. click File > Delete, answer Yes, and they will be deleted.
That’s it for the main Temp items on your hard drive. You can now close any windows that are open by clicking the “X” in the upper right-hand corner of each one.
A WORD ABOUT WINDOWS UPDATE
You have been keeping your computer updated with Windows Update, haven't you? Say what you will about Microsoft, but when it comes to updates, it's imperative that Windows Update be run often. Currently, Microsoft is offering monthly updates. What I want to discuss is deleting temp files from these updates. If updates have been installed and all is well, the downloaded files from these updates can be deleted.
To do this, go to C:/Windows. Since you’ve probably done this already from the above instructions, you should know how. If not, go to Start > My Computer> C: > Windows. If you have folders labeled in blue starting with $ signs, looking like the one below, those are the update files.
To delete these, select them individually or as a group, and delete them.
EMPTY THE RECYCLE BIN
The temp files are out of your directory structure in Windows, but they are still taking up space on your hard drive. They are in the Recycle Bin. Locate the Recycle Bin on your desktop, right-click it, and select Empty Recycle Bin. Answer Yes, and your trash is out at the curb.