Deep Cleaning Temporary Files in Windows XP

Temporary files are used by our computers to provide behind the scenes speed and function. When we use any program from Solitaire to programming a database, our computers are performing hundreds or thousands of duties behind the scenes...creating, modifying, and sometimes deleting files.

The files left behind are known as temporary files. Temporary files are just that; temporary and expendable. Thousands of them can stack up over time taking up valuable space and slowing your computer.

Since Windows 98, Microsoft has provided us a great little tool called Disk Cleanup. Disk Cleanup can delete Temporary Internet Files, Temporary Windows files and more all in one easy to use utility. Disk Cleanup can be found by:

1. Click Start
2. Click Programs (All Programs)
3. Click Accessories
4. Click System Tools
5. Click Disk Cleanup

You can also get to Disk Cleanup by RIGHT clicking your hard drive icon in the My Computer window or Windows Explorer, then clicking Properties.

Check all the boxes for the items that you want to clean out of your system (all of them are expendable). Next, click OK and all those files will be swept away.

This tool does a good job and is included in Windows, but it does leave behind some extra temporary files that you should delete every 4-6 weeks.

To keep temporary Internet files from getting out of control read our tip here on limiting the disk space devoted to these files.

Two third party tools we like make sure that all temporary files are deleted:

CleanUp!
CCleaner

Both are free and work great. However, if you are a tinkerer and don't mind getting your hands a little dirty, the steps below teach you how to deep clean your system yourself without extra tools.

WARNING - These steps require extreme attention to detail. Please do not attempt if you don't feel comfortable performing these advanced steps.

To find and delete the temp files that the Windows Disk Cleanup doesn't get, follow these steps:

1. Double-click "My Computer" from the desktop or click on it in your Start menu.
2. Double-click the "C" drive (your hard drive)
3. Click Tools --> Folder Options from the menus
4. Click the View tab
5. Find and click the circle that says 'show hidden files'
6. Click OK
7. Double-click Documents & Settings
8. Double-click your computer user name (may be owner or registered user in some cases)
9. Double-click the "Local Settings" folder
10. Double-click the "Temp" folder
11. Click Edit --> Select All from the menus
12. Push Delete on your keyboard
13. Click Yes
14. Click the "Back" button on the toolbar
15. Double-click the "Temporary Internet Files" folder
16. Click Edit --> Select All from the menus
17. Push Delete on your keyboard
18. Click Yes
19. Close the Window and then empty the recycle bin.

Again, if you don't feel comfortable following these directions, consult a computer technician who can help you.

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