Vista - Failed ZIPs taking up space

So, I just tried using the Windows-native compression to zip a VIDEO_TS folder 4.35GB in size. The first attempt stalled on the last file with "10 Seconds" remaining, so I canceled it. After a system restart I tried again, this time receiving a "Low Disk Space" error. I found this odd since at my last check the system disk had over 8GB free and a zipped 4.35GB folder can't possibly exceed that. So I did a Disk Cleanup, which freed roughly 2.5GB of space, including temp files; this left 5.8GB free, still down from my initial free space. I tried once more, and received the same "Low Disk Space" error. Now the system disk shows 3.23GB free, yet there is nothing I can eliminate with Disk Cleanup.

So, after three failed ZIP attempts, my system disk is missing ~4.5GB of disk space. I have to assume this is due to Windows not cleaning up its temporary files after each failed attempt. Does anyone know where Windows keeps such temp files so I can purge them? Also, is there any way to change where Windows compiles ZIPs like you can with Special Folders? Thanks for any help.

Hello DKqwerty,

This tutorial will help show you how to clear you temp files.

Temporary Files - Temp Folder

I hope this helps,
Shawn

Damn, has anyone told you you're one sexy individual!? If not, consider it rectified:
You're sexy!

Thanks again Shawn.

While I've got you: any idea why Windows would throw a low disk error while zipping something 4.35GB in size if there's at least 8GB free?

LOL, you're welcome DKqwerty.

Within that 8GB of free space is also allocated reserved space used by Vista for such things as the page file, shadow copy, system restore, etc... This would be normal when you get down this low.

If you have SP1 installed and have not already used the SP1 Disk Cleanup Tool, then this can free up a small chunk of space for now for you.