Run %

Hi, never have had to post before,, could always find answers in the search option. not this time.

I had windows 98 before vista and I remember being able to go to the run box and type in a combination of % sign and something else to bring up a bunch of stuff that was just sitting there taking up space and being able to delete what wasn't nessasary. I can not remember the command for this. Am I even able to do it on the new vista format? Thanks for any help..

margo100 said:

Hi, never have had to post before,, could always find answers in the search option. not this time.

I had windows 98 before vista and I remember being able to go to the run box and type in a combination of % sign and something else to bring up a bunch of stuff that was just sitting there taking up space and being able to delete what wasn't necessary. I can not remember the command for this. Am I even able to do it on the new vista format? Thanks for any help..

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Hello, and welcome to the Vista Forums!

That would be %Temp%. This is not the best way to deal with old and useless temp files, TFC is. On a new install, you will not remove much, but on an older install, this program can remove a LOT of junk which is just taking up space. Try to run this program about once a month. Don't do it more frequently. Some people become obsessed with cleaning up. This becomes bad, and they delete more and more. Eventually they do it to files which are in use, and so can damage the system. They also clean out certain caches which are not designed to be cleaned out, and this actually slows the system down as it has to re-generate all this information again, and again, and again.

Every month is more than necessary, but is fine. Do not become obsessed with cleaning! Excessive cleaning is bad. Anyway:

TFC (Temp File Cleaner) - Download here or here - Homepage
Why? This will remove unneeded temporary files from your system, make automated scans that follow run faster, and save you time. Many infections also load from a temporary file location.

• Download TFC to your desktop, or other location.
• Save any unsaved work. TFC will close all open application windows.
• Double-click TFC.exe to run the program.
• If prompted, click "Yes" to reboot.

Save your work. TFC will automatically close any open programs, let it run uninterrupted. It shouldn't take longer take a couple of minutes, and may only take a few seconds. Only if needed will you be prompted to reboot.

Hope this helps!

Richard