Vista Tutorial - Temporary Files - Temp Folder

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Clear Vista Temporary Files in the Temp Folder

Information

The Temp folder is where Vista and programs sometimes store temporary files. Sometimes these files are not deleted after Vista or the program is finished with them. This can cause the temp folder to fill up with junk temp files which may cause Vista to take longer to access the Temp folder and create a slight delay.

NOTE

The Vista Temp folder is located at:

C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local\Temp

WARNING

While it is safe to delete these files, it is best not to do this while installing or uninstalling anything.

Tip

CCleaner is a free program that is great at keeping the temporary files cleaned up and more.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Vista User Account Temp Folder

METHOD ONE:
Through Disk Cleanup

NOTE

Disk Cleanup will only delete Temporary files that have not been modified in 7 days. To clear everything, see METHOD TWO below, or How to Set Disk Cleanup to Delete Vista Temporary Files Less than a Week Old .

1. Open Disk Cleanup.

2. Check Temporary files. (See screenshot below)

3. Click on OK.

4. Click on Delete Files to confirm the action.

METHOD TWO:
Manually Clear the Temp Folder

NOTE

The Temp folder is located at the hidden system folder:

C:\Users\(Your Username)\AppData\Local\Temp

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type %temp% and press Enter.
NOTE: This opens the Temp folder.

3. Delete anything you want in this folder. (See screenshots below step 4)

WARNING

When you delete the Low folder, it can prevent you from printing from IE7. To fix this, close all IE7 windows and reopen IE7 to recreate the Low folder. You can also manually fix this by recreating the Low folder in the Temp folder below, open a elevated command prompt, then type:

icacls C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Local\Temp\Low /setintegritylevel (OI)(CI)low

and press Enter.

NOTE

If you receive a File In Use error message while the files are being deleted, then this just means that one of the temp files is in use by a program right now. Click Skip to continue deleting the other files, then close all open programs, and repeat the steps above. If you still receive the message, then restart the computer or logoff and logon, and repeat the process again. (See screenshot below)

4. Close the Temp folder when done.

That's it,
Shawn

Nerone · 01-18-2008

the shortcut through the start menu is damn cool!

thx man!

**Brink** · 01-18-2008

Hello Nerone, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You're welcome. Glad you like it.

Shawn

**.Joe** · 03-14-2008

Excellent tutorial Shawn. Keep up the great work

**Brink** · 03-14-2008

Thank you .Joe.

rajah · 07-13-2008

Just tried some of your tips and am pleased with the results. Thanks mate!

**Brink** · 07-13-2008

You're welcome Rajah. I'm happy to hear so.

Shawn

**VistaKing** · 07-13-2008

When I delete the files inside the Temp folder I can't print from IE after words. Cause the Low FOLDER is deleted .

**Brink** · 07-13-2008

Hi VistaKing,

Logging off and on, or restarting the computer, will have Vista automatically replace the folder. I will add a note to the tutorial to warn others of this.

Thank you,
Shawn

UPDATE:
Just close and reopen IE7 to recreate the Low folder.

**VistaKing** · 07-13-2008

	Quote:	Brink
	Hi VistaKing, Logging off and on, or restarting the computer, will have Vista automatically replace the folder. I will add a note to the tutorial to warn others of this. Thank you, Shawn

Shawn,

Let me try that and I will let you know about the results