Vista - Disk Cleanup - Last Access Limit on Temp Files

   Information

By default Disk Cleanup cannot delete Vista and Windows 7 temporary files unless they have not been accessed in at least 7 days.

This will show you how to be able to delete these temporary files using Disk Cleanup regardless of their last accessed date.

   Tip

To see how to use Disk Cleanup to clear the Vista Temporary Files, see METHOD ONE here: How to Clear Vista Temporary Files in the Temp Folder

   Warning

You will still not be able to delete a temporary file if it is currently use.

1. For No Last Access Date -

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

No_Last_Access_Date.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Restore Default Last Access Date -
NOTE: The default time is 7 days with no access to the file before Disk Cleanup will delete the temp files.

A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.

Default_Last_Access_Date.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (See screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Files

4. For No Last Access Date -

A) In the right pane, right click on LastAccess and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

B) Type 0 (number zero) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)

D) Go to step 6.

5. To Restore Default Last Access Date -
NOTE: The default time is 7 days with no access before Disk Cleanup will delete the temp files.

A) In the right pane, right click on LastAccess and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

B) Type 7 and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 4B )
NOTE: The registry will now look like the screenshot under step 3.

6. Close regedit.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.