Disk Cleanup - Last Access Limit on Temp Files

Set Disk Cleanup to Delete Temporary Files Less than a Week Old in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

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

This tutorial will show you how to be able to delete these temporary files using Disk Cleanup regardless of their last accessed date in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Tip   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   Warning
You will still not be able to delete a temporary file if it is currently use.

EXAMPLE: Disk Cleanup Temporary Files Option
Disk_Cleanup.jpg





OPTION ONE
Using a REG File Download

1. For No Last Access Date
A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.​
No_Last_Access_Date.reg
download

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
download

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.​





OPTION TWO
Manually in Registry Editor

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)​
Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Files
Reg1.jpg

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)​
Modify.jpg

C) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)​
Reg2.jpg

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.​
That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Default_Last_Access_Date.reg
    352 bytes · Views: 1,151
  • No_Last_Access_Date.reg
    352 bytes · Views: 1,759
  • Maintenance.png
    Maintenance.png
    43.9 KB · Views: 324
Last edited:
Hi Shawn,
I tried both methods listed to remove temporary files and they are still there. Do I still have to wait 7 days before they can be deleted ?:confused:
 

My Computer

Hi Jodibacco, and welcome to Vista Forums.

This will not remove the temp files, but will only set them to be able to be removed.

This tutorial will show you how to remove them instead. However, the same temp files may still show back up if Vista loads it again for use.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/104637-temporary-files-temp-folder.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

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    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    Windows 10 Pro
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    17.3" UHD IPS touch
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