Vista - Windowc temp directory

12-16-2007

Hello to all,

My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate.
Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some files,
some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc ....
Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be done
safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise.

André M. Landreau

12-16-2007

On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:04:40 +0100, André Landreau
<amlandreau@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

> Hello to all,
>
> My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate.
> Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some files,
> some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc ....
> Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be done
> safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise.

Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically.

The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create
temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should
delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons
it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it
never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically
clean out anything left there.

Also note that there are some program installations which work in two
steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and
rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and
needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's
done).

Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere
with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to
delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete
any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and
since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to)
delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open,
they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them
closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

12-16-2007

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Quote:

> Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically.
>
> The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create
> temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should
> delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons
> it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it
> never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically
> clean out anything left there.
>
> Also note that there are some program installations which work in two
> steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and
> rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and
> needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's
> done).
>
> Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere
> with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to
> delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete
> any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and
> since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to)
> delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open,
> they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them
> closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually.
>
>

Ken, I have a large number of log files in my temp directory that will
not delete through disk cleanup. They are "lpksetup-<date>.log. Any
ideas what's going on with this?

Vista home premium (32 bit)
3 gigs ram
--
Dave T.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time,
Because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

12-16-2007

On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:13:38 -0800, "Dave T." <davey@xxxxxx>
wrote:

Quote:

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
>

Quote:

> > Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically.
> >
> > The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create
> > temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should
> > delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons
> > it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it
> > never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically
> > clean out anything left there.
> >
> > Also note that there are some program installations which work in two
> > steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and
> > rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and
> > needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's
> > done).
> >
> > Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere
> > with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to
> > delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete
> > any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and
> > since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to)
> > delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open,
> > they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them
> > closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually.
> >
> >

>
> Ken, I have a large number of log files in my temp directory that will
> not delete through disk cleanup. They are "lpksetup-<date>.log. Any
> ideas what's going on with this?

Sorry, I'm not familiar with those.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

12-16-2007

André Landreau wrote:

Quote:

> Hello to all,
>
> My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate.
> Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some
> files, some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc ....
> Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be
> done safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise.
>
> André M. Landreau

When it comes to a directory called "Temp", everything is subject to
deletion at any time. I usually follow the following (no pun intended)
process:

1) Mark all files & folders and delete. Windows will tell you when a
file is in use and can't be deleted.
2) Reboot the machine
3) if no problems in a day or two, I empty the Recycle Bin.

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services

12-16-2007

Dave T. wrote:

Quote:

> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
>

Quote:

>> Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically.
>>
>> The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create
>> temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should
>> delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons
>> it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it
>> never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically
>> clean out anything left there.
>>
>> Also note that there are some program installations which work in two
>> steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and
>> rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and
>> needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's
>> done).
>>
>> Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere
>> with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to
>> delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete
>> any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and
>> since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to)
>> delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open,
>> they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them
>> closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually.
>>
>>

>
> Ken, I have a large number of log files in my temp directory that will
> not delete through disk cleanup. They are "lpksetup-<date>.log. Any
> ideas what's going on with this?
>
> Vista home premium (32 bit)
> 3 gigs ram

As Bruce indicated, they are generated by lpksetup.exe. IIRC correctly,
I stopped it by going to Task Scheduler and disabling or deleting the
scheduled task. I can't remember more than that, sorry.

I'm kind of surprised you can't delete them. IIRC, I was able to delete
them at will.. Try stopping that task and rebooting. If no luck deleting
them, try booting into Safe Mode and see if you can do it.

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services

12-16-2007

Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote:

Quote:

> As Bruce indicated, they are generated by lpksetup.exe. IIRC correctly,
> I stopped it by going to Task Scheduler and disabling or deleting the
> scheduled task. I can't remember more than that, sorry.
>
> I'm kind of surprised you can't delete them. IIRC, I was able to delete
> them at will.. Try stopping that task and rebooting. If no luck deleting
> them, try booting into Safe Mode and see if you can do it.
>

Thanks Hank. I deleted them manually and the reason I inquired about it
is that nothing in that temp folder would delete through disk cleanup.
The task scheduler shows it as "LPRemove", a system task that is
scheduled to run at each bootup. What are the consequences of disabling
that task? Odd, the task was scheduled to run once on 5/27/07 (the day I
got the computer), but is now scheduled to run at each boot session.
--
Dave T.

In the 60's, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now
the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

12-17-2007

Hi all,

Thanks to all of You for yout comments they were really usefull.
André M. Landreau

"André Landreau" <amlandreau@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3E157003-5626-47DE-ADC6-D3C743215FF1@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Hello to all,
>
> My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate.
> Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some files,
> some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc ....
> Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be done
> safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise.
>
> André M. Landreau

12-17-2007

Dave T. wrote:

Quote:

> Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote:
>

Quote:

>> As Bruce indicated, they are generated by lpksetup.exe. IIRC
>> correctly, I stopped it by going to Task Scheduler and disabling or
>> deleting the scheduled task. I can't remember more than that, sorry.
>>
>> I'm kind of surprised you can't delete them. IIRC, I was able to
>> delete them at will.. Try stopping that task and rebooting. If no luck
>> deleting them, try booting into Safe Mode and see if you can do it.
>>

>
> Thanks Hank. I deleted them manually and the reason I inquired about it
> is that nothing in that temp folder would delete through disk cleanup.
> The task scheduler shows it as "LPRemove", a system task that is
> scheduled to run at each bootup. What are the consequences of disabling
> that task? Odd, the task was scheduled to run once on 5/27/07 (the day I
> got the computer), but is now scheduled to run at each boot session.

I disabled mine a couple of months ago and I've yet to see any
consequences...

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services

12-16-2007	#1 (permalink)
André Landreau n/a posts	Windowc temp directory Hello to all, My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate. Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some files, some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc .... Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be done safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise. André M. Landreau
My System Specs

12-16-2007	#2 (permalink)
Ken Blake, MVP n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:04:40 +0100, André Landreau <amlandreau@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: > Hello to all, > > My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate. > Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some files, > some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc .... > Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be done > safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise. Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically. The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically clean out anything left there. Also note that there are some program installations which work in two steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's done). Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to) delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open, they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User Please Reply to the Newsgroup
My System Specs

12-16-2007	#3 (permalink)
Dave T. n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory Ken Blake, MVP wrote: Quote: > Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically. > > The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create > temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should > delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons > it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it > never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically > clean out anything left there. > > Also note that there are some program installations which work in two > steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and > rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and > needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's > done). > > Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere > with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to > delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete > any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and > since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to) > delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open, > they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them > closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually. > > Ken, I have a large number of log files in my temp directory that will not delete through disk cleanup. They are "lpksetup-<date>.log. Any ideas what's going on with this? Vista home premium (32 bit) 3 gigs ram -- Dave T. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, Because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
My System Specs

12-16-2007	#4 (permalink)
Ken Blake, MVP n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:13:38 -0800, "Dave T." <davey@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: > Ken Blake, MVP wrote: > Quote: > > Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically. > > > > The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create > > temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should > > delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons > > it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it > > never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically > > clean out anything left there. > > > > Also note that there are some program installations which work in two > > steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and > > rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and > > needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's > > done). > > > > Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere > > with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to > > delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete > > any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and > > since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to) > > delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open, > > they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them > > closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually. > > > > > > Ken, I have a large number of log files in my temp directory that will > not delete through disk cleanup. They are "lpksetup-<date>.log. Any > ideas what's going on with this? Sorry, I'm not familiar with those. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User Please Reply to the Newsgroup
My System Specs

12-16-2007	#5 (permalink)
Hank Arnold (MVP) n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory André Landreau wrote: Quote: > Hello to all, > > My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate. > Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some > files, some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc .... > Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be > done safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise. > > André M. Landreau When it comes to a directory called "Temp", everything is subject to deletion at any time. I usually follow the following (no pun intended) process: 1) Mark all files & folders and delete. Windows will tell you when a file is in use and can't be deleted. 2) Reboot the machine 3) if no problems in a day or two, I empty the Recycle Bin. -- Regards, Hank Arnold Microsoft MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
My System Specs

12-16-2007	#6 (permalink)
Hank Arnold (MVP) n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory Dave T. wrote: Quote: > Ken Blake, MVP wrote: > Quote: >> Yes, they can, and should be, deleted periodically. >> >> The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create >> temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should >> delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons >> it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it >> never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically >> clean out anything left there. >> >> Also note that there are some program installations which work in two >> steps. The first step concludes by writing temporary files and >> rebooting. The second step starts automatically after rebooting and >> needs to find those files there (and then deletes them when it's >> done). >> >> Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere >> with installations like the kind I described), it's always safe to >> delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it's safe to delete >> any temp files that aren't open and in use by an application, and >> since Windows won't let you delete open files, it's safe to (try to) >> delete them at any time. If any fail to delete because they're open, >> they'll either be deleted automatically when the app using them >> closes, or you'll get them the next time you delete manually. >> >> > > Ken, I have a large number of log files in my temp directory that will > not delete through disk cleanup. They are "lpksetup-<date>.log. Any > ideas what's going on with this? > > Vista home premium (32 bit) > 3 gigs ram As Bruce indicated, they are generated by lpksetup.exe. IIRC correctly, I stopped it by going to Task Scheduler and disabling or deleting the scheduled task. I can't remember more than that, sorry. I'm kind of surprised you can't delete them. IIRC, I was able to delete them at will.. Try stopping that task and rebooting. If no luck deleting them, try booting into Safe Mode and see if you can do it. -- Regards, Hank Arnold Microsoft MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
My System Specs

12-16-2007	#7 (permalink)
Dave T. n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote: Quote: > As Bruce indicated, they are generated by lpksetup.exe. IIRC correctly, > I stopped it by going to Task Scheduler and disabling or deleting the > scheduled task. I can't remember more than that, sorry. > > I'm kind of surprised you can't delete them. IIRC, I was able to delete > them at will.. Try stopping that task and rebooting. If no luck deleting > them, try booting into Safe Mode and see if you can do it. > Thanks Hank. I deleted them manually and the reason I inquired about it is that nothing in that temp folder would delete through disk cleanup. The task scheduler shows it as "LPRemove", a system task that is scheduled to run at each bootup. What are the consequences of disabling that task? Odd, the task was scheduled to run once on 5/27/07 (the day I got the computer), but is now scheduled to run at each boot session. -- Dave T. In the 60's, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
My System Specs

12-17-2007	#8 (permalink)
André Landreau n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory Hi all, Thanks to all of You for yout comments they were really usefull. André M. Landreau "André Landreau" <amlandreau@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:3E157003-5626-47DE-ADC6-D3C743215FF1@xxxxxx Quote: > Hello to all, > > My laptop runs Windows Vista Ultimate. > Looking at the c:\windows\temp directory it lists 1060 items, some files, > some subdirectories. Lot of 0Kbits files etc .... > Under Win98 I would delete all that junk without problem. Can that be done > safely under Vista ? Thanks for advise. > > André M. Landreau
My System Specs

12-17-2007	#9 (permalink)
Hank Arnold (MVP) n/a posts	Re: Windowc temp directory Dave T. wrote: Quote: > Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote: > Quote: >> As Bruce indicated, they are generated by lpksetup.exe. IIRC >> correctly, I stopped it by going to Task Scheduler and disabling or >> deleting the scheduled task. I can't remember more than that, sorry. >> >> I'm kind of surprised you can't delete them. IIRC, I was able to >> delete them at will.. Try stopping that task and rebooting. If no luck >> deleting them, try booting into Safe Mode and see if you can do it. >> > > Thanks Hank. I deleted them manually and the reason I inquired about it > is that nothing in that temp folder would delete through disk cleanup. > The task scheduler shows it as "LPRemove", a system task that is > scheduled to run at each bootup. What are the consequences of disabling > that task? Odd, the task was scheduled to run once on 5/27/07 (the day I > got the computer), but is now scheduled to run at each boot session. I disabled mine a couple of months ago and I've yet to see any consequences... -- Regards, Hank Arnold Microsoft MVP Windows Server - Directory Services
My System Specs

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