A gig of temp internet files! Holy crap batman.

May 7, 2005 11:19 PM

I am attempting to clean up the parents' computer, as I do every trip home. I am having a problem with the temporary internet files.

When I right click to show the properties on the Temp Internet Files folder, it shows that it contains over 100,000 files in the folder (eating up a gig of space!). When I open the folder it takes a very long time and when it's finally finished opening, nothing is inside. I have hidden files showing. I don't know what else could be causing this. Google has not helped me. Running Windows XP.

posted by chiababe to computers & internet (7 comments total)

Try CCleaner, a freeware cleanup utility. With CCleaner, you can analyze the computer before you run the removal to see how much data will be deleted. It would also help if you run cleanup programs in Safe Mode.
posted by Psionic_Tim at 12:13 AM on May 8, 2005

Start > Control Panel > Folder Options > View
uncheck Advanced Settings > Hide Protected Operating System Files
posted by grouse at 1:33 AM on May 8, 2005

You could alternatively try to delete temporary internet files via your browser's settings.
posted by nthdegx at 3:23 AM on May 8, 2005

Try a free utility like this.
posted by pracowity at 4:19 AM on May 8, 2005

And the Disk Cleanup utility that comes with Windows XP will also delete these files. I'm sure those other utilities have many other uses, but if you are only trying to eliminate Temporary Internet Files you definitely do not need another piece of freeware junking up your system.

My method is nthdegx's, honestly, but I didn't say so because it didn't directly answer your question.
posted by grouse at 4:23 AM on May 8, 2005

How to Fix Mom's Computer.
posted by MLIS at 8:19 AM on May 8, 2005

Try CCleaner, a freeware cleanup utility. With CCleaner, you can analyze the computer before you run the removal to see how much data will be deleted. It would also help if you run cleanup programs in Safe Mode.

That's what I use and it works great.
posted by x_3mta3 at 1:05 PM on May 8, 2005