200GB worth of .cab files in temp folder - Can I delete them

I have a 10 year old build I did for a client. I have seen this before. I ran WinDirStat and the machine has over 200GB of mostly .CAB files in the temp folder (Windows/temp) Can I safely delete them. I'm a little out of practice, but they are just profile folders (i think) should be safe to delete......right?

Last time I saw this I forgot to run WinDirStat to find out what was taking up 300GB of space. I'll bet it was the same. I re-installed for the client last time, but I think CCleaner or just my "delete" button can get rid of these. I just deleted 10 GB I can restore from recycle bin. If it's still working tomorrow I'll just keep doing that!

Done "Disk Cleanup" but not Bare foot Kid's "Disk cleanup - extended" Tutorial. Nobody knows the admin password here....I'm really out of practice. It's been too long since I was building systems.

samuria said:

Cab files are basically zip files open a few see what they are any zip software should open them. Being in temp they should be safe to remove

I see. Thank you very much for answering. I always thought they were theme files, you are correct I'm sure. I'll whip out 7zip and see what they are. I left the client's home. I cleaned the dust out of it, ordered a RAM module for the empty slot I left 10 years ago, and will find out what the 220GB of .cab files are once the RAM gets delivered and I can go back.

It's been creating one every day since 2016. I got it running, but I've only seen this a couple of times. I'll post what creates them when I go back and find out.

Not too much info on this problem I could find on the forum, or anywhere online. (I'm sure the solution is online, but I haven't been able to find it) This is the #1 place for Windows 7 problems and good people. Thanks again

I looked through a LOT of files. It is from the update service (or that's how you fix it) The ones I remember were were 1 day apart, but they were large files. 170MB As I said, I saw over 200GB just in .cab files. I found the same story here and how he fixed it. It's not a real easy fix! This guy wrote a script for it, so it will stop doing it. I hope I don't need it but it might come to this! Looks just like the pic posted but slightly different file size.

The other time I saw this problem, it was on this man's daughter's computer I built the same year. 2009. I had to do a clean install on that one. Probably some virus the AV missed? I had the same AV on both???

How to Fix (Permanently): Hundreds of Cab_XXX Files in C:\Windows\Temp | www.infopackets.com

If anyone has an easier way or a way to make the instructions more clear, let me know. I'm not so good with command line and scripts. They make me nervous. Especially ones like this.

I do a weekly check on Temp files in the Windows directory & there are usually lots of CAB files amongst others. I go through & delete all the files that are dated yesterday & before, but leave the current date ones alone. You also need to be aware there may be browser installation files there if you have installed an additional browser. I use Opera & these files are there & if they are deleted it means having to download a new copy of Opera, so I leave any files relating to Opera alone. I do quick check to see if everything is still working properly then I empty the Recycle Bin of these redundant files.

Windows Disc Clean Up doesn't remove those files from the Windows Temp directory.

Ranger4 said:

I do a weekly check on Temp files in the Windows directory & there are usually lots of CAB files amongst others. I go through & delete all the files that are dated yesterday & before, but leave the current date ones alone. You also need to be aware there may be browser installation files there if you have installed an additional browser. I use Opera & these files are there & if they are deleted it means having to download a new copy of Opera, so I leave any files relating to Opera alone. I do quick check to see if everything is still working properly then I empty the Recycle Bin of these redundant files.

Windows Disc Clean Up doesn't remove those files from the Windows Temp directory.

Thanks for the reply! They do use Chrome. That could have something to do with it...It's not mine or I'd keep an eye on it and eventually fix it, but being at a business is different. I don't want to go back on my word. I built computers for a few years and told the customers I'd stand behind them for 10 years. It's been a little over 10 years since delivery! I told this guy I'd fix it, but if it keeps generating the .cab files THEY won't delete them. I'm afraid I'll have to fix the root problem. They are at a business and have specialized programs installed, needless to say, I'm ready to create an image, try the script this guy posted and see if it fixes it. A clean install would be more work for them getting all their programs back on......but, in my defense, it did last 10 years! I think if that script works he'll get another 3-4 out of it. Maybe more!

Thanks for the suggestion! Could help.

Yes I had a look at link you posted & it mentions you need to delete all files in the Windows Temp directory & then follow with the directions, so I am concerned about those Opera files I mentioned if that's where Opera stores them.

Hi nate42nd,

samuria said:

Try uncleaner it's really good if it gets rid of them there is an automatically clean option which will do it daily for Download UnCleaner - MajorGeeks

Further to samuria's post above, you will need .NET Framework v4.0 or higher to run it!