Disk cleanup, difference between temp file options + concerns

MajorFoley · 15 Feb 2015

Hey guys, im kinda confused how these 2 differentiate. I know that programs use temp files to load faster and sometimes refuse to delete on computer shutdown so its not my problem there.

My problem is what is the difference between temp files and temporary internet files? Is temporary internet files only for Internet explorer or is it for all web browsers?

Do other web browsers such as firefox use temp files? (I don't want to delete cookies histories, favorites, tabs etc) I ask because I have a 10GB temp folder.

My other 2 concerns are windows update cleanup and system error crash dump. Is it safe to remove those via disk cleanup or should I use another program? (ive heard some people say that even after selecting their options certain files/folders still remain

Ranger4 · 16 Feb 2015

Temp files are temporary files that are used for programs that are loaded on your computer.

Temp Internet files are files used by Internet Browsers & are kept separate from the computer temp files. All browsers as far as I know use temp internet files.

Widows Disc Clean up can be used for cleaning up Windows Updates & Error Crash Dump files & it usually does a good job. I use about once a week if the file build up is large, but I always leave all the recent Windows Updates for a week or so before doing a clean up. I also get rid of the Crash Dump ones as well at the same time.

If you just run Win Disc Clean up it does not clean up Windows Updates or the Crash Dump ones, but it will show the temp & internet temp files that can be cleaned up if you wish. To clean these up you can use Run as Administrator to start it & it will list the Win Update & Crash Dump files that will be cleaned up.

RolandJS · 16 Feb 2015

Elsewhere, it's mentioned to not delete the folders, only the contents within the folders.

ThrashZone · 16 Feb 2015

Hi,
It's kind of disturbing that you have 10gb's of temp files

As stated programs often store recovery files in the temp location/ photoshop/ corel products/....

If your machine is working well it's more than safe to remove the outdated windows updates.

RolandJS · 17 Feb 2015

ccleaner's advanced options, free or fee version, can be set to delete contents of temp folders whenever ccleaner's invoked. Naturally be choosy as to which temp folders' contents one is deleting.