Deleted Temporary Files in Disc Cleanup - Was This Wrong?

[woodbine]

Earlier I used the Windows disc cleanup to clean my C Drive. I have just viewed a video on Youtube about optimising PCs, and he said not to check the box to remove temporary files as it causes problems. As I have removed them, what are the likely consequences?

Also, I had a look at restore points in case I wanted to go back so that the temp files could be reinstated. Strangely, there aren't any dates for restore points. Does this mean that by cleaning up the temp files, I have also removed restore points? Should I set up a restore point now?

 

[Layback Bear]

Disk Cleanup is safe to use. I use Disk Cleanup several times a week.
Disk Cleanup does not remove Restore Points.
Disk Cleanup has never caused any problems for me.
Disk Cleanup is a Windows 7 built in tool. Windows does not like or want to hurt Windows.

I would suggest you set your Restore Point volume to 5% and create a Restore Point.

**How much free space do you have on your "C" partition?**

 

[UsernameIssues]

It is rare that removing temp files creates a problem. Some apps (like CCleaner) will (by default) only delete "old" temp files. But again, you should not see any problems after removing temp files. Any app that keeps important files in a temp folder is a poorly written app.

It won't hurt to manually create a system restore point.

I'll let others speak to the impact (if any) of disk cleanup on system restore points.
edit: I see that Layback Bear has already addressed that issue.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks for your quick replies. So, by checking the box and cleaning out my 'Temporary Files', I haven't removed anything important, Windows or otherwise? On the cleanup facility, are there recommended boxes to check and uncheck, or is it safe to check all?

Can you tell me how to set a restore point volume, please. Also, why are there no restore points? There were some a few days ago when I had to use one for something else.

As for C Drive, I have used 87GB from a total of 140GB.

 

[Callender]

By default Disk Cleanup doesn't delete important temp files (new files created within 7 days)

See here to change that behavior if required:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...-directory-automatic-cleanup.html#post2715166

 

[Layback Bear]

To the best of my knowledge, Windows 7 built in Disk Cleanup does not delete temp files that Windows 7 needs. Windows 7 tries it's best to protect itself.

CCleaner when set to default will not delete temps until they are 24 hours old.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Woodbine,
Disk clean can clear restore points, its part of the secondary option, Clean up System files.
You can select the size of the restore folder from here, see screenshot
Volumn shadow copy needs to be active as well,
check via Control panel >> Admin Tools >> services

Depending on which browser you use, there are in-built options to clear data at certain points.


Roy

 

[Layback Bear]

Yes their are methods to clean Restore Points if one cares to.
I have never had Disk Cleanup do such a thing.

 

[torchwood]

Hi
LBB allways used it, no problems at all.

Do the same on my W10 TP's, getting rid of the "old" files, after enabling it

Roy

 

[UsernameIssues]

...by checking the box and cleaning out my 'Temporary Files', I haven't removed anything important, Windows or otherwise? On the cleanup facility, are there recommended boxes to check and uncheck, or is it safe to check all?

I say that it is safe to put a check by every box in the Disk Cleanup tool; even if you run the tool as admin (which offers more to check). If there was an important temp file for some 3rd party app, then that app should let you know that a file can not be found. You can always install that app again

why are there no restore points? There were some a few days ago when I had to use one for something else.

I have no idea what happened to your restore points.

Hi Woodbine,
Disk clean can clear restore points, its part of the secondary option, Clean up System files....

I am unable to get the Disk Cleanup tool to remove system restore points - even ones that are from last year.

 

[Digital Life]

I have just viewed a video on Youtube about optimising PCs, and he said not to check the box to remove temporary files as it causes problems. As I have removed them, what are the likely consequences?

The only thing you will see on YouTube that is true is the amazing things cats can do. Take everything else with a grain of salt.

 

[woodbine]

I have just viewed a video on Youtube about optimising PCs, and he said not to check the box to remove temporary files as it causes problems. As I have removed them, what are the likely consequences?

The only thing you will see on YouTube that is true is the amazing things cats can do. Take everything else with a grain of salt.

Yes, right on two points; Youtube + large cellar of salt, and feline tomfoolery.

Also, just checked my system restore. Firstly, it is already set to 5% so no adjustments needed. Secondly, a new list of restore points seems to be building up, so all is well.

 

[LMiller7]

Deleting temporary files can cause problems but this is most likely to happen when deleting them manually with Windows Explorer or similar utility. An example would be deleting temporary files created by a currently running program.

Disk Cleanup is quite conservative in what it deletes, as it must be. It does not delete all temporary files. The typical Windows user knows little of computers and does not want to learn so aggressive deletion of files would be dangerous. Of course you must use common sense. Checking the "Recycle Bin" option may delete files you may want to recover.

YouTube is hardly an authority in anything. Anyone can post videos about anything, whether they have knowledge of the subject matter or not. I have seen videos that are not only wrong, but dangerously wrong.

Edit: Using Disk Cleanup is about as safe as can reasonably be expected. But safety is always relative. Nothing in this world is absolutely 100% safe.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks LMiller7. I'm in the 'knows little of computers' category, so occasionally prey to doom-mongers. You've helped set my mind at rest.

 

[alphaniner]

According to HTG, Disk Cleanup only removes temp files that are a week or more old by default.