by Thomas Walters

Created on: August 06, 2009

The deletion of temporary files in Windows Vista is easier than you may think. For starters there is a built in utility for the job. The utility is known as 'Disk Cleanup'. If you go to the start menu and search for disk cleanup you will be presented with a link to the program and away you go! The utility will scan the drive you select and retrieve all the files it knows to be temporary - namely those with a .tmp file extension. There are however other types of temporary file so it is important to use this utility to find the one without that extension.

Furthermore you can access your temporary files folder by searching '%temp%' in the start menu search bar. This will automatically find your temporary files folder. When it opens you can feel free to select all and delete. You may find that you are unable to delete some as the files are being used by other programs - in this case just click cancel - it isn't likely that you will be able to delete every file as many applications use this folder to store temporary information. This folder is the default location for the storage of temporary files. It's most common use is for the storage of temporary internet files utilized by your browser, therefore if you attempt to delete all the files with a browser open you will fail to clear as many files as if the browser was closed.

If the use of the disk cleanup utility and the deletion of all files in the temp folder just isn't enough then you can delve into the world of the deletion of temporary internet files (if you have already deleted these files using the disk cleanup utility there will be no need for this step). The way to do this is to clear the history, cache and cookies of your browser, such commands are browser specific and so for instructions try a simple internet search of a phrase such as "Clear firefox history". Such a search will render results with plenty of relevant information.

Downloaded files are also another area of temporary files that can usually be deleted. If for example you have downloaded the latest version of the Flash player plug-in then, provided you have installed it, you will be able to delete it. Other such installers and files that you have no need of that you have downloaded can also be deleted.

Lastly remember the importance of emptying the recycle bin. After all you won't really be deleting your temporary files in Windows Vista if you don't empty the recycle bin.

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