Windows XP and Temp Folders

[Jason Reed]

I usually try to keep my temp folder managed in my user profile on my laptop. It is amazing how many computer programs don't actually clean up their temp files.

Today I decided instead of doing it the old fashion way of CTRL + A then SHIFT + DEL over and over again (get stopped because some files are still in use) I would work on an application to clean it for me (and just to ignore those files that are in use).

So I started looking into how to access the Temp folder a little better and then I noticed that there are two system variables for Windows XP to handle temp.

One is assigned for my user which makes sense since I thought it stored everything under my temp folder. Then I noticed under the System side there is one to C:\Windows\Temp.

Now I can only guess that this is for services that run under "Local System" permissions and such.

Now the question I have is is it safe to enter the C:\Windows\Temp directory and delete files?

[wrack]

Yes you can totally delete the C:\Windows\Temp directory.