Temp internet files

[Matthew Cannon]

On my PC we have several different profiles (users).

In windows\profiles\userxyz\temp internet files there is about 1mb of files
if I total the individual file sizes. However, if I look at the folder's
properties it shows a size of 133mb - why?!

How can I view/find/delete these files (if they exist?)

Thanks,
Matt

[Bert Kinney]

Have you tried right clicking on the IE icon on the desktop
and pick properties then "Delete Files"?
I am not sure if this will remove all the files for all profiles
but it worth a try.

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://members.home.com/dts-l/

"Matthew Cannon" wrote

[Gary S. Terhune]

The TIF folders are a strange breed, with lots of smoke & mirrors. Using Internet Settings from within a certain user profile should empty that Profile's TIF folder (leaving an Index.DAT file that may remain hidden even with "Show All Files" enabled.) This Index.dat file appears to not want to shrink in size. When the files it indexes are deleted, it will often replace their entries in Index.dat with placeholder characters. And there's more weirdness, but I won't go into it. Suffice it to say that it is almost impossible to determine *anything* in the way of accurate info about TIF(s) from Windows Explorer, and only slightly more easy in DOS.

There are three practices I would suggest:

1. Get and use CacheSentry. Rather than post a link, I suggest you look it up using Google.com. David Pochran's home site often exceeds its bandwidth limit and you have to download it from elsewhere. Not only does CacheSentry manage the TIF better, it fixes one or two bugs in the Index.dat situation. Be sure to read and follow instructions completely. I don't leave CacheSentry running, I schedule an hourly, "quiet" running, or have it run once at startup. Otherwise it can slow down startups of IE and, particularly, OE.

2. When you empty TIFs using Internet Settings (which is the *only* legitimate way to do so while Windows is running--don't try managing the TIFs from within Windows Explorer), make sure to include "Offline files" in the delete operation if prompted to do so--even if you can't imagine why, because you never save files for Offline Browsing. Trust me, it needs to be done.

3. To reset the TIFs entirely, you need to use DELTREE in DOS. First, to make it easy, Run MSCONFIG. Click the *Advanced* button, enable the "Startup Menu". click OK, restart your computer. At the Startup Menu, choose Command Prompt Only. Then, assuming your Windows directory is C:\Windows:

smartdrv
cd windows
deltree tempor~1 (Check for correctness, then confirm at prompt.)
cd profiles
cd {profilename1}
deltree tempor~1
cd .. (cd, space, two periods)
cd {profilename2}
deltree tempor~1

Etcetera. Exact location of the TIF folders may vary. It's wise to have them listed ahead of time. Use "cd" to change directories to a sub-folder of the one you are in, "cd .." to go up one level. Be *sure* to load smartdrv first, or this operation may take several hours instead of several minutes! I don't like to use extended paths in this kind of procedure--too much chance for error.

Use Ctrl-Alt-Del to reboot and the various TIFs will be recreated at first logon for each user. I don't *think* C:\Windows\All Users has a TIF folder, but it's wise to check.
--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Matthew Cannon" <cannon_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:9p21uc$ep2$1...@plutonium.btinternet.com...

[Matthew Cannon]

I have found a solution!!!

Using Start - Find I searched for files in TIF. I found a folder called
Content.IE5. This folder is 133mb - I presume I can delete the contents???

I don't know why I can't view this normally!

Matt
"Gary S. Terhune" <grys...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OXC$NEESBHA.1900@tkmsftngp04...

[Matthew Cannon]

I think this could explain the disc space options - but I don't think so.

Any suggestions as to how I can view the file - the only way I can see
it/its contents is by clicking browse in find, selecting content.ie5 and
then pressing search???

Matt

"Gary S. Terhune" <grys...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OXC$NEESBHA.1900@tkmsftngp04...

[Gary S. Terhune]

Please read what I wrote previously, again. The entire Temporary Internet Files folder is a mess of smoke & mirrors. What you see is definitely not what you get. Your best course of action is to *stay_out_of_the_TIF_folder*!

Yes, I could explain the structures in detail, but I really don't think you'd understand what I have to say if you haven't understood what I've already said. The only way to accurately "see* what is inside the TIF directory is in DOS. And even that method is not particularly straight-forward.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Matthew Cannon" <cannon_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:9p2tii$1v7$1...@uranium.btinternet.com...

[Matthew Cannon]

Sorry - I did read what you said but I didn't understand it! I think I'll
just accept that the TIF is a 'a mess of smoke & mirrors' and stay out!!!

My real question is: Can I delete the contents of the Content.IE5 folder
thet I found?

Thanks for all your help - it makes me realise how little I know!!!

Matt
"Gary S. Terhune" <grys...@mvps.org> wrote in message

news:uua#EaLSBHA.2080@tkmsftngp04...

[Henri Leboeuf]

Have you tried the following way.

Tools/Internet Options/Delete files
Check the button Delete all Offline Content.

and see How much space you will retrieve.

--

Henri Leboeuf
Web page: http://www.generation.net/~hleboeuf/index.htm

"Matthew Cannon" <cannon_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:9p4g5b$7dn$1...@plutonium.btinternet.com...

[Gary S. Terhune]

I'm sorry, but don't you see the contradiction? Content.IE5 is a sub-directory of Temporary Internet Files. How can you stay out of the TIF folder and still delete Content.IE5? In any case, the answer to your question is "Yes, you can delete the files from any one of those folders, and they will be gone...But that isn't the *correct* way to do it and can cause *problems*!"

The Content.IE5 folder *is* the TIF folder..... Oh, OK, I'll try an explanation.

There isn't really anything in the \Temporary Internet Files\ folder except one sub-directory, \Content.IE5\ .

There is only one file in the \Content.IE5\ directory, Index.dat, which is just that--an index of all of the files in the TIF system, catalogued and arranged to allow some logical routine or another to decide when and what to delete when the cache reaches maturity and downloaded files need to start being deleted in order to make room for newer content.

The actual files in the TIF system are stored in sub-directories of the Content.IE5 directory, all with totally nonsense names. This is for the purposes of security (don't ask me, I don't know the logic behind this arrangement.) The larger your TIF, the more of these directories will be created.

The files you "see" when you open \Temporary Internet Files\ in Windows Explorer aren't really there. What you "see" is a reflection of the files (most of them, anyway) that are actually located in the sub-directories with nonsense names.

The files you "see" when you open the Content.IE5 folder in Windows Explorer aren't really there. The only file that is really there, Index.dat (which is only one of several Index.dat files on your computer, BTW) can't be seen because it is "Super-Hidden". You can pull it up in DOS or using Find, but you can't find by browsing through Windows Explorer. And you can't delete it while Windows is running because it is in use. Always.

Only *some* of the files you "see" in any one of the individual gobbledy-gook-named sub-directories of Content.IE5 are actually in that sub-directory. What you "see" is, again, a reflection of ALL of the contents of the TIF cache--except, of course, Index.dat.

And there's more......

So, please, please stay out of the TIF folder, and that means stay out of it's sub-folders, too. Yes, you *can* delete files from those folders in Windows Explorer, and yes, they will really be gone--most of them. Yes, you can open files directly from the TIF folder or its sub-folders--but it's not a good idea. Strange things *can* happen. If you want to save a file from that system and/or open it, do just that--copy it to a different, completely separate folder.

If you want to clear the cache, do it using the appropriate buttons in Internet Settings. If you want to delete the TIF Index.dat file and/or the TIF folder and/or any of its sub-folders, do it in DOS, the way I explained.

If you have Profiles set up on your machine, the situation only gets more complicated. You may get lucky, wandering around in Windows Explorer and deleting this or that, but you are more likely to cause problems than to solve any.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Matthew Cannon" <cannon_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:9p4g5b$7dn$1...@plutonium.btinternet.com...

[PA Bear]

Give this man a drink, he's earned it! This is one of the best, most
informative posts here in months. Thanks, Gary.

PA Bear

Gary S. Terhune <grys...@mvps.org> wrote in message

news:e7$cMfQSBHA.1020@tkmsftngp03...

[Matthew Cannon]

Thanks - sorry that I'm so stupid!

I still don't understand how deleting temp files can cause problems - I
thought they were unimportant - don't even attempt explaining that! The
explanation does make sense, but I can't understand why it all needs to be
so complicated - perhaps I'll just blame it all on Microsoft!!! The reason
I'm so keen to access the TIF is that the folder is taking up 133mb (and
that's just my profile) and cannot be reduced by using the internet options
box.

Thanks for all your help with this - I'm very sorry If I've appeared
ignorant, but we all have to learn.

Matt
"Gary S. Terhune" <grys...@mvps.org> wrote in message

news:e7$cMfQSBHA.1020@tkmsftngp03...

[Gary S. Terhune]

If using the Internet Settings Delete Button doesn't work (and you included the Offline Content?)-- Are you sure you are looking at the right TIF folder? You can verify this by looking at the Internet Settings TIF Settings. It will tell you where the current TIF folder is located. That is, it will tell you where the TIF folder is for the currently logged on User.

The reason you don't want to delete these files directly (in Windows Explorer) is to avoid screwing up all of the systems that keep track of those files. The only decent option is to use the DELTREE method in "pure" DOS as I described earlier. If that confused you, reply with the full paths to each of your TIF folders (with Profiles, you have more than one.) I'll give explicit instructions.

The reason I suggested using CacheSentry is that IE is known to have problems managing the TIF correctly. This can cause it to screw up, probably what has happened in your case. Without CacheSentry, you are likely to run into this problem rather regularly. IE thinking the TIF is empty when it's not. Or vice-versa, thinking it's full when it's not.

I strongly suggest you delete the TIF folder(s) *completely*, in DOS, using the method I described, and then installing and using CacheSentry.

I don't think you are stupid, but trying to explain a part of Windows that is much more tricky (and for good reason) than most people think it is--or, even worse, trying to explain why it screws up so often (for which there is no excuse other than plain pig-headedness on the part of certain MS Softies, I suspect)--It's frustrating. Which is why I tried to steer you away from messing with it.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Matthew Cannon" <cannon_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:9p5ivi$cdf$1...@neptunium.btinternet.com...

[Joe]

"PA Bear" wrote...

> Give this man a drink, he's earned it! This is one of the best,
> most informative posts here in months. Thanks, Gary.
>
> PA Bear

I will second that and buy the next round. Great job, Gay. I learned a
lot. Thank you for taking the time to explain it.

Joe

[Gary S. Terhune]

Darn! And me having given up the habit for life! (That's OK, I did enough drinking in the previous thirty years to last ten lifetimes, <g>.)

I'll just pour another cup of super-strength Italian Roast... Compliments of a client who likes to telephone for help and then send me to the local coffee shop for a pound or two of beans in payment, <s>.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Joe" <cd...@mediaone.net> wrote in message news:OjrwXwTSBHA.1488@tkmsftngp03...

[Gary S. Terhune]

Darn! And me having given up the habit for life! (That's OK, I did enough drinking in the previous thirty years to last ten lifetimes, <g>.)

I'll just pour another cup of super-strength Italian Roast... Compliments of a client who likes to telephone for help and then send me to the local coffee shop for a pound or two of beans in payment, <s>.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Joe" <cd...@mediaone.net> wrote in message news:OjrwXwTSBHA.1488@tkmsftngp03...
>

[Joe]

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote...

> I'll just pour another cup of super-strength Italian Roast...

"Joe" wrote...
> I will second that and buy the next round. Great job...

And in the process of thanking you I managed to mis-spell your name. Sorry,
no offense intended, it was just a fat finger on the keyboard.

I have a shelf full of Windows book. There's more good help in this
newsgroup than in any of them. Thanks again to you Gary.

Joe

[Gary S. Terhune]

You should see *my* posts before Spellchecker has a go at them, <bg>. Me, I got a lazy little finger that's slow getting off of the Shift key. Lots of CAPS where there shouldn't be.

Ahh, but spellchecker has made me lazy, and now I have to remember to check spellchecker's work.

FWIW, I learned almost *everything* I know about computers (and that in less than 5 years) by simply trying things on my own machine (after Dad got me one to get me off of his, <bg>)--and participating in this newsgroup for the last three years. First year I was learning Win95 on my Dad's machine and courting my now-wife in Yahoo! Second year I was getting married and setting up a new home, <s>.

Poor 3.5 year-old machine has seen some 500+ clean installations of Windows of one stripe or another.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Joe" <cd...@mediaone.net> wrote in message news:ejZukIaSBHA.1148@tkmsftngp05...

[Bill James]

As a supplement to what GAry has patiently explained:

I have a small VBScript utility to facilitate deleting the index.dat file in Temporary Internet Files and/or the History folder at reboot (uses wininit.ini). The utility can be downloaded from www.billsway.com/notes_public/, look for Delete_TIF-History_Index.vbs.

I am a big fan of CacheSentry. I used to run it full-time in earlier versions of IE, where the built-in cache maintenance routine was totally screwed up, but now I just run it occasionally for maintenance purposes. I just took a peek at my system (XP Pro/IE 6), and the TIF folder had swelled to over 30 MB even though the IE setting is for 5 MB. Most of the extra size is in "orphan files", a chronic problem with IE cache -- see the CacheSentry site for a technical explanation. Running CacheSentry brought the size down to what I had specified, and also set up a fix to be implemented at reboot to correct a miscalculation in file size reporting that it found.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP·DTS

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

"Gary S. Terhune" <grys...@mvps.org> wrote in message news:ev1M3tTSBHA.1424@tkmsftngp03...

[Bert Kinney]

Gary, does CacheSentry work with WinXP/IE6.0?

[Gary S. Terhune]

Haven't personally tried it. I tend to install it only after IE shows itself to be having problems, and my current installation of XP (RC2) is on its last week or so. I'll be wiping it completely once XP "Gold" hits my mailbox.

David is still, at last check, going over it. But considering the fact that the IE6 TIF system is constructed identically to that of IE 5.x--to the extent that the one sub-directory of \Temporary Internet Files\ is still called \Content.IE5\--I'd say there's probably no problem. I think David is most interested in whether or not MS got around to dealing with any of the bugs.

http://www.mindspring.com/~dpoch/enigmatic/cachesentry.html

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP

"Bert Kinney" <be...@NSmvps.org> wrote in message news:OtpnKQ1SBHA.1576@tkmsftngp05...

[Bert Kinney]

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote

Haven't personally tried it. I tend to install it only after IE shows itself
to be having problems, and my current installation of XP (RC2) is on its
last week or so. I'll be wiping it completely once XP "Gold" hits my
mailbox.

I am using (RC2) full time, and am waiting for "Gold" also
before starting over.

David is still, at last check, going over it. But considering the fact that
the IE6 TIF system is constructed identically to that of IE 5.x--to the
extent that the one sub-directory of \Temporary Internet Files\ is still
called \Content.IE5\--I'd say there's probably no problem. I think David is
most interested in whether or not MS got around to dealing with any of the
bugs.

I think I will keep an eye on the site for confirmation.
Or, I may just give it a try before wiping the drive for the
installation of "Gold"...

http://www.mindspring.com/~dpoch/enigmatic/cachesentry.html

"Bert Kinney" wrote

[Bill James]

Works fine for me.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP·DTS

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

"Bert Kinney" <be...@NSmvps.org> wrote in message news:OtpnKQ1SBHA.1576@tkmsftngp05...

[Bert Kinney]

Thanks Bill.

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://members.home.com/dts-l/

"Bill James" wrote
Works fine for me.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP·DTS

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

"Bert Kinney" wrote