Step 5: Deleting Temp Files, Temporary
Internet Files, & Cookies for Windows XP

As you browse the internet, open, close, and install programs, files are stored on your computer that clog up your system. Once you are done with them, the files are no longer needed yet remain on your computer. Many errors are caused by the storage of these junk files. I am going to walk you through the steps to delete these junk files from your system.

One of the biggest search engine terms I see utilized are "can't see temporary internet files and "can't find temp folder" and "cant see Local Settings." First I am going to walk you through making sure all your necessary files and folders are available for viewing.

Open Windows Explorer to browse your computer. Go to "Start, Run," and type "explorer.exe" and click "Ok." Go to the "Tools" menu, select "Folder Options" and then select the "View" tab. Make sure the box for "Show hidden files and folders," is selected, then uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types." Also uncheck "Hide protected system operating files and all your folders should appear.



Exit out of the folder options. Back in Windows Explorer, on the left are all the folders that are on your computer, similar to "My Computer." On the right are all the files within those folders. Select a folder on the left, and its contents are displayed on the right. Make sure to follow instructions carefully, you need to be in the exact folder (check to make sure the address bar matches each step) and delete files only on the right side.

To make sure you are at the exact folder, look for the Address Bar at the top. If you cannot see the address bar go to "View, Toolbars," and check "Address Bar." If you still cannot see it, it is simply mis-aligned at the top of your screen. Go to "View, Toolbars," and make sure "Lock the Toolbars" is unchecked. Find where it says "Address" on your screen, put your cursor over it. Move your mouse until the cursor changes, click and drag the Address Bar to a place where you can view it in full. Go back to the "View" menu and recheck "Lock the Toolbars" once you have it in place.

Double click on the (C:\) drive to open it. Double click on "Documents and Settings" to display those contents. You want to double click on "Owner" or whatever main name you use to log in to your computer with. If you follow the address paths and find no files on the right side, you are not in the main user name. Go back up and select another user name to try again.



Click on the "Cookies" folder. Cookies are small files that Web sites place on your machine to remember you. If you visit a site, login, and visit it again a few days later and that Web site still has you logged in it is from a cookie. We are going to delete everything on the right side, except a file called "index.dat." You will need to log in to those sites over again once we have deleted all the cookies. Click on any file over on the right side. Hold down your "Ctrl" key while you push down the "A" key at the same time. These keystrokes should "select all" of the items on the right side. Find the "index.dat" file, usually at the very top or very bottom, hold down the "Ctrl" key and click it once to de-select just that "index.dat" file. Once all of the items are highlighted except "index.dat", right click on one of the highlighted items and select "Delete" from the drop menu. The folder should be empty except for the "index.dat" file.



Slightly down from the "Cookies" folder, double click on "Local Settings." Under "Local Settings" double click the "Temp" folder. The Temp folder contains files and programs that your computer needs only temporarily, hence, "Temp" folder. Again, select an item on the right side to highlight it and do a "Ctrl + A" to select all the items. Right click and select "Delete" from the drop menu. Occasionally you will get dialogue boxes informing you of something being a "Program File" or a "Read Only" file, and ask you if you are sure you want to delete them. Click "Yes," because as we are in the "Temp" folder we know for sure these files are not necessary. If any of the files are currently in use, windows will not delete them. Restart your computer and retry deleting these stubborn files. Deleting the files in this folder alone can eliminate error messages and other glitches.



The "Temporary Internet Files" folder contains more cookies and Web pictures that your browser places here to load Web pages faster. Once this folder gets large, it can clog your system. Select an item on the right side to highlight it and "Ctrl + A" to select all, right click and select "Delete" from the drop menu. Have patience with this folder, it has a tendency to freeze for a bit while your computer deletes all these files. Wait for it to unfreeze and empty itself before continuing.



As a final step, scroll to the bottom and highlight the "Recycle Bin." Go to "File" and select "Empty Recycle Bin." Leave Windows Explorer open to continue.