Temp Files, Is it safe to delete them

[RJB]

Hi,
I have a quick question regarding the temp file located in XP Home
C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\ Temp.

The local settings file is a hidden file.

I was looking in that temp file and it is loaded with files, apps, text files, notes, set up files, ect.

Is it safe to delete these files.
I have over 2 gigs in this temp file. I do regular disk clean up and it doesn't seem to get any smaller.

Most of the info in this folder is not even installed anymore. But some is.

Is it safe to delete?
How does this information get in there?
And is there a program I could use to safely delete files?

Thanks

[TwoRails]

Yes, it's normally safe to delete the items in your Temp directory. If you want some mental insurance, then you can move all the files to a different directory and see if any programs ask for one or more of the files. If everything works right, as it should, then you can delete the files from the dir you moved them too.

[RJB]

I thought it was safe to delete.
But I reeeeely wanted to make sure.

Thank You

[TwoRails]

It's always a good idea to be safe. Sometimes the files in the Temp directory are not easily identified as "deletable."

[RJB]

Is any freeware available that will delete these files for me?
Like a nice little program you can set up to delete automatically.

[Mesaeus]

I usually do a del *.* on a command prompt when in the Temp dir. Whatever is in use is probably important and will not be deleted this way. Never had problems doing this. Cleaning the temp dir once in a while is a good idea, there's lots of junk being left behing by installers etc.

[RJB]

Thanks for the tip, I will try that.

I couldn't believe how much crap I had in there. Over two gigs.
I will be checking that temp directory often.

I just started dabbling in the world of DVD Back up which needs room to store VOB files. I noticed my hard drive shrinking at an alarming rate.
I started to clean what I could, and then I noticed that Temp directory.

Now that I know it's safe to delete contents, I will be cleaning that file often.

Thank You