Disk Cleanup Issues

Word Man said:

I think what we're missing here is the definition of what it means by "Temporary files" - don't think it refers to Temporary Internet Files (or browser cache or whatever, alone) - I haven't yet found the definition of exactly what "Temporary files" is in this context - could be a bug or could just be my ignorance at this point.

Yes I agree with what your saying on what exactly is Temporary Files and what is Disk cleanup really looking at. BUT I did some playing with the Internet Cache settings in IE11, I changed it from 250MB to 200MB, then went back to our famous screen in Settings/system/storage/ This PC/ etc... after changing the cache size in IE11, the temporary files in This PC was changed too 200MB <----- so it seems this storage temp file information is only looking at the Cache IN IE11 and no where else. :)

Plus the fact the Disk Cleanup has not been reporting correctly for a VERY long time anyhow. :)

I have to say guys, this has been a VERY interesting thread, and I have learned a few more things just by reading this thread started by MS23 !!! Also all the comments and suggestions from our member's has been GREAT!!!

OldMike65 said:

I have to say guys, this has been a VERY interesting thread, and I have learned a few more things just by reading this thread started by MS23 !!! Also all the comments and suggestions from our member's has been GREAT!!!

@Word Man was right on the question though. What is a temporary file?

I tried to write my own by deleting everything from %temp%, %localtemp% and everywhere else I could think of but TFC (which hasn't been updated for a decade) was better.

CCleaner got some stuff (less than TFC and from where, I don't know, at least TFC tells you).

My guess is MS forgot that a minimal cache is re-created.

Anyway If you want to do it manually run The Old Guy stuff and then delete things from %localappdata% until it doesn't work any more...

And why the heck it offers a "delete temporary files" button if it has absolutely nothing to do with the "temp files" ?

davidhk said:

And why the heck it offers a "delete temporary files" button if it has absolutely nothing to do with the "temp files" ?

You don't know what files are included as MS didn't say.

Imagine I had a temporary file (containing 10 people and their IP address for example) that had a list of people who had replied to one of my posts and I stored it in C:\ProgramData\HaliData on their PC.

Next you delete it.

So, what do I do? Add the last ten (by just guessing) or sit and wait until another 10 do? Or should I add the old names anyway as probably they are the same?

That's how a cache works (less rather than more).

The only thing they can do is delete documented temp folders (C:\Windows\Temp, %localappdata%\Temp etc). CCleaner can make an assumption other fodders are full of rubbish but it isn't correct.

C:\ProgramData\HaliData is full of really important stuff (perhaps but perhaps not).

The main problem with MS is they don't document anything so you always have to look for people who have re-engineered everything.

Hi,

I just ran Ccleaner just to see what happens. It deleted 87Mb of temp files.
When I relook at Storage etc., temporary files it has actually grown bigger.

Cheers,

fdegrove said:

Hi,

I just ran Ccleaner just to see what happens. It deleted 87Mb of temp files.
When I relook at Storage etc., temporary files it has actually grown bigger.

Cheers,

That has been the case since the Insider Previews.
Wish MS will either fix it or get rid of it so it won't get people confused and paranoid.

fdegrove said:

Hi,

I just ran Ccleaner just to see what happens. It deleted 87Mb of temp files.
When I relook at Storage etc., temporary files it has actually grown bigger.

Cheers,

So what? CCleaner isn't perfect (Storage app isn't either of course).

It isn't obvious what is temp file and what can be deleted. CCleaner decides it can delete some things that MS doesn't.

Why? CCleaner has either been told by the developer it is OK to delete a file it or they guess.

That is all. MS doesn't delete third party files.

Hi,

That has been the case since the Insider Previews.

Quite frankly, I had no idea. Weird stuff that is.

Anyway, thanks for telling me.

Cheers,