Files disappear from folder

Hello @jsampson45,

Unfortunately, the %SystemRoot%\Temp folder does periodically get automatically cleaned out.

I use it a lot when writing and running Scripts, but only as an intermediate dump location for calculations etc, and then I delete them via the Script.

May I suggest that you setup a Test Folder for your requirements as it will make it easier and more manageable for your needs.

I hope this helps.

Hello @jsampson45,

jsampson45 said:

Does this apply to the folder tmp (not temp)? Where can I find info about what it is for, what it does etc?

Sorry, my fault.

Are talking about %LOCALAPPDATA%\Local\Temp.

The AppData folder lives in a profile folder for each Win User. Things with Global Settings, like Apps for example, that apply to EACH User, keep their files the %SystemRoot%\ProgramData folder. Besides this, I believe that ordinary Temp files also get removed automatically.

What is AppData folder?

The AppData folder on Windows 10 and 11 has three additional folders: Local, LocalLow, and Roaming. Here is what do they do:

• Local. This folder stores device-specific settings and temporary files. There is a separate environment variable %LOCALAPPDATA% for this folder that you can use in your batch files and scripts.
• LocalLow. Here Windows stores mainly buffer data generated by various apps (Internet Explorer, Java, Adobe, etc.). It is also used by low-level access systems, for example, for temporary files of your browser when working in protected mode. This directory also cannot be moved to another computer.
• Roaming. You can transfer files in this folder to another computer. The Roaming folder stores browser data, bookmarks, etc. This directory allows users to always work with a familiar environment on any server in the Remote Desktop Services farm when using roaming profiles or User Profile Disks. The environment variable for this directory is %APPDATA%.

Its set in storagespace check there but it will cover ALL temp files

I put some PDF files in C:\tmp

I have no such folder on my PC... and there isn't a hidden one either.

Presumably this is a folder you created... and from what you say it's still there.

As for recovery... usual story on deleted files (assuming that's what's happened and you appear confident of the path):

First check your Recycle bin- have you looked?

If no joy you can try e.g. Recuva (free)
Perform a scan for deleted files. Usually there are two levels of scan.

Recovered files may be partially overwritten, as, being deleted, their disk space is overwritten.

Hello @jsampson45,

dalchina said:

I have no such folder on my PC... and there isn't a hidden one either.

I also do NOT have a Tmp folder.

Did you create that folder using something like a Batch Script or manually?

I am pretty sure that Tmp is just an Alias for [Temp. They are just different Aliases for the same Path.

I investigated this difference for you and found this from a website . . .

What's the difference between %TMP% and %TEMP% Environment Variables?

It is for compatibility. It goes all the way back to DOS. Since there were no standards, some DOS (and Win 3.x) applications would look for the %TMP% environment variable and others would look for %TEMP%. You were best off if you set both of them in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

Windows NT set both of them automatically just to make sure all of the apps continued to work OK. %TEMP% is the standard now, but %TMP% lives on.

I hope this helps..

If the folder has been created by some program, it may be that that program has made use of it and deleted them.

C:\tmp was a poor choice, you will have realised- especially as it was there already.. best keep personal files in library folders (Documents etc) or better on another disk or partition.

dalchina said:

If the folder has been created by some program, it may be that that program has made use of it and deleted them.

I agree.