Computer help forum: Got an interesting question for ya'll !

Roddy 32 is just completly correct.

Sure you can delete temporary files, they're temporary
If you try to delete a temporary file that is currently in use, it won't delete, because the file will be locked, preventing the deletion.

If you delete the cookies you will find that if you had any signon names or passwords at that website, then you will have to re-sign on and enter a password. those cookies are often used to maintain that information for you (although it is somewhat encrypted, so it is not easily readable).

So, if you don't mind re-entering that info, and if you don't need to maintain data entered at a website to carry on to another of their pages (like a shopping list), then you could delete the cookies too. (I wouldn't, but if you want to, can't see what it harm it would cause.)

Well i don't ever use the remember me option that is available at any sign in so to me it is no big deal to sign in to any site i visit .. i was just wondering if deleting them was ok because i had heard that it can cause problems to do so . Thanks for the help . BTW as for that disk clean program .... where do i find it ? I was thinking of deleting temp files and cookies to help free up some memory and hopefully get the puter working a little better .

I just downloaded CCLEANER, it appears quite impressive. It's very fast, it allows you to easily pick and choose which type of files you wish to delete. I chose to keep my cookies, I like being memorable. It acted as an internet eraser, and even fixed problems with files in my registry.
I am pleasantly pleased.
Thank's, for the tip.

i was just wondering if deleting them was ok because i had heard that it can cause problems to do so . Thanks for the help . BTW as for that disk clean program .... where do i find it ? I was thinking of deleting temp files and cookies to help free up some memory and hopefully get the puter working a little better .

"Flirting with disaster" in my opinion, but. . .."

Wabbitt, temporary internet files and cookies have absolutely nothing to do with memory....only hard drive space

After using my 'old gieser' (Win 98SE), when I delete all of my cookies, I find my computer more sluggish when using the web. I would be very selective in deleting your cookies, no matter what type of OS you use. Cookies can help, yet they also can build up too.

Well, its an twofold answer for an twofold question.

If you have something that you play often (like maybe Yahoo Games) and it keeps track of your passwords and such, then maybe you shouldnt delete all cookies or internet files.

But other then that, it is completely safe, and (I personally think) it should be done on an weekly basis.

As a win xp user with a cable internet connection, before shutting down I run disk cleanup followed by 2 third party sweepers. One to find & delete unnecessary or infrequently used files & programs including recycle bin. The other concentrates on internet clutter. Recommend running spyware/adware removal too.

well from my experience I delete all of them files and cookies and it doesent seem to affect me any I run windows xp and I do this 1 time a week because I spend alot of time on the net going to thousands of sites doing research for different people on sevral things it might slow you down just a little at first on the sites you visit most but after you go to them once it has no problem

This is an interesting question, and the answer can increase the performance of your computer immensely.

All Temporary files can be deleted prior to sign off of the internet every time or if you are having performance problems of your pc, they can be deleted during your online session at any time. The temporary files are all the fonts pictures, links, music, and everything that the web pages contain that you have visited during that online session. They are not needed unless you will visit that web page again the next time you go online. For me it is just as easy to let the page completely load again.They just take up a lot of disk space, especially if you visit a lot of web pages. A hint, if I find a picture, wav or Mpeg that I want it is easy to retrieve it from temporary files and save to hard disc prior to deleting temporary files.


Cookies are a different story. If you are a member of a lot of services ( banking on the net, dvd clubs, book clubs, horoscopes sent daily etc....) via the net then you probably do not want to delete all of your cookies. I have found out that it is a big hassel to go to the site, and have to remember my login name every time. By not deleting all your cookies the web pages come up with your login name and all you have to do is add your password to sign in. I never store passwords on my pc!!!!!!!!! Never.
Never ever remove all cookies!!
I have found an easy way to find which cookies are needed. Which cookies might be added by spyware or a trojan horse, and how to easily get rid of the ones you don't need. I am explaining this for a novice computer user.

1.Go to Http://www.grisoft.com They have free viral protection. But they also have a spyware program that you can download that will let you know if spyware or trojans are on your computer. Spyware and Trojans add cookies to your computer, So even if you have had one in the past,and gotten rid of it, if you don't manually delete the cookies they can come back. Download and install the program and run it.
It will list all offending cookies.

2.Keep that list handy on your desktop.

3.Open Windows explorer look at the left side of the window that comes up for the explorer program,[ if you have a windows program installed that doesn't show this list, you will see a place where you can click on show files or show tree) then open My computer, open C drive or your main drive that windows is on, open program files and then Windows( opening means the + mark in front of an item listed should be clicked to turn to a - mark) this lists all the files in that program below it. Then you can scroll down and find cookies in the Windows file.

4.Click on the cookies to highlight it, and look to the right. All your cookies will be listed.

5.You can hover your mouse button over each of the files to see if it matches the list.

6.Right click on each file that matches those from the list on your desk top, and delete it. It will ask if you want to send it to the recycle bin. Click yes.

7. Once you have gone through the list, and removed all the cookies that the software found, then you can go through the list in your explorer again and remove any other cookies that you know for sure you do not need.
If you do this on a regular basis you will know which ones you want to keep. If you don't know what a cookie is for, right click on it, and click the properties from the menu that comes up. This should tell you where the cookie came from. If it is from a software program that you want access to the net, or from a service on the net you are signed up for, do not delete it. Otherwise get rid of it!

8.Once you are done, make sure you open the recycle bin and delete all files sent there.

This is time consuming, the first time but when you are online, you will have less pop-ups, less programs getting files from the net while you are trying to do something else, which causes a computer to have performance problems while online. I hope this helped you with your question, and also on how to get rid of those nasty cookies!
Carman

For as long as I can remember,I routinely delete EVERY cookie, visited places, temporary files etc... each time I leave my Internet browser with no ill effects whatsoever.
Toscane

this is what I did.
I downloaded Window Washer which cost $29-95
what it does is cleans out your computer that has cookies in there. It also cleans out the temp folder which will help your computer run better. You can set it to run either when the computer is started,and or when you are finished using the computer.It does not go after spyware or crapware, that would be another program such as ad-ware se { which will also cost you} they are very good programs. I also have spybot search and destroy {free program} all these products are very good which I have been using for years in my computers.
There is also a free download of Ad-ware try it see if you like it. Once your computer is cleaned from the cookies etc it should run better.

Its very safe to delete a internet temp file. That means that you are full of those temp files. Go on your Desktop and locate the icon " the internet icon or the round picture that is like the world globe". Right click on it,go in proprities and you will see a place at the top of the window, asking if you whant to delete the files, and theire is a lille box that you can put a check mark in; and it says { do you whant to delete all the files, after you put your check mark in the little box, click yes or the enter key on your keyboard. Even in the same box, below it promt you to delete your cookies, go for it, click ok. That will speed up your PC . Better than that; after you are done, do a defrag, that will speed up your pc up to 30% faster. If you have any questions, or you did not understand the way I explain to you; just e-mail me at gbeauchamp@travel-net.com

See ya