invisible files in Temporary Internet Files

Factual Questions
1

When I right click on my “Temporary Internet Files” folder and select properties, it claims that it contains thousands of files and four subdirectories. I see none of this when I actually open the folder (there’s maybe a hundred cookies, and that’s it) even though I set my “folder options” to let me view hidden files and protected operating system files.

What gives? What are these mysterious files, how do I view them, and how can I delete them? And is it even safe to delete them? Some things I’ve read suggest that emptying this folder might fix some other problems I’ve been having, such as “view source” not working.

By the way, I’m using Windows XP and have installed Service Pack 2. Everything should be up to date.

2

Try this:

Open Windows Explorer
Go to Tools/Folder Options
Click the View tab

You should see a radio button which has two options:

Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders
Show Hidden Files and Folders

Select the second option and you should be able to see those hidden files.

3

Internet Explorer

Tools - Internet Options

Temporary Internet Files (halfway down the first tab “General”)

You can delete files & cookies there.

Clicking the “Settings” button will let you view the files, set the size of your tempdir, etc.

Clearing the temp files can certainly resolve certain problems; downsizing the directory can resolve others.

Hope that helps!