I’m having a clean up and came across many files in my Temporary Internet files (E:\Documents and Settings\local settings)
To be honest not sure what they actually are (get a warning not to open) when try to open same.
Can I delete these files?
Have XP Windows.
sure…it is advisable…you can do it this way http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm
or use Ccleaner(i use and alot others do too-very popular and works great)-but when you install it uncheck the install of yahoo toolbar
Cleans the following
Internet Explorer
+++Temporary files+++, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat.
Firefox
Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history.
Opera
Temporary files, URL history, cookies.
Windows
Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files.
Registry cleaner
Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more… also comes with a comprehensive backup feature.
Third-party applications
Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, MS Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more… http://www.ccleaner.com/ +click on left for Ccleaner link+
and it’s Free
All Temp Internet Files can be deleted, they are by their nature temporary, the only restriction would be if they were in use, browser open and pages displayed. But, even then I believe they should be able to be deleted as all you have to do is refresh the page and they would be loaded again.
However, there have been a number of malware infections downloaded in to temp locations and if that were the case and they were running then Windows in all its wisdom would protect them ;D
You say you were warned not to open them, what warned you and what was the warning ?
What was the file name/s tat you received this warning about ?
Most probably, try the Slim version, avoiding the annoying Yahoo Toolbar of the full version.
All other features, including the fact of being free, are the same.
Ooops. Edited: drhayden has mentioned this fact at the beginning of his post. Sorry 8)
If you want a total clean then I would recommend ATF but only to be used occasionally as it is very powerful. I usually use it to clean up after an infection is removed and prior to an anti-spyware scan
Download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only
Double-clickATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
If you use Firefox browser
Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button. NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
If you use Opera browser
Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button. NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.
Yes, I can second what essexboy says, ATF is top, very fast, very accurate, use it for over a year now, no problems. Next I use IECacheExplorer, also nice to delete cookies, history, and internet files, use that at work where I have IE7. SSS or System Security Suite is also a very nice cleaning program: download it from: http://www.igorshpak.net/software/3ssetup104.zip (Powered by Borland Delphi). But for the latter program to work you need full rights, and ATF works also for people that have normal user rights only, which is advised for your normal Internet activities (surfing, webmail and other services).