Deleting Temporary Internet Files - Maintenance Tip of the Day

Friday, December 31, 2004

Temporary Internet Files are tidbits of garbage left behind on your computer by websites you visit. They're completely useless and only serve to take up space. It's best to delete them once a month or so. This tip tells you how to delete them if you use Internet Explorer as your browser.

There are two ways to get to the box where you can delete these bothersome files:

1. Double Click on your Internet Exporer® internet browser icon. Then click on Tools at the top and on Internet Options in the dropdown menu that appears.

2. Click on Start, then on Control Panel. Click on "Classic View" on the left if your Control Panel isn't already in this view. Next, double click on the icon that says Internet Options.

OK, now that you've gotten there, look for the section in the middle of the box that says "Temporary Internet Files." In that section is a button that says Delete Files. Click on that button.

A box pops up asking you if you want to "Delete Offline Content." Go ahead and check the box. Don't worry. It's OK. This move may seem dangerous but it really isn't at all. Click OK in the box

You should now see an hourglass instead of an arrow for your mouse pointer. That means the computer is busy deleting all those unnecessary files. Depending on how long you've had your computer, how often you surf the web, and whether or not you've ever done this before, the hourglass could stay there for quite a long time. (I think my Dad's stayed there for 15 or 20 minutes!) So have no fear if your hourglass lingers for quite a while. It has a lot of work to do.

When the hourglass turns into an arrow again, your work is done. Click OK out of the box.