Windows 10: Tmp files/folders in C:\Windows\Temp

I was recently looking in C:\Windows\Temp and found many (hundreds) of folders in this directory. These folders each contains a file called "tmp00000000", these files are zero length.

The folders in Windows\Temp are all in the form "tmp00000xxx" or "tmp0000xxxx", where xxx/xxxx appears to be a hexadecimal number, eg. "tmp00000a78". I can see no pattern indicating when they are created other than some seem to be created shortly after a boot but others are not related to a boot.

I have Bullguard installed and get no viruses reported.

Any ideas of what is causing this or how to track down the cause?

Thanks

:)

 

Deleting tmp files in C:\Windows\Temp

Hello

Should I be deleting .tmp files in C:\Windows\Temp?

If so, when I try, I get a message saying I need administrator permission. As a user, I am an administrator. Even if I log on as "Administrator," I get the same message saying I need administrator approval. I notice the files are marked "read only." But
if I try to change that in the Security tab, the options are grayed out.

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks.

 

Deleting tmp files in C:\Windows\Temp

Hi Anthony

The main Temp folder in Windows is in another location . . .

Open File Explorer, then in the address bar paste this and hit Enter:

%temp%

Can you empty the contents of that folder - you may get an error on the last couple of files - that is OK, those are in use

With regards to C:\Windows\Temp that is the legacy temp folder used for older software on your system.

Yes it is safe to delete the files in that folder. That administrator error is very much reported all over Windows 10, it seems Windows cannot decide if we are administrators or not

Try booting into Safe Mode to delete the contents of that folder . . .

 

Hundreds of MSI####.tmp files in C:/ Drive

Here's what helped me:

The ICACLS command.

Imagine my Windows ID is Joseph and I have hundreds of MSI*.tmp empty folders on c:\. I'm not going to change the security properties of each one, giving JOSEPH-AND-MARY\Joseph the ability to delete MSI1234.tmp and all the other MSI*.tmp folders.

No, I need a miracle! The ICACLS command is that miracle.

Step 1:

icacls c:\MSI*.tmp /grant JosephF,DE)

Step 2:

Now you can delete those pesky folders in Windows Explorer or any utility that deletes empty folders.

(Note: I did run TAKEOWN c:\MSI*.tmp first, so I'm not sure if that was necessary.)