Many ~wrl*.tmp Files

[Allison Orange]

We use Word 2002 SP3 on Windows 2000 SP4 on a Novell Netware network. We
are occassionally having a problem with multiple ~wrl*.tmp files being
created when editing a document, one for each time the document is saved.
When this occurs, the only way to clean them up, is to exit, restart Word,
reopen the document, where it again begins accumulating ~wrl*.tmp files
again.

I created several documents from workgroup templates stored on a network
drive and they all seemed to have the problem. Then I copied one of those
templates to the template folder on my c: drive and did not have the
problem. At which point, I said, "Aha". Then I tried again from one of
those same workgroup template on the network and did not have the problem.
So much for my "Aha" moment.

This can really be a problem for my users who have large files stored on the
network, because eventually with saving frequently, they will run out of
network space.

I have seen references to this problem from Susan Barnhill and others, but
wasn't clear if there was a definitive explanation for the problem and
solution.

Thanks for any help in advance,
Allison Orange
Systems Project Consultant
Florida Public Service Commission
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Jezebel]

It can happen as a side-effect of network security policies: for example, if
ordinary users do not have DELETE permission on the network folder.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I don't think it has anything to do with a network. I use a standalone
machine, no whiff of network anywhere, and I get them. Most users remain
blissfully unaware of them because (a) you don't see them if you have "Word
Documents" or "All Documents" selected in Word's File Open/Save dialogs, and
(b) most users don't save very often. I have never read any explanation for
why they are created, and the standard KB article about temporary files
(“WD: How Word for Windows Uses Temporary Files” at
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211632) identifies them as associated
with the Clipboard. I would be unlikely to create any document without
copying/cutting and pasting at least once, so perhaps there is some truth in
this, but it's not the whole explanation.

They really are harmless, however (and potentially useful if you want to
drop back to a previous version of a document), unless they start filling up
available HD space, and that's not usually a problem unless they are not
deleted when you close the document. And that *is* a network issue and is
related to SMB packet signing in some version of Windows Server, about which
I am deeply ignorant (to the point that I have already told you more than I
understand).

 

[Allison Orange]

First, my apologies to Suzanne for calling her Susan in my first post. I
knew it the moment I pressed the Send, but it was a little late at that
point...

It is helpful to know that it is not network related. I am sure most users
are unaware of these files, but our users do have limits on their network
space, and when they have very large files and save a lot, they are getting
messages that indicate they have run out of disk space. I can rectify it by
allotting them more network space and they can help by getting out of Word
every so often and allowing Word to clean them up. We have not seen the
problem where these groups of ~wrl*.tmp files are not cleaned up after an
exit, although we do see other types of temp files left after an exit.
Until a better fix comes along, I guess that is what we will do.

Thanks again,
Allison Orange
Systems Project Consultant
Florida Public Service Commission
(e-mail address removed)