Outlook Temporary Folder

[HDS Tom]

I receive many attachments to emails every day. I know that Outlook stores
these files in a folder with the following address:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\OLKxxx

My problem is that this folder is getting very large very often and cannot
be emptied out by normal means (disk cleanup, emptying recycle folders,
etc.). I also cannot browse to this location in Windows Explorer.

My question is, then how do I delete the files in this folder, as many of
them quickly become unnecessary, and the files tend to take up a lot of disk
space and affect my computer's performance.

Thanks for your help.

Tom

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

My question is, then how do I delete the files in this folder, as many of
them quickly become unnecessary, and the files tend to take up a lot of disk
space and affect my computer's performance.

Run a search for the directory if you know its exact name, or merely
search for OLK*.

Double-click the directory when it appears in the search results
window.

Delete files at will.

 

[DL]

Its a hidden file, view hidden files has to be enabled

 

[HDS Tom]

Searching using the windows search function does not provide a result. The
only reason I know exactly where it is is because the location is the
default when opening an attachment and trying to save it. It is at this
point where I can see the files in this folder. However, even though I have
noted the location of the folder this way, I cannot navigate to it using
windows explorer.

 

[HDS Tom]

In Folder Options->Hidden Files and Folders the "Show hidden files and
folders" option is selected. Is there another way to enable viewing "hidden
files"

 

[Brian Tillman]

I receive many attachments to emails every day. I know that Outlook
stores these files in a folder with the following address:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\OLKxxx

My problem is that this folder is getting very large very often and
cannot be emptied out by normal means (disk cleanup, emptying recycle
folders, etc.).

Yes it can.

I also cannot browse to this location in Windows Explorer.

Yes you can. Open Windows Explorer and in the Address bar, enter

%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKxxx

(where "xxx" is, of course, the real characters used on your system). Click
Go. You'll see the folder's contents. Click Edit>Select All, then click
Delete. Alternatively, get OutlookTools from here:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/securetemp.htm

 

[Brian Tillman]

Its a hidden file, view hidden files has to be enabled

That doesn't work. Windows Explorer treats Temporary Internet Files
differently.

 

[DL]

May have slightly missled you, I'm using TreeSize Pro & its visible in that
The Folder OLK*** is a sub folder of Temporary Internet Files, so I would
imagine it would be deleted if you clear your Temporary Internet files in
Internet Options
My OLK** folder only contains attachment files that I opened today, & I
havent conciously deleted anything from it lately

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Searching using the windows search function does not provide a result.

I copied EXACTLY what I did/do before I posted to you.

It works in XP.

 

[Brian Tillman]

May have slightly missled you, I'm using TreeSize Pro & its visible
in that The Folder OLK*** is a sub folder of Temporary Internet
Files, so I would imagine it would be deleted if you clear your
Temporary Internet files in Internet Options

I don't think so. it didn't for me.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

type %temp% at the run command and you should be able to browse to it. (Will
need to show hidden files and folders.) You can move it to a location that
is easier to access.

http://www.outlook-tips.net/archives/2007/20070604.htm
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/securetemp.htm - instructions for moving
the folder

 

[Brian Tillman]

type %temp% at the run command and you should be able to browse to
it. (Will need to show hidden files and folders.)

At one time that was true for me. It is no longer. I have two separate PCs
running WIndows XP SP2. I used to be able to enter %temp% in the Run
dialogue and just below Temp in the folder list would be Temporary Internet
Files, with a plus sign to its left that I could click and Windows Explorer
would expand the folder and show the OLK folder underneath. I no longer
recall when Windows stopped allowing that, but it has on both of my systems.

 

[HDS Tom]

UG,

Sorry, I did not see your directions the first time. When following your
directions, at first I did not see a result, but then I went into the
advanced options under search and chose "show hidden files and folders" (I
did not realize I needed to turn on that functionality in the search
criteria as well..). After running the search with these conditions,
Windows found the folder right away. To save time I copied the shortcut to
my desktop, so I can quickly go in and clean out the folder.

Many thanks for your advice and patience.

Sincerely,

Tom

 

[Brian Tillman]

Sorry, I did not see your directions the first time. When following
your directions, at first I did not see a result, but then I went
into the advanced options under search and chose "show hidden files
and folders" (I did not realize I needed to turn on that
functionality in the search criteria as well..). After running the
search with these conditions, Windows found the folder right away. To save
time I copied the shortcut to my desktop, so I can quickly go
in and clean out the folder.

You can also use this tool:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/products/outlooktools.htm

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Interesting, it is allowed on all of my systems still.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Brian Tillman asked:

|
|| type %temp% at the run command and you should be able to browse to
|| it. (Will need to show hidden files and folders.)
|
| At one time that was true for me. It is no longer. I have two
| separate PCs running WIndows XP SP2. I used to be able to enter
| %temp% in the Run dialogue and just below Temp in the folder list
| would be Temporary Internet Files, with a plus sign to its left that
| I could click and Windows Explorer would expand the folder and show
| the OLK folder underneath. I no longer recall when Windows stopped
| allowing that, but it has on both of my systems.