Temp folder

When you install a program (especially a zipped file), download a file, work in MS Word, or anything that needs to remember where it is, it may place files in the temp folder so you don't loose any data.

The empty folders most likely came from zip files that erased the temp data but did not delete the folder(s).

For the most part, nothing in the temp folder is critical to Windows. Sometimes I have had users use the temp folder for personal data, so we had to work around that. So I would suggest just browsing through the temp folder and then deleting if you don't find anything you want to keep.

msi files are most likely Microsoft Installer files (updates from windowsupdate.microsoft.com, service packs, etc.).

Hope this helps.

delete all the stuff in temp it's generally quite safe to do so

Always delete the contents of your Windows\Temp folder after a fresh boot.

A quick and painless way to keep your system clean is to use the Maintenance Wizard, and choose your settings of choice and run cleanup/scandisk/defrag.  One of the options there is to delete the Temporary Files.  Some temporary files are in use by Windows, and can cause some problems if deleted from within Windows.  I, personally, prefer to use the Maintenance process, but if/when I need to delete temporary files outside of Windows, do a shutdown, reboot holding CTRL and select MS Safe Dos Prompt only and navigate to the Temp folder and delete from there.  If unclear where the folder is, check it using set at a command prompt prior to doing this and jot down the location of your temp file folder.

Asta

Here is what I do. I open Notepad and put this line in it

DELTREE /y C:\Windows\Temp

Next I save it but not as a *.txt file rather I save it as bat file

Example: DelTemp.bat

and then I put a shortcut to it in my Startup folder. Now every time Windows boots all the files in the temp folder are removed. Works rather well, never had a problem with it. You can also run the file by double clicking on it at any time while Windows is running and it will delete all the temporary files that are not currently in use.


The Crazy One

Thanks <astaec> for the comprehensive answer.
I found that the problem was not just the quite small .tmp files but a lot of .msi files of about 12 Mb each which appeared to be loaded by the NAV 2002. I am trying now to reach Symantec for explanation.

Thank you for the update and the fine grade.

.msi files are often residuals for Office Installer files (Microsoft Installer Files - Windows Installer packages are packaged into .MSI files, which is a database
file that describes the configuration settings of the application) and act like .exe files; but more about that here.  Did you recently install Microsoft Office or Visual Studio or the like?
http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/xp/one/depa02.htm

I'll check back with you later this day, if more is needed.

For Microsoft Office-related updates, check this site please...  Will scan your system and assess what updates are recommended for your environment.

www.officeupdate.com

":0) Asta

Norton also uses the MSI (Windows Installer), as you've said, generating these MSI files.  True for Norton's Ghost and others of their 2002 family, and can/does include switches to enable logging, etc. of installation activities.  More insights on this and switches here:
http://service4.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ghost.nsf/docid/2000071408575025

More about Norton 2002 SystemWorks and the WindowsInstaller (MSI).
http://service4.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nsw.nsf/4aeb761fd6b411e785256aa300533025/00afed0ef286af0d88256ae9004e387a?OpenDocument

Some 3rd party and other software vendors also make MSI package interfaces for logging and troubleshooting purposes, more about that here:
How to Enable Windows Installer Logging
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q223300

HOWTO: Troubleshoot Windows Installer Engine Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q260404

The log, Msi.log, appears in the Temp directory of the system volume when logging is enabled for the Windows Installer processes.  Are you on a Network, Administrator and/or group policies enabled?  Here are some more links, and when you click this, check the left panel for further navigation and information options.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/gp/95.asp

This is probably more than you've ever wanted to know about MSI, but in my humble opinion, when it comes to troubleshooting; more is better.


":0) Asta

If needed, there is also a Microsoft Installer Cleanup Utility ...
http://service2.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001091412490807

Hi Asta, thanks.
 I simply deleted 16 of the 17 msi files with my wincom, receiving another ~200mb breathing space. The were probably a residue from installing my new NAV2002.
Al the sites mentioned by you are very interesting, however being already quite over my life expectancy age I prefer to do in my remaining time some real work instead of improving or fighting with my PC.
and thanks again.
Yochanan

Thanks, Yochanan, I can relate to that and appreciate what you've said.  Thanks also for the fine grade.

Don't know what version of IE you are running, but wanted to point out that IE 6 was vastly improved with the recent Service Patch 1 delivered using WindowsUpdate.
 
":0) Asta

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