junocass

[junocass]

When I have Spybot check for errors, prior to checking, a message comes up stating that there are over 400 Temporary files that should be removed. When it asks if Spybot should remove same, I say "yes" but get another message that says they are all active and cannot be removed. This has only happened in the last week, and do not understand the problem. Do not know what the temporary files are - is there a way to find out?

[honda12]

Hi junocass,

Temporary files are created by an application to temporarily store data (clues in the name :p:). For example, your web browser(s) probably stores your most recently visited web pages on your computer. The files are stored in a folder that acts as a cache so that subsequent requests are retrieved from the local hard disk.

Sometimes, the applications won't delete all the temporary files they created, and over time they can "bog down" your system which can also slow down scanning times.

Clearing out temporary files is totally safe - after all they are just "temporary" files :)


I say "yes" but get another message that says they are all active and cannot be removed.
The message is saying that an application(s) is currently using the data in temporary files. This could have caused because maybe you had web browser open or another application. To clear out the files, try opening Spybot-S&D as soon as your computer gets into Windows so that any temporary files wont be in use or 'active'.

Hope that helps,

honda :)

[junocass]

I did as you suggested, opened Spybot immediately I opened Windows and got the same result - somewhere there are over 400 files shown as being used. I deleted all of the history sites except for todays, thinking that might help, but no luck. Wonder where I would find the "cache" for these temporary files on my computer? do you know? Some glitch has occurred respecting these files, as this has never happened before, as mentioned previously. Your consideration and help is most appreciated.

[drragostea]

Clearing out temporary files is totally safe - after all they are just "temporary" files :)


The message is saying that an application(s) is currently using the data in temporary files. This could have caused because maybe you had web browser open or another application. To clear out the files, try opening Spybot-S&D as soon as your computer gets into Windows so that any temporary files wont be in use or 'active'.
Thanks honda12.
junocass, the general idea is that the more temp. files in your machine equals a longer scanning time. Spybot-Search&Destroy will attempt to cleanup the files that are not longer in use or no longer used to speed up scanning time.

If Spybot does not do the job at removing the Temp. Files, you can download ATF Cleaner by Atribune (50KB) and cleanup the temp. files from there. Run it (a standalone .exe, no installer) and click "Select All" and 'Empty'.

After that see if that triggers the prompt.

[junocass]

Have a "cleaner" and ran temp. files through it. Still no luck, SpyBot still asking about the 400 files to be removed. Am wondering if I should uninstall and reinstall SpyBot????

[drragostea]

Have a "cleaner" and ran temp. files through it.
Meaning you ran 'ATF Cleaner' already?
I'm not sure if uninstalling and reinstalling will help, because it will still detect the files in the Temp. folder.

ATF should have done the job and cleaned it.

[junocass]

No, I have CCleaner, and ran it. Is there a difference between it and ATF Cleaner?

[drragostea]

No, there is not. Both CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) and ATF Cleaner are good tools. Thing is that, I could not mention or suggest CCleaner to you because it includes a registry cleaner. But both are good tools.

CCleaner should have cleared the Temp. files that are older than 48 hours.

Do you still see the prompt?

[junocass]

Yes, I still see the prompt and what concerns me, when I ask SpyBot to remove the temporary files, they come back and say that they cannot remove them as they are still in use. This is a puzzling problem, is it not? One more thing, when I search for updates, SpyBot has not had an update for over a week, is that not strange? Thank you also, for your concern and help.

[Terminator]

Spybot updates once a week on Wednesdays usually after 1pm GMT, though occasionally there will be the odd minor update before or after this date.

Last weeks updates are dated 2008/10/22.

[drragostea]

Not really over a week... Every week promptly :santa:.
If Normal Boot does not work, you'll have to try Safe Mode. Tap F8 during bootup to get to Safe Mode.

Then try running CCleaner (or ATF, whichever you prefer).

[junocass]

Guess I will have to put up with the message about the temporary files, as believe we have done everything possible to alleviate the situation. Really do not want to reinstall Spybot, as now that I have joined the forums, etc. would have to start all over again. Like so many things with the PC, maybe one day the message will disappear. Again, thank you to those who responded and tried to help.

[junocass]

I did not see your message yesterday ddragstea, didn't turn the page! Will try safe mode tomorrow, it is my bedtime.

[junocass]

Tried the safe mode method, but no go. As mentioned before, hopefully one day it will just take care of itself! Thanks again.

[drragostea]

Hopefully it will, but it sounds disappointing. I feel persistent, so I'll give another solution.

I was just wondering if you could manually drag-and-drop the files to the Recycle Bin just like that.

Run "temp" and "%temp%" (no quotes).

[junocass]

Thanks again drragostea. I did what you said, except for dragging the files to the recycle bin. Am scared silly to do that, as Spybot says, when I ask them to remove the files, that 405 files are in use. Am not that educated in the workings of the computer, and if I mess things up, would not know how to right them again. The next time I have a technician come out to do some work, will have him check these files. I am persistent too, when something is not right, like to get it corrected, but just am not sure enough in this instance. If by some miracle, things change, will let you know. Hope you understand, because you have tried your darndest!!!

[drragostea]

Fine by me. I'm betting the technician is going to offer a similar response :laugh:.

Take care.

drragostea.

[jjjdavidson]

I did what you said, except for dragging the files to the recycle bin. Am scared silly to do that, as Spybot says, when I ask them to remove the files, that 405 files are in use.

Don't be afraid--if the files are legitimately "in use," then Windows won't allow you to delete them in the first place. Other users have reported that Spybot has trouble deleting empty folders within TEMP folders, so perhaps that's what's happening to you.

[junocass]

YIPPEE! well, drragostea and jjjdavidson, you talked me into. Just went to that temp. folder and deleted everything in it. And you were right, I do NOT get the Spybot message about temp. files anymore. Guess I will have to quit be chicken, what do you think?

[drragostea]

Eh, well miracles happen. You just didn't try first.