Summary:
Temporary files build up on Windows- based computers from program installations, intrusions, browser activity and certain types of viruses & spyware. By deleting them, you will free up a lot of hard disk space and improve overall performance.
In addition, it makes it harder for others to see or recover history files that can contain financial and location information. Also, immature software programs that you have installed that do not clean up after themselves. You need to delete these files intentionally from your browser (cache) and hard drive (recycle bin).

Purpose:
To provide manual method for deleting temporary files from Windows and Internet Explorer. These are folders and files that Windows needed at one time but are no longer useful. Everything in these folders are safe to delete.
To provide a source for data destruction software that permanently cleans these files out, automatically to help you protect your security & identity while covering your browsing tracks.

Cleansing
Software

Internet Security software

Privacy & safety software

HOW TO DELETE your Browsers temporary files?

Internet Explorer 8 & 9 Start up your browser form the Start Menu, bottom task bar or Desktop.

Version 9- Click on Tools> Delete Browsing History and tick mark all of the items, except you may want to "Preserve Favorite website data." You will see a confirmation in a yellow stripe at the bottom of your page when complete- click on the "x" in this box to close. Exit your browser and re-start it.

Version 8- Click on Tools> Delete Browsing History. Check mark Temporary Internet Files and History.

Why?

These temporary files are prime targets for intruders looking for traces of your identity and financial details. Yes, it makes it less convenient to log on to sites you visit frequently that automatically fill in your User name and password.

How to Manually Delete Computer-based Temp files for your computer?
Windows 7 & Vista

1.- Click on your Start button (lower left hand corner) Select the "Run" option, type "%temp%"in the search box and hit the Enter key. It will open the folder that Windows has designated as the Temporary folder. To remove individual folders or files, hold down your Ctrl key while left-clicking on each item you want delete.  Release the Ctrl key when you're finished.
2.- To delete these items, hit your keyboard Delete key or click the "Organize" or File button on the toolbar menu, followed by the Delete option. You will be prompted to confirm that you wish to Delete Multiple Items. Click on Yes to confirm.
If you would prefer to remove everything inside the Temp folder, click on the Organize button and then choose Select All from the menu. Note: If you're prompted that there are hidden files in this folder, just click on OK to bypass the message. A few hidden files hanging out in the Temp folder are not that important enough to worry about. Again, to delete these items, hit your Delete key or click the Organize button on the toolbar menu, followed by the Delete option. You will be prompted again to confirm that you wish to Delete Multiple Items. Click on Yes to confirm.
3. - After all of the files have been deleted you can close the folder window. Return to your Desktop and empty your Recycle Bin. We suggest re-booting your system when the Empty Recycle bin activity is finished.

Tip: You may receive a Error Deleting File or Folder message while the files are being deleted. It means that one of the files is in use by a program you are using right now. Click OK, close all open programs, and repeat the steps above. If you still receive the message, try restarting your PC and repeating the process again.

Other browsers like FireFox, Google Chrome have similar tools to eliminate temporary browser files. There are setting for Adobe Flash player's privacy settings, too.

Why?

Many programs leave temporary files on your computer when installing and updating. These files can leave details of your identity and licensing information, like serial #'s, etc. A thief can use the software you paid for free or potentially sell it to an unsuspecting victim- who ends up struggling to get it to work right.

They do not do anything to run your computer since most are just text files that can grow over time from a program's use. Most do not clean these temporary install files up very well & they just take up space and slow your disk drive(s).

Please note, these files are not permanently removed from your PC since there are programs available that can still recover them from your magnetic disk drive(s). A professional Cleansing program, like Disk Cleaner can encrypt them to the point they are virtually unrecoverable. Also with Diskeeper,  you can assure your privacy, eliminate deleted file fragments and to receive faster start-up, web, email, apps & more. Norton Utilities has improved by adding Speed Disk™ Disk Doctor and UnErase.

To manually delete Windows XP temporary files
1. Exit all programs.
(You can leave this web page open or print these instructions.)

2.- On the Windows taskbar, click Start > Run
In the Run dialog box, type the following text:

%temp%

Click OK.

3.- Your Temp folder will open in Windows Explorer.
On the Edit menu, click Select All.
Press Delete.
If you are asked to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
Click OK.

4.- You will need to empty your Recycle bin (easily found on your desktop) to erase these files. We suggest repeating this procedure each month, after a period of heavy usage and when your computer starts to become sluggish.

To clear browser Temporary cache files- Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8 & 9.
Most browsers have similar functions- Chrome, FireFox, etc.

1.- Start Internet Explorer.
Click Tools > Internet Options.

2.- In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete Cookies box.
and then click OK.

3.- In the Delete files box, click on Delete File & check Delete all offline content, then click OK.

4.- Click on Settings and select "Automatically" for new versions of stored pages." Move the sliding bar to less than or enter "50" MB to indicated the amount of disk space to use for temporary internet files.

5.- Return to your Desktop and empty your Recycle bin. Please, re-boot your system.

We are still trying to ascertain how effective this MS program is. On the outside, it looks more comprehensive but file sizes are increasing. We still suggest a professional cleansing program to eliminate, encrypt and destroy this files for confidentiality purposes.

We suggest going through this process after heavy use and to delete personal financial info on a regular basis. Sometimes, this method will eliminate pesky viruses and spyware that re-install themselves again.