I have been given the task of automating the deletion of files in a Win XP users Temporary Internet Files directory, as well as their cookies directory. Both of these directories can be found in Documents and Settings\username\Local Setttings. I thought this would be a very simple task, I found the variables for current user and system drive, and write a batch file to delete all of the files in both directories. When I tried testing it nothing was getting deleted from Temporary Internet Files, and in fact from the NT command prompt you can't even see this directory unless you explicitly cd into it. It's a read only directory, and I tried to change that both through the GUI and with attrib from CL. Windows wouldn't let me do it. Next I tried deleting the files with a VBScript, and that failed to work with this directory as well. The only thing I can do that sort of works is invoke the Disk Cleanup wizard from the CL, but it won't remove the cookies in this directory, just the temp files. Does anyone know how to get Windows to let you automate file deletion in this directory?? I am all out of ideas.

In Internet browser go to tools, Internet options, Advanced tab, scroll down to Security and tick Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed. I don't no if this clears cookies as well. May be not PhilC

Tools/Internet Options/General

As PhilC says - for the TIF's - but this doesn't empty the Cookies

Do this. Right click on your desktop and make a new "text" document. THen copy and paste this command without the asterisks. "@echo on cd %homedrive%%homepath% rd /s/q locals~1\tempor~1 rd /s/q locals~1\temp\tempor~1 rd /s/q cookies rd /s/q temp\cookies rd /s/q locals~1\history rd /s/q locals~1\temp\history rd /s/q recent md recent rd /s/q locals~1\temp md locals~1\temp " call the file clean.cmd and save it in the directory C:\Documents and Settings\user\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. The user is yourself. Reboot

I am supposed to avoid the Tools Option, because... What I don't understand is why Windows has such a grip on this directory, I mean it's a temp dir, who cares. Pucho I tried that, and it didn't work for me, however I will play with it a bit more and see if I can get it to work. This is what has come the closest to working for me(in a bat file): cleanmgr /sagerun:11 cd %HOMEDRIVE%\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\cookies del * /q exit

I hate to recommend software to solve problems, but it seems perfect for your needs. Check out "Pop up Stopper Professional" at www.panicware.com. It lets you clean up a variety of internet 'trails' such as history, cookies, temp files, and url history. Check it out.