Hidden files and Such.

[Terminal23]

I would like a list of all the files that I can safely delete such as temp files,etc...in Windows XP and what files that have information that might be sensitive.I bought a program called Evidence Terminator and it does a nice job.But,I don't want to leave any stone unturned.There are also some hidden files that you can only see through DOS.Of course I don't know how when DOS does not exist on XP or at least I thought it didn't.Any help would be appreciated.

[drojman]

I too would like to know this.. I haven't even went through and manually deleted any temp files, because I didn't want to screw anything up! It's nice being able to come home from work, play games, get on techimo, send email etc, and not have to reboot! My computer has been on for weeks with out having to reboot! It rocks!

[S.D.Willie]

im interested myself with this post but i have always deleted anything and everything in my temp folder, temporary internet folder, cookies, etc and never had a problem. you can clean out cache if you want to as well. also, i dont think anyfile will show up in dos that wont show in windows providing you have your folder options set appropiately.

SD

[BITM@D]

You need a programme called "Spider" it clears those 'hidden files' and yes those files do show every website you have ever been to since the OS was installed (try deleting index.dat from your cookies or Internet Temporary Files).

Don't believe me? Download this software and it will show you (I was stunned!) then you can delete it which requires a re-boot so it can work in DOS. XP...I don't know.

http://www.fsm.nl/ward/index.html

After deleting all Internet temps and cookies (except the techimo, google and other ones that you trust) I also do a search for *.tmp and delete all of them (make sure you aren't running any programmes). Then I run Spider and reboot. Then I run Spider again just to make sure. Then you could run a 'free space wiper' like Eraser to overwrite all your free space and that would be a pretty good start I reckon.

[lynchmob]

I'm not sure about XP,but,most versions of windows has the Disk Cleanup utility.Programs>accessories>system tools>disk cleanup.
I use Norton's Clean Sweep to rid my comp(s) of useless files etc.The cookie cleaner and plug-in remover and activeX control applets,which are built in to Clean Sweep,are also useful sometimes.
I have also gone to c:\temp internet files,opened it from explorer's left side to expose the files,clicked edit>select all and hit the delete button.
lynch

[Sixpac_XP]

Thanks for the spiderbite link...

using it right now.

cleaned up about 1200 files (and I always clear my cache and cookies )

[BITM@D]

Did you see all the web sites that you have been to? Pretty sneaky eh?