Windows 7 / Getting Started

---

Temporary Internet files settings

You can change some settings that apply to temporary Internet files. Once again, click Tools and choose Internet Options or choose Tools → Internet Options from Internet Explorer's menu bar. This time, though, click the Settings button under Browser History. The Temporary Internet Files and History Settings dialog box.

The first set of options determines how and when Internet Explorer checks for new versions of files that are in your temporary Internet files folder. Automatic is the preferred setting. This allows Internet Explorer to use its own built-in programming logic to make a best guess about whether it's worth taking the time to check for newer versions of files. The guess is usually right. But you can always click the Refresh button or choose View → Refresh to download the page to be sure.

The first two options force Internet Explorer to check every time you visit the page or every time you start Internet Explorer. Theoretically, either of these options would ensure that you always have the most up-to-date content. Both, however, will also likely force Internet Explorer to check more than is necessary, and perhaps slow down your whole Web-browsing experience, especially if you have a slow Internet connection.

The Never option is risky because you really have no way of knowing whether the page you're viewing in your browser is in sync with what's currently on the Web server. You would have to use the Refresh button every time you visit a page to make sure you have the most current content.

The Disk Space to Use option lets you decide how much hard drive space you're willing to sacrifice for storing temporary Internet files. Keep in mind that hard drive space is measured in gigabytes (GB), and the setting is measured in megabytes (MB). A gigabyte is 1,024MB, so even the largest setting is still relatively small.

The Current location shows where your Temporary Internet Files folder is located on your hard disk. If your drive C is running low on space and you have a second hard drive in the computer, you can click the Move Folder button to place the temporary files on that other drive.

Note The Temporary Internet Files folder is hidden and protected. If you try to get to it with Windows Explorer, you may not have any luck. You have to choose Show Hidden Files and Folders and deselect the Hide Protected Operating System Files check box in the Folder Options dialog box to see the folder.

The View objects button shows icons for Web objects in the Temporary Internet Files folder. Objects are different from pages and pictures. They're small programs that allow you to use more advanced Web features. For example, you'd likely find things such as the Adobe Flash Player and Windows Genuine Advantage tool in there, if you've downloaded those items.

Objects aren't deleted when you clear out your Temporary Internet Files folder. If they were, you would have to manually download and install them again. But if you ever needed to delete some object, on the advice of a professional, you could do so in that folder.

The View Files button shows the files that are currently stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder. Some of these may be retained when you clear your temporary Internet files, because the convenience of keeping them outweighs the benefits of clearing them. But if there was some problem with the site and the Webmaster recommended eliminating the file, you could do so from the folder.

The Days to Keep Pages in History setting relates to the History pane at the left side of Internet Explorer's program window. To see that pane, press Ctrl+H or click the Favorites Center button and then click History. Or choose View → History. The number you enter specifies how bar back your History keeps track of visited Web sites. For example, if you set it to 7, your History list will never show addresses of sites you visited more than a week ago.