If I clean theses two files...do I lose them? And am I actually going to gain some memory in the hard drive?
The main advantage is temp file removals. Yes, to that extent, you gain back memory that is used for temp purposes. Yes, you lose those files, but they aren't good for much. If one of your programs needs a temp file, it creates one. Compressing other files does not hurt. The real bennies come from defrag, since it removes unnecessary tags from fragmented file storage. Close all open programs and save your work first.
Safe to delete though I'm not sure if you will free any RAM memory that way. You need to see what extra background applications and processes are running and then determine if you truly need them running. Lot's of apps set themselves to load at startup even if you don't need them running. CTRL-ALT-DELETE and take a look at your Task Manager Applications and Processes.
Mostly correct, the temp files not in use are on disk. That's the main reason to close programs. Apps that auto load simply eat page use in RAM. Also a good reason to do custom setups of software so default loading doesn't happen.
Depending upon the size of your hard drive and the amount of memory you have in your system, I'd just remove the temp files and not compress the old files. Your not gaining that much hard disk space by doing it really. If you're trying to clean up or tune up your pc, then I'd recommend doing the following; 1. Go to here and download the free disk degrag tool that works way faster then the Windows version http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download Then download these other great tools also; http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-defrag/download http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/system-information/download When you're doing the installs, be sure NOT TO INSTALL THE ASK TOOLBAR! Just install each tool and then I'd start with opening up your web browser and deleting your temporary internet files, cookies, and history. Then reboot into safe mode and run the auslogics disk defrag. Then reboot into normal mode and run the registry cleaner, and then the registry defrag tool. The disk defrag tool will reboot your computer to run it. You can also go to start> run> cmd> and type chkdsk/f . It will most likely ask you that it has to do it on the next restart of your system then just type y and hit enter. Then reboot your computer and it should run and clean up any errors in your files or indexes. If you don't have a good anti-malware tool, go to http://www.malwarebytes.org/ and download the free version. This is a great tool, but you do have to update it and run it "manually at your leizure", or you can buy the better version and it will do it automatically for you. Anyway, download it to your desktop and then run it. At the end there should be a check in each box to update and launch the app. Let it do that and then let it scan your computer in quick scan mode first to see if it finds any spyware on your system. If it does it usually will require a reboot to remove any malicious crap from your system. If you want you can run it again in full scan mode and see if any malware got stuck in unusual places in your OS to fully disinfect your computer.
+1 on Malwarebytes. It catches things that neither AVG, Windows Defender and Spybot Search and Destroy miss.
The cynic in me feels that Malwarebytes might be responsible for some of those 'malware bytes' that are too bleeding edge for the big guys to have in their index yet. Self fulfilling prophecy?
The thing with spyware is that it's not your normal viruses or worms. It is either trojans, root kits, or other malicious code that anti-virus apps usually don't catch. 10 yrs ago it was almost all viruses and worms that you had to watch out for, now most infections come from spyware/malware now. But I do know that malwarebytes works and it works good. Spybot search and destroy works fairly good too, but it seems that each vendor catches things the other don't due to their own catalog of known infections. That's why it's good to run more than one anti-malware app to ensure that your system is free of infections.
+1 on the multiple barriers. I shitcanned Norton after running the free AVG and it found all sorts of stuff that Norton ignored, then loaded on a couple other freebies that scraped the barrel a bit cleaner. I'm down to 4 that seem to work well as a team on this machine. MB has scooped up Trojan.Agent where the others missed it. I feel a bit guilty admitting that I have only one AV program on the laptop. My techie in VA recommended Norman, so I'm giving it a try. So far, so good, but scanning takes way long. m, your cynicism is not misplaced, there are some out there that self infect, then clean themselves up and demonstrate that paying for it is worthwhile. C/Net (I think) does product evals now and then. If they ain't done the one you are being baited for, I'd shy away.
After being referred to AVG it's all I use now.... I dumped Norton, and McAfee. Neither seemed to be efficient. I dfrag about once a week when needed, even if it says I don't need to.... I run all cleaning utlities each night before I shut down the system. I used to have all kinds of problems....had a $1,200.00 custom unit built...all went down. Now on my 9th or is it the 10th? Can't remember, but this one is a used POS from a gamer, that had to be erased and all memory dumped. All in all, I can't complain about it, except being s-l-o-w...for $75.00, including the monitor, keyboard, speakers, mouse, and cords.... It small, but it works! HP Vectra VL420 MT... No longer can use Youtube, as the sound was erased in the process, and HP's site wants me to downlod the drivers by way of a mini-floppy! LOL!
I know that you have to do the floppy for the BIOS update, but you should be downloading an .exe file of 3.2 mb for the HP System Software Manager download. That is the only download I can see that might have the audio driver you need. Are you running XP Pro or Home on that HP dragonfly?
Along with AVG, I also use Adaware since it is a proven tool to remove malicious malware. It helps to also run a GOOD registry cleaner, too. There are some out there that can harm your PC, so you have to be cautious. I have used RegCure for about a year now with no problems, but I have the paid version. When you are trying to make your computer boot faster and when you don't need a bunch of programs to load on boot (and you can't turn it off in the program itself), you can do this: Open command prompt (windows button + R) type 'msconfig' into the box, go to the "startup" tab and deselect any progs that you no longer wish to boot on startup. Just remember NOT to disable any system files or you will cause problems.
To clean up useless junk I use CCleaner. It's only like 3MB and is very simple. It cleans up useless files, registry errors, allows you to uninstall pesky programs and allows you to choose everything on your startup. Pretty handy if you ask me.
I use that also. It has a really good file shredder also, which writes over the file before deleting it (I know what this means since I am a digital forensics major). Of course, not everybody uses Encase or other forensic software regularly...but it's also not like everybody is downloading kiddy pr0n either. I just like the satisfaction of knowing that "my data" is not "your data" too.
I'm in the same boat. I don't do anything illegal but I still don't want anything I do floating around. Just like all my mail, even my junk mail. I shred it. Don't like giving anyone clues.