Change location of TEMP files folder to another drive

Hi Mike,

To change the location of the System Temp folder, follow the steps given below.

1.       Right click on Computer and click on Properties. In the resulting window with the basic information about your computer

2.       Click on Advanced system settings on the left panel resulting in a dialog box click on the Advanced tab a

3.       Click on the button near the bottom labeled Environment Variables.

4.       You may see both TMP and TEMP listed in the section labeled User variables for (account). That's the common location; each different login account is assigned its own temporary location.

5.       In the Variable value Edit box you may specify the path to the directory that Windows and many other programs will use for temporary files.

Be sure and repeat that process for both TMP and TEMP.

You'll need to restart any running programs for the new value to take effect. In fact, you'll need to restart Windows for it to begin using the new value for its own temporary files.

To change the location of the Internet Temp folder, follow the steps given below.

Note: That Internet Explorer moves cookies to the new folder and the old folder is removed. Additionally, the following message is displayed when you attempt to move the Temporary Internet Files folder:

Warning: Moving the location of your Temporary Internet Files folder will delete all your subscription data.

1. Create a new folder to store the files. For example, if you want to store the files in a folder named Ietemp on drive D, create the following folder:

D:\Ietemp

For information about how to create a folder, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type new folder, and then double-click the "New Folders" topic.

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. On the General tab, click Settings.
4. Click Move Folder.
5. Click the folder you created in Step 1.
6. Click OK, click OK, and then click OK again.
7. Restart your computer

You can change the location of Internet explorer temp folder; there is no security threat to your computer.

Hope this information is helpful.

Amrita M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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