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  3. <utilisateur>
  4. AppData
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  6. Microsoft
  7. Windows
  8. Temporary Internet Files
FolderRisk: Caution
  • Hidden
  • Legacy from XP

Temporary Internet Files C:\Users\<utilisateur>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

Legacy location of the WinINET cache (Internet Explorer and apps that use it), replaced by INetCache. The folder must stay, even when emptied.

Updated on By AltF4 Formation

What it’s for

Temporary Internet Files is the old location of the WinINET cache, the networking library behind Internet Explorer and some applications. The cache saves downloading pages, images and scripts again. On recent Windows versions the live cache sits in the neighbouring INetCache folder.

What it contains

  • Since Windows Vista the cache is kept in two isolated WinINET containers: one for sites loaded in Protected Mode (see the Low folder), the other for all other sites.
  • In File Explorer the folder appears as a simplified view defined by its desktop.ini file (a namespace extension). The real files live in a Content.IE5 subfolder.

Risks and best practices

  • The content is a cache and is rebuilt as you browse. Clear it by deleting browsing history or running Disk Cleanup rather than from File Explorer.
  • Leave the folder itself and its desktop.ini in place.
  • If the cache index is corrupted, emptying the content usually fixes it. The next few downloads will be slower.
  • Service profiles (SYSTEM, NetworkService) keep their own cache inside their profile.

Useful commands

Fenêtre de terminal
# Folder content, hidden items included
Get-ChildItem "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue


# Compare with the current cache location
Get-ChildItem "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Folder contents

Folders 1

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