DeletingTIF files using DOS

Altho I have used Window's method for deleting TIF files for two years, thought that I should learn the method using DOS to do a thorough cleanup. I went to Start/Shutdown/Restart in DOS mode/then to cd\windows....Hit Enter,smartdrv....Enter,deltree tempor~1...Enter.

Nothing happens! What am I doing incorrectly? Could someone give this simple person a few tips as to where I am going wrong?

 

I don't know if this really makes a difference, but in my little book where I write down all these neat tips from this board D ) I have it written to go to a C prompt, not a WINDOWS prompt. Then when you type 'deltree', make sure there is a space after that and then type C:\windows\tempor~1.....enter. Then tell it Y.

Try it and let us know if this was better. Then again, someone else may jump in and say WHY this works better or WHY your way didn't.

You can do the same thing to clean your history and cookie folders. OH! And reboot using CTRL/ALT/DEL.

Good luck.

 

deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1
The /y bypasses the prompt if you want to really delete. It doesn't matter which directory you are in if you type in the above line, except not being in the directory you are deleting. You can leave out the smartdrv command, as you are not copying files when doing this.

 

DANGER Will Robinson!!

Using the /y switch with the deltree command when you aren't sure of what you're doing is the most dangerous thing I can think of for losing your important files.

I recommend not using it except for batch files that you have carefully constructed so as to assure what's going to be done.

Verify that your TIF folder is located in the Windows directory and if so, the command = deltree c:\windows\tempor~1

You also were correct with the command = deltree tempor~1 when you were resident in the Windows directory. Either way is fine.

Incidentally, I always use the smartdrv command to load the disk caching since I have found that it really speeds things up, especially if you have lots of TIF's. It IS effective for the delete operation.

 

Also if the Autoexec.bat does not contain a path statement, you may need to include the full path to deltree. THis is quite often overlooked when using Windows 98 and up as it does not always build a config.sys or Autoexec.bat as they are not need for Windows but DOS does need them.

For example;

C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1

I agree with Zephyr about leaving the /y out of the command. There is no recycle bin for DOS.

If a path statement does exist it should be;

Path=C:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND

With the path in the autoexec, DOS commands can be run from anywhere.

BillyBob

 

When you say that nothing happens, do you mean that the PC hangs, or that it returns to the DOS prompt without any messages?


If it is the latter, it could be because the \TIF folder is really under \windows\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

In which case try

Deltree c:\windows\locals~1\tempor~1

After confirming that the directory name is correct, respond with Y

I too recommend the SMARTDRV entry first, since it does speed deletions.
I don't think it is a PATH problem. If it were it should have returned a Bad Command or file name error.

 

I don't think it is a PATH problem. If it were it should have returned a Bad Command or file name error.

WhitPhil
You are quite correct. But I would not count 100% on it doing that. I have been surprised a few times myself.

Unless I missed it somewhere I have not seen which version of Windows is being used. As far as DOS goes 98 FE & SE are one thing. Windows ME is another.

Please do not quote me here but, from what I recall DELTREE may not even be in Windows ME. I can not be sure about that as I only had ME installed for a few days. But I do know that the DOS in ME was missing a few things.

BillyBob

 

Deleting TIF from DOS

Thankyou to everyone for all of the interesting possible answers in helping me to learn how to delete TIF from DOS.

WhitPhil.....I found that the TIF was under Local Settings so I used the command you suggested and ,indeed, it said that files were deleting. I have one more question......How do I know when they are all deleted? No confirmation......should I have waited longer before I typed EXIT?

 

You did fine june. If the prompt returned, it was finished executing. It never tells you anything, just as it didn't tell you when you were sending it astray.

 

it could be because the \TIF folder is really under \windows\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

OK apparently in this case they were there but I do have to ask.

How in the world do they get there and what version of Windows puts them there ?

I have been told not only that they may be there but that they should be. I have never seen them there in any version of Windows that I have used. ( 95 up to and including ME. )

BillyBob

 

BB:
I think it is IE related. Somewhere between IE5.0 and now at IE5.01SP2 (my PC), the TIF moved to \Local Settings. I also think I have seen either a MS note or another thread that indicated one of the Office installs also affected the location.

So, anytime someone asks about viewing or deleting TIF files, I note both possible locations.

 

WhitPhil

Thank you for the info.

I have one machine with IE5.5 and two with IE6. And no TIF under Local Settings.

Looks like it is one of them things that gets put somewhere but unless we pay strict attention we don't know when or by what.

I will try to remember to mention both locations also.

BillyBob