How To Move IE Temporary Internet Files Folder To Default Location

Why Move the IE Temporary Internet Files Folder?

Have you ever wondered why your computer’s performance slows down over time? One of the reasons could be the accumulation of temporary internet files. These files are stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder, a default location on your computer where Internet Explorer saves website content such as images, scripts, and other data to improve your browsing experience.

By default, the Temporary Internet Files folder is located on your system drive (usually C:), which can quickly fill up with a large amount of data. This can lead to decreased disk space, slower loading times, and potential performance issues. Moving the IE Temporary Internet Files folder to a different location can help mitigate these problems and improve the overall performance of your computer.

Not only does moving the Temporary Internet Files folder help free up disk space, but it also allows for better organization of your files. You can choose a location on a different drive with more available space, such as an external hard drive or a secondary partition. This way, you can ensure that your system drive remains uncluttered and optimized for faster performance.

An additional advantage of relocating the Temporary Internet Files folder is the ability to reduce the risk of data loss. If your computer crashes or you need to reinstall the operating system, the files stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder on the system drive may be lost. By moving the folder to another location, you can safeguard important website data and easily restore it when needed.

Furthermore, if you are concerned about privacy and security, moving the Temporary Internet Files folder can be beneficial. Some users may prefer to keep their browsing history or cache files separate from the system drive to prevent unauthorized access or potential data breaches. By moving the folder, you can add an extra layer of protection to your personal information.

Step 1: Open Internet Explorer Settings

To begin the process of moving the IE Temporary Internet Files folder, you need to access the settings in Internet Explorer. Follow these steps:

1. Launch Internet Explorer by double-clicking on its icon on the desktop or searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Once Internet Explorer is open, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the window. This will open the Settings menu.
3. In the drop-down menu, click on “Internet Options” towards the bottom of the list. This will open the Internet Options window.
4. In the Internet Options window, switch to the “General” tab if it’s not already selected.
5. Within the General tab, you will find the “Browsing history” section. Here, click on the “Settings” button.

By following these steps, you will successfully access the Internet Explorer settings menu, which is the starting point for moving the IE Temporary Internet Files folder. In the next steps, we will proceed with changing the folder location to optimize your browsing experience and computer performance.

Step 2: Change Temporary Internet Files Folder Location

Now that you have accessed the Internet Explorer settings, it’s time to change the location of the Temporary Internet Files folder. Follow these steps:

1. In the Internet Options window, under the “Browsing history” section, click on the “Settings” button.
2. A new window will appear titled “Website Data Settings.” Here, click on the “Move Folder” button.
3. Another window will pop up titled “Browse for Folder.” Select the location where you want to move the Temporary Internet Files folder.
4. Navigate to the desired location using the folders displayed in the window. You can choose a folder on your system drive or select a different drive altogether.
5. Once you have selected the desired location, click on the “Ok” button to confirm the folder selection.

By following these steps, you will successfully change the location of the Temporary Internet Files folder in Internet Explorer. The next step will involve confirming the changes and ensuring that Internet Explorer recognizes the new folder location.

Step 3: Choose a New Location

When moving the IE Temporary Internet Files folder, it’s important to choose a new location that will suit your needs and optimize your computer’s performance. Follow these steps to select a new location:

1. When the “Browse for Folder” window appears, navigate through your computer’s directory structure to find the desired location for the Temporary Internet Files folder.
2. You can choose to create a new folder specifically for the IE Temporary Internet Files or select an existing folder.
3. If you decide to create a new folder, click on the “New Folder” button in the “Browse for Folder” window. Give the folder a descriptive name that will help you easily identify it.
4. Alternatively, if you opt to use an existing folder, select it and click on the “Ok” button to confirm your choice.

It is recommended to choose a location with sufficient storage space and on a drive that is separate from your system drive. This can help improve the performance of both Internet Explorer and your computer as a whole, as it reduces the workload on the system drive.

Once you have selected the new location, you can proceed to the next step and confirm the changes to complete the process of moving the IE Temporary Internet Files folder.

Step 4: Confirm the Changes

After choosing a new location for the IE Temporary Internet Files folder, it’s important to confirm the changes to ensure that Internet Explorer recognizes the new folder location. Follow these steps:

1. In the “Website Data Settings” window, review the new folder location displayed in the “Temporary Internet Files” field.
2. Double-check that the selected folder is the desired location where you want to move the Temporary Internet Files.
3. If you need to make any adjustments, click on the “Move Folder” button to return to the “Browse for Folder” window and select a different location.
4. Once you are satisfied with the new folder location, click on the “Ok” button in the “Website Data Settings” window to confirm the changes.
5. This will close the “Website Data Settings” window and return you to the “Internet Options” window.
6. Click on the “Ok” button in the “Internet Options” window to save the changes and close the window.

By following these steps, you will successfully confirm the changes to the location of the IE Temporary Internet Files folder. The next step will involve restarting Internet Explorer to ensure that the new folder location is fully implemented.

Step 5: Restart Internet Explorer

After confirming the changes to the location of the IE Temporary Internet Files folder, the next step is to restart Internet Explorer. This will ensure that the new folder location is fully implemented and that Internet Explorer recognizes it. Follow these steps to restart Internet Explorer:

1. If you still have the “Internet Options” window open, click on the “Ok” button to close it.
2. Close any other open windows or tabs in Internet Explorer.
3. Click on the “X” button in the top-right corner of the Internet Explorer window to close it.
4. Wait a few moments to ensure that Internet Explorer is fully closed and not running in the background.
5. Double-click the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop or search for it in the Start menu to relaunch the browser.

By following these steps, you will successfully restart Internet Explorer, allowing it to recognize the changes to the location of the Temporary Internet Files folder. Once Internet Explorer is reopened, it will start using the new folder location to store website data and improve your browsing experience.

Step 6: Delete Old Temporary Internet Files Folder

Now that you have successfully moved the IE Temporary Internet Files folder to a new location and restarted Internet Explorer, it’s time to delete the old folder to free up disk space. Follow these steps to delete the old Temporary Internet Files folder:

1. Open Windows Explorer by simultaneously pressing the Windows key and the E key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start menu and select “File Explorer.”
2. In the Windows Explorer window, navigate to the previous location of the Temporary Internet Files folder. By default, this is usually located on your system drive (usually C:). The path should be something like “C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files”.
3. Select all the files and folders in the Temporary Internet Files folder by pressing Ctrl+A on your keyboard or by clicking on the “Edit” tab in the top-left corner of the window and selecting “Select All.”
4. Once all the files and folders are selected, press the Delete key on your keyboard or right-click anywhere within the selected files and folders and choose “Delete.”
5. A confirmation window will appear asking if you want to permanently delete these files. Click on the “Yes” button to proceed.

By following these steps, you will successfully delete the old Temporary Internet Files folder and all its contents. This will help free up valuable disk space on your system drive, ensuring better performance and optimizing your computer’s storage capacity.