How to Change the Location of Temporary Internet Files

This article describes how to change the location of the Temporary Internet Files folder.

The Temporary Internet Files folder is used to store data received from the Internet. By default, this folder is located in the Windows folder. If user profiles are enabled on the computer on which Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01 is installed, the Temporary Internet Files folder is located in the <windows>\Profiles\<username>\ folder, where <windows> is the folder in which Windows is installed, and <username> is the name you use to log onto Windows. To move the temporary files to another folder, follow these steps:

Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01, Windows 98

When you move the Temporary Internet Files folder in Internet Explorer 4.0, all of your subscription data is deleted and any cookies you have accumulated remain in the old Temporary Internet Files folder.

Note that Internet Explorer 4.01 and Windows 98 move 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 in Internet Explorer 4.01 or Windows 98:

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

Internet Explorer 5, 5.5

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:

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

Internet Explorer 3.0

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

NOTE: User defined Internet Explorer 3.x Temporary Internet Files folders are not maintained when you upgrade to Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01. Instead, the Temporary Internet Files folder is reset to the Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01 default folder (Windows\Temporary Internet Files folder or Windows\Profiles\<username>\Temporary Internet Files folder). This is required to support individual Temporary Internet Files folders for users in Internet Explorer 4.0 and 4.01.