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Firefox loads C:\documentsandsettings\username\localsettings\temp with empty files and it clogs the system. Tried IE and it does not do that. What is answer?

lindamblair
lindamblair
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When Firefox runs it creates a series of empty temp files in C:\documentsandsettings\username\localsettings\temp. These files become so numerous that they clog the system. I tried IE and other software and they do not cause the problem. Only Firefox does it. If it's malware, and it probably is, what do I look for? AVG and Malwarebytes full scans have not found anything. The file names are a succession of hex numbers with a .tmp extention; such as 4f23.tmp 4f24.tmp 4f25.tmp etc. If I don't delete these files after every firefox session they will accumulate into the hundreds of thousands of empty .tmp files slowing the system to a halt. This only came about very recently. Firefox used to work just fine on this system with no problems whatsoever. The machine having this problem uses Windows XP with Service Pack 3.

When Firefox runs it creates a series of empty temp files in C:\documentsandsettings\username\localsettings\temp. These files become so numerous that they clog the system. I tried IE and other software and they do not cause the problem. Only Firefox does it. If it's malware, and it probably is, what do I look for? AVG and Malwarebytes full scans have not found anything. The file names are a succession of hex numbers with a .tmp extention; such as 4f23.tmp 4f24.tmp 4f25.tmp etc. If I don't delete these files after every firefox session they will accumulate into the hundreds of thousands of empty .tmp files slowing the system to a halt. This only came about very recently. Firefox used to work just fine on this system with no problems whatsoever. The machine having this problem uses Windows XP with Service Pack 3.

Chosen solution

Doing a Firefox Refresh solved the problem. Be sure to delete unwanted/unneeded files to recover drive space. Also, restarting in Safe Mode did not help.

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All Replies (3)

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
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WinXP isn't supported beyond Firefox 52 and 52 ESR.

Which version are you using?

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Firefox uses the TEMP folder for downloads, but the cache is separate, so I don't know what those files are.

Could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? In Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement? (More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode)

lindamblair
lindamblair Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Doing a Firefox Refresh solved the problem. Be sure to delete unwanted/unneeded files to recover drive space. Also, restarting in Safe Mode did not help.