How to Recover Deleted Temporary Internet Files on Vista

Learn to recover your "lost" temporary internet files.

When you browse the web and access any type of multimedia, many different file types are saved to your computer's temporary internet files directory if you do not save them elsewhere. When you close your web browser, certain files are purged, in order to maintain snappy performance from your web browser. This may result in the loss of files you need. If you wish to retrieve said files, there are a few places to check on your computer.

Instructions

1. Click "My Computer," then "Tools" and select "Options." Check "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files." This will allow your computer to see files that Vista typically hides from the user in order to maintain a clean appearance.

2. Click "Start." Type "Appdata" into the search dialogue box. There should only be one result. Select it, and click "Microsoft," then "Windows." You should see a folder called "Temporary Internet Files." Search this folder for any files you are looking for.

3. Check your computer's Recycle Bin if your files are not in the aforementioned folder.

Tips & Warnings

• Your browser handles the cache for you, meaning that there will always be a running folder of web content stored on your computer. If you close your browser while using an attachment and need to get it back, the above method will work perfectly. That said, if you clear the cache manually, recovering your files will be much more difficult and will most likely require third-party help. Your best bet is to allow your browser to handle the task.

• After changing your computers settings during this process, your computer will display files that are important to Windows as a whole. It would be a wise decision to reverse the settings to protect your files, if not for the safety of computer.

References

• Milin Co: Temporary Internet Files