File Types in SafeClean 1.0


Here is a list of file types that SafeClean defines as garbage files. You can edit these file types as you want.

File Type Rule Description
Temporary Folders All files in folders "Temp", "Tmp" or "Msdownld.tmp" Most Windows programs store temporary files they use in folders like "temp" etc. In most case, files in these folders can be deleted without risks. If you save some temporary files in these folders by your own (not recommended), you should make sure that you will not delete wrong files.
Temporary Files All files of type "*.tmp", "*.~*", "~*.*", "^*.*" or "*.??$" By default, a Windows program deletes its own temporary files before it shuts down. If this program or your system crashes, these temporary files may be left on your harddisks. These files are mostly safe to delete.
Important: Some old 16 bits program, (e.g. SigmaPlot 3.0 or earlier), have some DLL files that SafeClean judges as temporary files. Please make sure that you won't delete those files. SafeClean have no problems with 32 bits versions of these programs.
Internet Cache Folders Cache files created by web browser Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer These web browsers save your recently visited web pages in your harddisks to make the surfing faster. These cache files can be deleted without risks. But if you are connected by a modem, it is not recommended to touch these files because that will make your web connection slower.
Backup Files All files of type "*.bak" or "*.old" Many programs like to create a backup file automatically when you save your work. Once you are sure that the original copy is correct and in safe, you can delete these backup files.
Help Temporary All files of type "*.gid", "*.fts" or "*.ftg" These files are created by help systems in Windows 95/NT to speed up the searching process. Since that these files will be recreated every time you use Help, deleting them won't be any problem.
Setup Temporary Files "*.---" or "mscreate.dir" Many setup programs create "*.--" files as compressed copies before they are installed. Some install programs do not properly remove them. "Mscreate.dir" are created by installations of Microsoft applications. I don't understand why these files are not deleted and you can safely delete all of them.
Lost Cluster Files "Chklist.*", "*.chk" or "file????._dd" Scandisk and Norton Disk Doctor usually save lost clusters when they detect them. It is recommended to check if these files contain any important information before you delete them.
System Log Files bootlog.prv, modemet.txt, suhdlog.dat, system.1st, *log.txt and ws_ftp.log Windows 95/98/NT creates some log files when new peripherals are detected or errors are occurred. "ws_ftp.log" are created by WS_FTP after any file operation. These files can be deleted safely in most case.
Important: If you are using NetMedic for Windows, please remove "*log.txt" from the file type list. NetMedic save the connection information in "modemLog.txt" etc., and SafeClean may delete these files by mistake.
Broken Shortcuts All broken Shortcuts in Start Menu and on Desktop A broken shortcut means a shortcut linked to a file or folder that does not exist. You can choose if you want to check shortcuts linked into floppy disks and CD-ROMs. SafeClean deletes empty folders in the Start Menu by default, except the "StartUp" folder. SafeClean won't delete a shortcut linked to a disk drive.
Visual C++ Intermediate Files "*.bsc", "*.ilk", "*.obj", "*.pch", "*.pdb" Intermediate files created by Visual C++ to speed up the compiling process. You can safely deleted these files when your project is finished.

Setting files used by SafeClean

File Name Function
Settings.dat Current Settings. Created by SafeClean when first running.
Settings.eng Setting file in English
Settings.chi Setting file in Simplified Chinese
Settings.swe Setting file in Swedish