I discovered I have a file in the C:/Windows/Temp folder. The file continually changes it filename about once or twice every second. If I try to delete it, it has changed its filename before I can confirm that I want to delete it. The only way I can delete it is to delete the entire Temp folder. But as soon as I make a new Temp folder, the changing temp file returns. Or if I turn the computer off, then on again, the temp folder returns on its own and the changing filename returns also. Is this something I should worry about?
You're most welcome!!
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Thank you! I had not been using Bing, but there was a Bing icon on my taskbar. First I unpinned it from the taskbar, but the changing file was still there. Then uninstalled "Bing Bar" Then the changing file was gone. I think I used Bing once or twice several months ago, but haven't used it since. I've been using Google or Google Chrome.
Anyway, mystery solved! Thank you!
Hello again. Doing some research those temp file are created by seaport.exe which are Microsoft search enhancement applications. They are perfectly normal. If you have a Bing Bar enabled in your browser of choice and/or use Bing as your default search engine those are the applications most likely generating the temp files. Hope this clears things up for you.
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I am using Windows 7. I deleted the temp files under username, then shut down and restarted the computer. The file that keeps changing its filename still exists. Then I ran malwarebyte. It found 18 possible threats which it quarantined. But the changing file still exists. Then I tried restoring system to a previous date - I chose March 14, 2019, because I was sure that was before the problem file appeared. This still did not get rid of the file that keeps changing its name. The file appeared after a string of events. I was wanting to look at a website catalogue of kitchen sinks. I was told I needed to update Adobe Reader in order to view the file. I OK'd that, but then a message popped up that several (I think 8) drivers needed updating - the message was not from windows, nor Norton, nor any known trusted site, so I closed it without updating anything. After that, the driver update message kept popping up. That was when the temp file that changes its name first appeared. My husband was able to get rid of the popup message but the changing filename file continues to exist. The file name always starts with SEP. Some examples I managed to jot down are SEPA366.tmp SEPBFF7.tmp SEPE6C2.tmp SEPP2FF.tmp SEP28DE.tmp SEP7152.tmp but there were several in between these. I couldn't write the filenames down as fast as it was changing. It's like I can watch the filename change right before my eyes - continually. Thank you
Mehul, I respectfully disagree. Running Windows 10 Pro x 64, ALL the files in C:\Windows\Temp up to and including the entire folder CAN be safely removed manually. Clearing mine a couple minutes ago NO FILES are reappearing. Please see screenshot.
Conversely, temp files related to the current user login and account fall under C:\User Name\AppData\ where three folders should appear. A sub-directory should be there C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Low\Temp. These files are for the current logged in user. Files there WILL appear and change, not in the fashion being described above.
J Milstead. Download and run a copy of Malwarebytes just to make sure you haven't accidentally gotten a PUP or PUA which are both unwanted programs, usually installed from freeware or other means. Let us know if it finds and clears the issue you are seeing. Please let us know what OS you are using as well. Thanks in advance.
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J MILSTEAD:I discovered I have a file in the C:/Windows/Temp folder. The file continually changes it filename about once or twice every second. If I try to delete it, it has changed its filename before I can confirm that I want to delete it. The only way I can delete it is to delete the entire Temp folder. But as soon as I make a new Temp folder, the changing temp file returns. Or if I turn the computer off, then on again, the temp folder returns on its own and the changing filename returns also. Is this something I should worry about?
J MILSTEAD
"C:/Windows/Temp" folder is a necessary folder for the OS to operate properly. You should not delete the same. It is used by the OS to store Temporary files generated during the operation of OS. You need not worry about it. The system will delete the temporary files in the "C:/Windows/Temp" folder at regular intervals when they are not necessary, but the OS has to be set accordingly to do that in the settings at "Control Panel\System and Security\Security and Maintenance\Automatic Maintenance". It should be enabled. Naturally assuming you have Windows 10 OS.