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WebClient Publisher Temporary Files : How to delete them

by Oscar Sodani
June 16, 2006
When running the Windows Disk Cleanup utility, it may warn you that it cannot delete the WebClient/Publisher Temporary Files. What are these files?

Before we continue, you should know that the WebClient Publisher temporary files take up very little space on your hard drive, probably not more than 100kb. Leaving them on your hard drive will cause no ill effects. However, if you really want to get rid of these files, read on...

These files are related to the WebClient service that runs when you startup Windows. The WebClient service allows you to remotely create and edit Internet based files via a protocol called WebDAV.

If you are not a web site developer, there is very little chance that you will ever use WebDAV, and thus the WebClient service. Click here for more information about the WebClient service (see the comments).

If you disable the WebClient service, you will be able to delete the files. Here's how:

  • Click the Start button and choose Run
  • Type services.msc and press Enter
  • Find the WebClient entry and double-click on it
  • Change the Startup Type to Disabled
  • Click OK and close the Services Control Panel
  • Restart your computer
Now, run Disk Cleanup again, and those files will be safely deleted.