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there are many xml(xx).xml in the temp directory

Gary Agoura 201 Reputation points
2024-05-30T23:39:54.26+00:00

During the last week or so, I have notice many files in the C:\TEMP directory. they have sequential numbers and there could be up to a couple hundred. I keep deleting them, but they keep coming back. Anyone know why this is happening?

xml(12)xml.xml

xml(13)xml.xml

xml(14)xml.xml

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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  1. MotoX80 32,551 Reputation points
    2024-05-31T00:32:39.67+00:00

    Download and run Process Monitor.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon

    In the filter menu, set a filter for "Path begins with C:\temp".

    Wait a while until you see some events. Double click on one that references one of those xml files.

    Check the process name, the command line parameters, parent PID and the user it is running as.

    User's image

  2. Neuvi Jiang 465 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-05-31T07:00:40.4033333+00:00

    Hi Gary Agoura,

    Thank you for posting in the Q&A Forums.

    The appearance of a large number of XML files with serial numbers in the folder C:\TEMP may be due to the fact that a program or process is constantly generating these temporary files as it runs. The following are some common possible causes and solutions:

    Programs or scripts generate temporary files:

    Some programs generate temporary files when they run to store intermediate data or processing information. If the program does not handle these temporary files correctly or does not clean them up when it closes, it can cause these files to keep accumulating.

    Timed or scheduled tasks:

    Check the timed or scheduled tasks on your system to see if any of them run at a fixed point in time and generate these files.

    Virus or malware:

    Malware may generate a large number of temporary files on your system. Ensure that you have the latest antivirus software installed on your system and run a full scan to rule out this possibility.

    Log files:

    Some applications may generate log files in XML format. Check to see if any applications are logging in the C:\TEMP directory.

    Best regards

    NeuviJ

    ============================================

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

  3. Gary Agoura 201 Reputation points
    2024-06-01T14:36:28.1666667+00:00

    I checked the TEMP directory and it had about 5 XML files in it but nothing showed in the result window for the Process Monitor. What did I do wrong?

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  4. Philip Edon 0 Reputation points
    2024-06-24T22:46:12.5433333+00:00

    I've had the same problem. It seems to be something to do with the widget in the taskbar ( news, weather etc ). I cleared my temp folder then disabled the widget - No more xml files and others. I'm sorry I cant explain why, it just works. Maybe a MS bug.