What is this DAT file in my Temp folder?

[bsu74]

;) Hi! I found this DAT file(what does DAT stand for) in my Temp file folder?
Is this something that I really need and if I dont, how do I get rid of it, because it wouldn't delete. Thanks for your reply. The name of the file is "Perflib_Perfdata_6c4.dat"

[Baser-X]

DAT files (.dat)
DAT files are data files, usually comma delimited, that contain data in ASCII format. These files are able to be open in a variety of programs including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Notepad.

If you are unable to delete it, it is most likely in use; try deleting it in safe mode.

[bsu74]

is this "perflib_perfdata_6c4.dat" file anything I am going to need? Will it cause me problems if I don't delete it or is it ok to leave alone. It is in the Temp file. Thanks

[Baser-X]

With Dat files, if you delete them the program that was using it will just create a new one, so it's not going to hurt anything either way. Just to be on the safe side, you may want to run SpybotS&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html) and AdAware SE (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) to make sure there's no spyware. The .dat file could be collecting data and transmitting it for for targeted advertising or whatever.

edit: Make sure you update both programs before running them. They are both free.

[degsy]

Anything in the temp folder is just that. You can delete those files.
As stated, if it is in use then you will get an error when trying to delete it.

[Ned Seagoon]

Hi bsu74

All the preceding information is correct, however a good practice when deleting files that you are not sure about, is to rename them and wait to see if anything doesn't work properly, if so you can change the name back again. I use .old

Also you can try to open an unknown file with notepad or wordpad to see if you can get a clue as to what is using it by looking at any text that may be there. Often files that are full of machine language or whatever have the odd bit of text that points you in the right direction. BF

[bsu74]

Thanks guys!!! I appreciate the info!!