XP housekeeping for multi-user accounts

[HomeSA]

I am still learning XP. I have noticed that the content of recycle bin and temp folders are different for different user accounts. Emptying the recycle bin has to be repeated for every account and the same for temp folders. Doing it from admin account doesn't clear user accounts. Using Disk Cleanup also clears folders for the particular user/admin account and not all. Am I seeing this correctly? Does the housekeeping have to be repeated for every XP account? How about clearing cookies from IE? The same?

Is there a "best practice" to keep a multi-user account XP machine clean and tidy?

Which brings me to another question. Does it matter if the AV, spyware, etc., scans are done using an admin account versus a user account?

Thanks .. HomeSA

[Paul Komski]

The recycle bin is a "virtual" or special folder and is thus different for each user. The Temporary Internet Files folder is another special folder for each user but the more specific cookies folder is a normal folder - though there is still one for each user account.

You could try ExplorerXP (http://www.ExplorerXP.com) to dig down deeper and you might (as admin) be able to use it to help you clear the folders centrally.

Scans will scan those areas dictated by any admin user in the programs options. If ordinary users have been given the right to use the progs then they can scan just like anyone else.