Unusual Folder Behaviour

[justacruzr2]

I've had this strange folder behaviour in XP Pro MCE for some time and I'm trying to correct it.  Although it's currently Media Center Edition, it was doing this when it was only XP Pro so I hope no one minds me posting this in the XP forum.  I added the MCE ability later.  Anyway, here's what's happening.  The system creates extra Cookies, History and Temporary Internet Files folders in C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Temp.  Those folders already exist under C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Cookies and C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\History and Temporary Internet Files.  That's where they're supposed to be.  So I'm trying to figure out why they're being duplicated in C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Temp which is not where they're supposed to be.  I checked the registry for any LocalService\Local Settings entries but nothing looked wrong.  Yet, something is telling Explorer to create those folders there.  I can delete them but they are re-created on every boot.  The snapshots show 2 views of this.  Anyone have any ideas?  Thanks.

[user57]

hmm trying to get a view
do you use a kernel extender ? some are partial functional and use the same folder 
what software you are using ?  if you turn off many of them and limit the software, would be something 
the OS in this case xp has background activity for the system - but first would be the software to be turned off
you know how to handle a file logger ? maybe microsoft´s filemon 
a lot of these files are not cookies - your search is for changes - activity also caused changes like stats, or that deskop.ini is not a cookie file

https://www.techbloat.com/what-is-desktop-ini-on-windows.html

[NotHereToPlayGames]

Copy the FOLDER NAME, delete the FOLDER, then create a *FILE* with the same exact NAME but *without* any file extension.

Windows will not allow a FOLDER and a FILE by the same exact NAME.

The presence of the FILE *prevents* the folder of the same name from being created.

ie, you will never have to delete the folder ever again because it cannot be created.

[justacruzr2]

Thanks.  I'll try your suggestions.  Still, I would like to find out what's causing this in the first place.  I did look at the Profile List in the registry for S-1-5-19 and did find one difference for the LocalService\ entry.  I have a 3rd drive with a fresh copy of XP Pro installed on it right from the install disk with absolutely no changes to it.  I use this as my base reference point when trying to figure out any problems.  The entry for LocalService (S-1-5-19) in that Profile List is a little different and when I export it and import it into this registry, it gets changed back to what it originally was.  So I'm not sure if that difference is the reason why this is happening.

[NotHereToPlayGames]

Is it IE5 or a different web browser?  Seems to me it's an IE setting telling it to use %TEMP%.