This article explains when, where, and how Microsoft Word for Windows creates temporary files. The program determines where and when to create temporary files.
Temporary files are available only for the current session of the program.
Word sometimes copies portions of a file into memory so that it can access the information more quickly when you copy and paste or scroll through a document. Word references the location of the information instead of actually accessing the information, which reduces the time Word spends performing these functions. In Word 6.x, 7.x Word creates a variety of temporary files. The difference between this file and a traditional MS-DOS file is that multiple programs can read and write to these files without the original owner knowing about it. Additionally, document files have inherent properties that allow Word to create files and directories within files.