Solved: How do I delete or remove temp files in Windows?

Problem Symptom

Temp is short for temporary. %Temp% is a symbolic link for the Temp folder that Windows uses. Temp files in Windows contain temporarily stored data created by different programs and applications while running, to improve its working and make it process faster.

Follow the below solution steps to remove temp files from your Windows PC .

Content Summary

Where are temp files located in Windows?
How to check the temp files location in Windows?
Can I delete or remove the temp files from Windows?
Why should I delete temp files from Windows?
Method 1: Remove Windows temp files manually
Method 2: Remove Windows temp files using Windows Settings app
Method 3: Delete Windows temp files using Storage sense feature
Method 4: Delete Windows temp files using Disk Cleanup feature
Method 5: Delete Windows temp files using Command Prompt
Method 6: Delete Windows temp files using third party application software

Where are temp files located in Windows?

Temporary files are mostly stored on the Windows system drive (C:) or where the application has been installed. Temp files are located in the Windows Drive > AppData > Local folder >Temp folder where these files would be stored with a .tmp extension. There are many other temporary folders such as the ones uses for installing Windows updates which is located at Windows > Installer.

How to check the temp files location in Windows?

Open any partition using the File Explorer to look for the file with tmp extension to check their exact file location.

Can I delete or remove the temp files from Windows?

%Temp% is strictly one time dump use, and can be deleted over and over again. It is completely safe to remove or delete temp files from Windows. As if they are still in use by the Windows then it will display These particular files are in use notification while you try to delete it.

Why should I delete temp files from Windows?

Temp files take up a lot of disk space and will eventually slow down Windows’ performance. If you are experiencing your PC is slowing down then it is the best time to delete temp files.

Method 1: Remove Windows temp files manually

Go to the location where the temp files are stored and remove them manually.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key together to open the Run box.

Step 2: Type %temp% in the Run box and press the Enter key.

Step 3: Press the Ctrl + A key together to select all

Step 4: Press the Shift + Del key to remove all the selected temp files.

The Folder Access Denied notification may prompt to ask for administrator permission to delete the files or folders, check the Do this for all current items and click on the Continue button.

Some files or folders cannot be deleted as they are currently in used by some other background program, check the Do this for all current items and click on the Skip button.

Step 5: Open the Run box again and type prefetch in the Run box and press the Enter key.

Step 6: Press the Ctrl + A key together to select all

Step 7: Press the Shift + Del key to remove all the selected temp files.

Step 8: Open the File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\temp

Step 9: Press the Ctrl + A key together to select all

Step 10: Press the Shift + Del key to remove all the selected temp files.

Method 2: Remove Windows temp files using Windows Settings app

To remove temp files from Windows 10 on version 1903, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Go to the Start menu > Windows Settings app.

Step 2: Click on the Storage settings at the sidebar.

Step 3: Click on the Temporary files category.

Step 4: Select the type of data you like to delete or select all, then click on the Remove files button.

If you are using an older version of Windows, then you need to click the Free up space link under Storage settings.

Method 3: Delete Windows temp files using Storage sense feature

Step 1: Go to the Start menu > Windows Settings app.

Step 2: Click on the Storage settings at the sidebar.

Step 3: Toggle on the Storage sense option to automatically delete temp files from dormant apps in 30 days.

Step 4: Click the Configure Storage Sense or run it now or Change how we free up space link to customize the settings.

Read more: How do I remove temp (temporary) files in Windows 11 using Storage Sense

Method 4: Delete Windows temp files using Disk Cleanup feature

Step 1: Open the Windows Explorer and go to My Computer or This PC section.

Step 2: Select the drive where temp files are stored (mostly C: drive).

Step 3: Right-click on the disk icon and select the Properties option from the context menu.

Step 4: Switch to the General tab.

Step 5: Click on the Disk Cleanup button to open a dedicated Disk Cleanup window on the system.

Step 6: Select the temp files option and click on the OK button to delete all the saved temporary data from the drive.

Note: If you like to free up more disk space, click on the Clean up system files button, tick the categories you want to remove, and then click on the OK button > Delete Files.

Reference: Windows Support > Disk cleanup in Windows

Method 5: Delete Windows temp files using Command Prompt

For Windows users, Execute the following command prompt as the adiministrator to delete the temp files: del /q/f/s %TEMP%\* or rd %temp% /s /q

Method 6: Delete Windows temp files using third party application software

You can delete Windows temp files using third party application softwares such as Glary Utilities, CCleaner, or iObit.