How to Delete Windows Temporary Files Manually

One way to prevent your internal storage from becoming full is to, from time to time, choose to delete temporary Windows files. Programs like CC cleaner do this completely, but in this tutorial we teach you how to delete temporary files in four different ways.

What are Windows temporary files

Temporary files Windows are files created by the operating system and programs installed on the computer to store temporary data necessary to perform specific tasks. This data can be found in various parts of the operating system, such as the Temp folder in the Windows, or within the installation folders of specific programs.

Additionally, internet browsers, such as Google Chrome or the Mozilla Firefox, also create and store temporary files, such as page caches and cookies, to improve the loading speed of frequently visited web pages. These files are useful while they are in use, but they become unnecessary and consume space after tasks are completed.

Although they are useful for the efficient functioning of the system and programs, they often accumulate and take up a significant amount of hard drive space. This happens because temporary files are often not automatically deleted after completing the tasks they were created for.

Forms of exclusion

Among the easiest and most accessible options are using the Windows, the Run command, the Command Prompt, and the Disk Cleanup tool.

Each method offers an efficient way to identify and remove these files, helping to free up hard drive space and improve your computer's overall performance. By exploring these options, you can keep your system more organized and functional. Let's see how we can do this exclusion:

By settings

Delete temporary files from Windows through settings is a simple and effective process that can help free up space on your hard drive and improve your computer's performance. Here are the steps to accomplish this task:

Step 1: open the menu Start and click on “Settings” (gear icon).

Step 2: in the window Settings, select “System".

Step 3: then click “Storage” in the left menu.

Step 3: in "Storage“, click “Temporary files” to see a list of temporary file types that can be deleted.

Step 4: Select the types of temporary files you want to delete by checking the corresponding boxes and click “Remove files” to complete the deletion.

Using Run

Delete temporary files from Windows using the command Execute It is also a quick and direct method. Follow these simple steps to free up space on your hard drive:

Step 1: Press “Win ​​+ R” on your keyboard to open the Run command window.

Step 2: type “temp” and press “Enter”. This will open the folder containing temporary files.

Step 3: select all files and folders within the folder that opened. You can do this by pressing “Ctrl + A”.

Step 4: Press “Delete” on your keyboard or right-click and select “Delete” to remove all selected temporary files. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

Step 5: repeat the process, but this time type “%temp%” in the Run command window and press “Enter” to open another folder of temporary files.

Finally, select and delete all files in this folder as well, in the same way as mentioned above.

Using the Command Prompt

Using the Command Prompt is a slightly more technical option, but also quite effective. Follow these steps to clear temporary files from your system:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges. To do this, type “cmd” in the Start menu search bar, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.

Step 2: in the Command Prompt window, type the command del /q/f/s %temp%\* and press “Enter”. This command deletes all temporary files in your user's Temp folder.

Step 3: then type del /q/f/s C:\Windows\Temp\* and press “Enter” to delete the temporary files from the system Temp folder.

Step 4: Close the Command Prompt window after the deletion is complete. Restart your computer if necessary to ensure that all changes are applied correctly.

Using Disk Cleanup

Delete temporary files from Windows Using the Disk Cleanup tool is another easy-to-do alternative. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1: Open the Disk Cleanup tool. You can do this by typing “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu search bar and clicking on the application that appears in the results.

Step 2: If you have more than one internal storage on your PC, you will need to indicate where the cleaning should be done. Select the disk you want to clean (usually the C: disk) and click “OK” to start the analysis.

Step 3: After analysis, the tool will display a list of file types that can be deleted. Check the box next to “Temporary Files” and other items you want to remove.

Step 4: Click “Clean up system files” to allow the tool to delete temporary system files in addition to user temporary files. A second review of the internal storage will be carried out. Then click “OK” and confirm the deletion to complete the process.

Step 5: A second review of the internal storage will be done. Then click “OK”.

Finally, confirm the deletion to complete the process by clicking “Delete files”.

Did you like the tips for freeing up space on your PC? Share this tutorial with your friends and help them keep their computers faster and more efficient too. Keeping your system free of temporary files is a great way to improve performance and extend the life of your devices.

Is there any other tutorial you would like to learn? Tell us in the comments!

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Sources: Microsot, AVG e LifeWire.