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How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows

 

How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows

Follow these simple steps to delete your temporary Windows files:

  1. Windows 10: Select the search box just to the right of the Start button on the taskbar.

    Windows 8.1: Right-click or tap-and-hold the Start button and then choose Run.

    Windows 8.0: The easiest way to access Run is from the Apps screen.

    In earlier versions of Windows, choose Start to bring up the search box or find Run.

    Another way to open the Run dialog box is to enter the WIN+R keyboard shortcut.

  2. In the Run window or search box, enter the following command exactly:

    %temp%

    This command, which is technically one of many environment variables in Windows, will open the folder that Windows has designated as your Temp folder, probably C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp.

  3. Select all the files and folders within the Temp folder that you want to delete. Unless you have a reason to otherwise, select them all.

    Highlighted files in the Windows 10 Temp folder

    If you're using a keyboard or mouse, click one item and then use Ctrl+A to select every item within the folder. If you're on a touch-only interface, choose Select all from the Home menu at the top of the folder.

    "You don't need to know what each temp file you're going to delete is for, or what or how many files are included in any subfolders you select. Windows won't let you delete any files or folders that are still in use. More on that in a bit."

  4. Delete all the temporary files and folders you've selected, either using the Delete key on your keyboard or the Delete button from the Home menu.

    Depending on your version of Windows, and how your computer is configured, you might be asked to confirm that you wish to Delete Multiple Items. You may even have to select Yes on a special Confirm Multiple File Delete window that appears. Handle any messages about hidden files in this folder the same way—it's fine to delete those, too.

  5. Choose Skip if you're presented with a File In Use or a Folder In Use warning during the temporary file deletion process.

    Screenshot showing the Skip button when deleting Temp files in Windows 10


    This is Windows telling you that the file or folder you're trying to delete is locked and still in use by a program, or maybe even Windows itself. Skipping these allows the deleting to continue with the remaining data.

    If you're getting a lot of these messages, check the Do this for all current items checkbox and then select Skip again. You'll have to do it once for the file messages and again for the folder ones, but warnings should stop after that.

    Rarely will you see a message like Error Deleting File or Folder that will stop the temp file deleting process completely. If this happens, restart your computer and try again. If even that doesn't work, try starting Windows in Safe Mode and repeating the steps above.

  6. Wait while all the temp files are deleted, which could take anywhere from a few seconds if you only have a few files in this folder, and up to several minutes if you have many and they're large.

    You won't be prompted when the process is complete. Instead, the progress indicator will just disappear, and you'll see your empty, or almost empty, temp folder up on the screen. Feel free to close this window.

    If you happen to be deleting so much data that not all of it can be sent to Recycle Bin, you'll be told that they'll be permanently removed.

  7. Finally, locate Recycle Bin on your Desktop, right-click or tap-and-hold the icon, and then choose Empty Recycle Bin.

    Screenshot highlighting Windows 10 Desktop and Empty the Recycle Bin right-click menu

    Can't find Recycle Bin? It might have been hidden. You can still open a hidden Recycle Bin in File Explorer.

  8. Select Yes on the prompt to confirm that you want to delete the items, which will permanently remove those temporary files from your computer. You now, in the short term, have an empty temporary files section.

The next time you delete temporary files in Windows, feel free to hold down Shift as you delete the files. It's a trick that will skip over storing them in Recycle Bin, essentially "permanently" deleting them and saving you this last step.


Check this link for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja3CyuT0gqE



 


For documentation purposes only.

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