Windows 10 creates all sorts of temporary files as you use your computer. These could be anything from cached system and application dataerror reportsupdate filesto browsing data. Not only do temporary files help speed things upbut some of them also play a role when troubleshooting system-related issues.
Howevermost temporary file types linger around for a long time and can end up eating a hefty chunk of storage. If you’re always running out of free spaceyou must take it upon yourself to delete these files regularly.
You can delete temporary files on your Windows 10 computer using the Settings appthe Disk Cleanup toolor File Explorer. Additionallyyou can utilize a built-in functionality called Storage Sense to automate the procedure.
Use Settings App to Delete Temporary Files
The Windows 10 Settings app’s Storage Management screen allows you to view and delete most temporary file types on your computer. If disk space starts to run lowa quick visit to this screen should help you free up some storage quickly.
1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Select System.
3. Switch to the Storage side-tab.
4. Select Temporary files. Wait for a moment until the Settings app finishes loading a list of temporary file types on your computer.
5. Check the boxes next to each temporary file type that you want to remove. You can see the amount of potential space savings listed next to each of them. You must read the description of each file type so that you don’t end up deleting anything important.
For instanceWindows 10 lists your Downloads folder as a temporary location. If you have any important files in itit’s best to leave the box next to it unchecked.
Additionallykeep Previous version of Windows unchecked if you want to have the option to fall back to the previous version of Windows 10 intact. You’ll only see it if you upgraded Windows 10 within the last ten dayshowever.
Note: The Temporary Internet Files listing includes browsing data related to Microsoft Edge. You must clear browser caches in third-party web browsers separately.
6. Select the Remove Files button to the top of the screen. Windows 10 should start deleting the file types that you selected immediately.
Use Disk Cleanup Tool to Delete Temporary Files
Aside from the Settings app’s Storage Management screenWindows 10 also comes with a Disk Cleanup tool. It looks somewhat dated. Butit usually lists temporary file types that you may not find listed within the Settings app.
1. Press Windows+R to open the Run box.
2. Type cleanmgr.exe and select OK.
3. The default view in Disk Cleanup lists all forms of temporary file types (except for Downloads) that you’ll typically find in the Settings app. To reveal additional file typesselect the Clean up system files button.
4. After Disk Cleanup updates itselfcheck the boxes next to each temporary file type you want to delete.
You can see a description whenever you select a specific type of data. Read it to ensure that you aren’t deleting anything important.
For instanceDevice driver packages contains data needed to roll back hardware drivers—only select it if you don’t have any computer issues.
5. Select OKand then select Delete Files to remove the selected files.
Additionallyyou can run an extended version of Disk Cleanup (which reveals even more forms of temporary file types). To get to itopen the Command Prompt console (press Windows+S and search for command prompt) and run the following command:
cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535
The extended Disk Cleanup tool contains file types such as old program setup files and Chkdsk files (corrupted data fragments from the Check Disk utility) that you can delete to free up extra disk space.
Use File Explorer to Delete Temporary Files
The Settings app and the Disk Cleanup Tool usually don’t delete all temporary files used by the operating system and the apps that run on it. If you want to be thoroughyou can visit the two main locations that contain these files and delete them directly. Howeverthese folders do fill up again quicklyso go ahead if you want to free up some extra storage for the time being only.
1. Save your work and exit all open applications.
2. Press Windows+R to open the Run box.
3. Type %temp% into it and select OK.
4. Press Ctrl+A to select all files within the directory. Thenright-click and choose Delete.
Note: If the operating system notifies that it can’t delete certain filesselect Skip.
5. Open the Run box again. Thentype temp and select OK.
6. Delete all files and folders within the directory. Againskip any files that you can’t remove.
7. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
Use Storage Sense to Delete Temporary Files
You can configure Windows 10 to clear temporary files automatically by activating Storage Sense. Rather than merely turning it onyou must also configure how the functionality works automatically on your computer.
1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Select System.
3. Switch to the Storage side-tab.
4. Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
5. Turn on the switch under Storage Sense and select how often you want it to run. You can stick to the default During low free disk space setting or change that to Every dayEvery weekor Every month.
6. Scroll down the screen and specify how often Storage Sense should clean the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder. If you don’t want it to delete any file downloadsmake sure to select Never.
If you use a cloud storage service with Files On-Demand capabilities (such as OneDrive or iCloud Drive)you can also specify how often Storage Sense should clear any locally cached files.
Storage Sense will automatically delete temporary files on your Windows 10 computerdepending on how you’ve set it up. You can also run it whenever you want by selecting the Clean now option located within the same screen.
Storage Not a Concern? You Should Still Delete Temporary Files
Even if you don’t have any issues storage-wiseit’s still a good idea to delete temporary files in Windows 10 once every while. That should prevent outdated files from causing any problems further down the road. Howeveryou don’t have to go overboard with the whole thing; just set up Storage Sense to go on a cleaning spree once every monthand you should be good.
