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User-Friendly Guide On How To Delete Temp Files Windows 10

If your computer suddenly freezes or a program suddenly stops working, then it can lead to data loss. Therefore, temp folder stores the temporary files, also referred to as temp files, for recovering these lost data. When there is insufficient space in the Operating System, you may require to delete the temp files. It, thereby, increases the disk space on your PC. Moreover, if you do not delete these files, then they may deteriorate the performance of your system or lead to several performance-related issues. So, it’s better to delete temp files Windows 10 periodically to avoid the unwanted consequences.

How To Delete Temp Files Windows 10?

We have discussed three widely used ways to delete the temp files on Windows 10.

Delete Temporary Files By Using Settings

  1. Click on the ‘Start’ button and then open Settings.
  2. Select ‘System’ on the home page of ‘Settings.’
  3. Then, click on ‘Storage’ and select the drive where you have installed Windows 10.
  4. Now, the ‘Storage’ page pops up displaying the disk space used by the temp files and other applications installed on your PC.
  5. Choose ‘Temporary files’ to open the ‘Temporary Files’ page.
  6. After that, check the box next to ‘Temporary files.’
  7. Then, click on the ‘Remove files’ button located at the end of the page.
  8. Click ‘Yes’ in the confirmation box to ensure that you want to delete the temporary files.
  9. Restart your PC and go to ‘Settings’ once more to check that the temporary files are no longer present on your PC.

Delete Temporary Files Manually

It is the traditional way of removing the temp files quickly. You can use this method if you do not have to delete too many temp files on your PC. Now, follow the procedures given below to carry on this activity.

  1. Press Windows logo and ‘R’ keys at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type ‘%temp%’ in the Run box and press ‘Enter.’
  3. Now, you can see the Temp folder containing the temporary files.
  4. Highlight all files and folders and select ‘Delete.’
  5. Hit the ‘OK’ button when a confirmation box appears to finish this process.

Note that you may want to delete the temp files to restore the working of a program installed on your PC. Instead of deleting them permanently, you can transfer the temporary files to the Recycle Bin. If you find that the program is still not working properly even after the removal of these files, then you have an option to get them back. Only you need to open the Recycle Bin, select the files and bring them back to the required folder.

Delete The Temporary Files By Using Cortana

  1. Open the Cortana search box and type the command ‘%temp%’ and press ‘Enter.’
  2. Select those files which you want to delete from the temp folder and hit the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard.
  3. Click ‘Yes’ in the ‘Confirm Multiple File Delete’ window.
  4. If Windows 10 does not allow you to delete any file, then it means that the file is already in use.  
  5. Windows, therefore, presents you with a ‘Folder In Use’ or ‘File In Use’ warning.
  6. In that case, click the ‘Skip’ button and try deleting the files later on.
  7. Wait for a few minutes until Windows 10 removes the temp files completely from your PC.
  8. When the deletion is over, the progress indication of this process disappears. Then, you can close the window and restart your PC.
  9. If you have any temp files in the Recycle Bin, then access the Recycle Bin on your PC.
  10. Double-click on it and choose ‘Empty Recycle Bin.’
  11. Finally, click ‘Yes’ to confirm the permanent deletion of the temp files.

Hopefully, after following the easy solutions mentioned in this article, you will be able to delete temp files on Windows 10 without any hassle.