[Solved]: How to Clean Up the AppData Folder?

What is the AppData folder?

The AppData (Application Data) folder is a hidden directory located inside each user profile in Windows. It contains configuration settings, temporary files, cached data, and other files created by programs installed on your computer. The folder is divided into three subfolders:

• Local: Stores data specific to a single computer, such as large files and cache.
• LocalLow: Contains data with low-level access, usually for Internet Explorer or other security-restricted applications.
• Roaming: Holds user-specific data that can move with your account if you’re part of a network (e.g., saved settings for Chrome or Outlook).

While many files in this folder are essential for programs to run properly, there are also many outdated cache files and leftovers from uninstalled apps that take up valuable disk space. Over time, this can lead to low disk space and even affect system performance. Therefore, it is essential to regularly clean up the AppData folder.

Is It Safe to Clean Up the AppData Folder?

Yes, it is generally safe to clean up certain parts of the AppData folder, but caution is needed. The AppData folder stores essential settings, user data, and temporary files for many installed programs. Deleting the wrong files can cause apps to malfunction or lose user preferences. However, it is safe to remove files like:

• leftover files from uninstalled applications
• outdated cache
• temporary data that is no longer in use

To minimize risk, it's recommended to back up important files before cleaning, in case of unexpected data loss.

How to Clean Up the AppData Folder on Windows 10?

Let’s go through three safe and practical methods to clean up the AppData folder. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or another version, these methods work for most systems.

Method 1. Use the Storage in Settings

Windows 10 includes a built-in Storage feature that lets you see what’s taking up space on your drive, including app data. This method is great for beginners and helps identify large or unnecessary files without digging into folders manually. Follow these steps to clean up the AppData folder using this method:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to System > Storage.

Step 3. Select the categories you want to delete (e.g., Temporary files) and click Remove files.

Method 2. Use the Disk Cleanup Tool

The Disk Cleanup tool is another built-in Windows utility that can help clean up the AppData folder, especially temporary files created by programs. It’s a simple and effective way to free up disk space without risking important program files.

Step 1. Type cleanup in the Windows Search bar and open Disk Cleanup.

Step 2. Ensure drive C: is selected and click OK.

Step 3. In the list, check Temporary files and other unnecessary items.

Step 4. Click OK to start the cleanup process.

Method 3. Manually Remove Unused Files

If you prefer full control over what gets deleted, you can manually navigate to the AppData folder and remove files you no longer need. This approach is best suited for advanced users who are familiar with the Windows file structure. Be careful not to delete essential configuration files, which may cause unexpected errors. Here’s how to manually clean up the AppData folder:

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp and press Enter. This takes you directly to the Temp folder inside AppData.

Step 3. Press Ctrl + A to select all files and folders.

Step 4. Right-click and choose Delete, or simply press the Delete key. If you want to permanently remove them without sending them to the Recycle Bin, hold Shift while pressing Delete, then confirm the prompt.

Step 5. Finally, don’t forget to empty your Recycle Bin to fully reclaim disk space.

Bonus Tip: How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Data

While cleaning up the AppData folder, you might mistakenly delete important files like saved preferences, login info, or app data. If you notice certain programs malfunctioning afterward, it’s likely that critical files were removed. But don’t worry; you can recover lost or deleted files using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. This powerful tool supports the recovery of over 1,000 file types from a wide range of storage devices on Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 and Servers. Even if you've emptied the Recycle Bin, this software makes it easy to retrieve deleted files in just a few clicks.

Here’s how to recover deleted files using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes:

• Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
• Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device to find lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired files and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the recovered files and wait for the process to complete.

Summary

Cleaning up the AppData folder is an effective way to improve system performance and free up valuable disk space. This guide provides three practical methods to safely clean up the AppData folder on Windows 10. If you accidentally delete something important, consider using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery to retrieve it. In addition to recovering accidentally deleted files, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery also supports restoring files lost due to system crashes, disk formatting, and other complex data loss scenarios.