How do I get rid of temporary files? This guide provides clear and step-by-step solutions for safely deleting them on Windows.
Temporary files, often called “temp files,” are created by your operating system or applications while performing tasks. For example, when you're working on a document, the program might create temp files to save your progress. During software installations, the setup files are usually extracted into a temporary folder. Common types of temporary files include:
👉 Setup files from software installations
👉 Cached data from applications
👉 Log files and error reports
In most cases, these files are deleted automatically after use. However, many of them remain on your system. While a few small temp files won’t cause issues, they can accumulate over time and lead to several problems. Here’s why it’s important to get rid of temporary files regularly:
✅ Free up storage space: Temp files take up valuable disk space, especially on smaller drives.
✅ Improve performance: Less clutter means your system can access files and run programs faster.
✅ Avoid system slowdowns: Removing temp files reduces the load on your disk and system memory.
✅ Prevent software issues: Too many leftover files may cause crashes or installation problems.
There are several ways to get rid of temporary files in Windows. Below are four safe and effective methods that anyone can follow.
One of the easiest ways to get rid of temporary files in Windows 10 is by using a reliable disk cleanup tool. We recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup. This professional disk cleaning tool includes a series of features to clean up your drive. With just a few clicks, you can quickly get rid of unnecessary items, including temporary files.
Free Up Disk Space To Keep Your PC Running Smoothly and Efficiently
Here's how to use AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup to get rid of temporary files:
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup. Click the "Clean Junk Files" tab.
Step 2. Click the "Scan Now" button to start the process of scanning junk files.
Step 3. After the scan process is finished. All system junk files (including recycle bin files, temporary files, log files, invalid shortcuts, and so on) and registry junk files (including DLL registry, system registry, and program registry) will be displayed.
You can also click the button behind to view the junk files details.
Step 4. And, you can click the button behind to locate the file.
By default, the program will select some junk files to clean up, for example, temporary files, log files, and so on. You can also manually check to select more or uncheck to deselect fewer listed junk files. Or, click "Select All" to select all junk files to clean up if you need to clean up all.
Step 5. After selecting junk files that are not needed anymore, you can click the "Clean Now"button to start the cleanup.
The process of the cleanup might take time, and the selected files will be cleaned up. After the process is finished, you will get a cleanup completed window displaying how many files you have cleaned and not yet cleaned.
Windows provides the Disk Cleanup utility for this task. You can run it to remove temporary files in Windows 10 and older versions without needing to install third-party software. Here's how to get rid of temporary files on Windows 10:
Step 1: Type Disk Cleanup in the search bar and press Enter.
Step 2: Select the target drive and click OK.
Step 3: Then, select the Temporary files and click OK to get rid of them.
If you're using Windows 10 or 11, Storage Sense is another built-in tool that can delete temporary files and other unnecessary data. You can set it to run automatically or use it for a one-time cleanup. Follow these steps to get rid of temp files using this tool:
Step 1: Click Start and go to Settings > System > Storage.
Step 2: Click Temporary files to see all unnecessary files.
Step 3: Select the files you don't need anymore and click Remove files to get rid of them.
Step 4: If you want to enable this tool to automatically free up space, turn it on and configure it as you like.
If you prefer more control over what you delete, manually clearing the Temp folder is a great option. Temporary files are typically stored in locations like C:\Windows\Temp or %TEMP%. These files can accumulate over time and take up valuable space. Follow these steps to get rid of them manually:
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type %temp% and press Enter.
Step 3: A folder will open. Select all the files inside, then right-click and choose Delete.
How do I get rid of temporary files effectively? This guide outlines four reliable methods to remove these files. Whether you prefer using built-in Windows tools or a more advanced cleaner like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup, regularly deleting temp files can help free up space and improve your PC’s performance. Start cleaning today and enjoy a faster, more efficient computer!
Q1: Is it safe to get rid of temporary files?
Yes, it is generally safe to get rid of temporary files. However, make sure to close open applications before deleting to avoid file-in-use errors.
Q2: How often should I delete temporary files?
It's a good idea to delete temporary files once every few weeks or whenever your PC feels slow.
Q3: What's the difference between temporary files and temporary internet files?
Both can be safely deleted. You can delete temporary internet files by clearing your browser’s cache through its settings menu, typically found under Privacy or History options.
