Local Temp Folder Keeps Filling Up? Safely Clean Up Them on Windows 11 and 10!

When the local temp folder keeps filling up, you can safely clean up them with our guide. There are different ways to help you clean all temp folders and files in Windows 10 and 11.

Irene

By Irene / Updated on June 16, 2025

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Is it safe to delete local temp folder in Windows 11 and 10?

The Local Temp folder is a place on your computer where Windows and programs store temporary files. These files are created while you install software, open documents, browse the internet, or run other tasks. They can include things like cached data, setup files, temporary backups, or parts of files you're working on. In Windows 10 and 11, the Temp folder is mainly found in two locations:

🔶C:\Windows\Temp
🔶C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Temp

However, if the Local Temp folder keeps filling up, you might start to wonder whether it's safe to delete it in Windows 10 and 11. Yes, it's safe to delete files in the Local Temp folder on both Windows 10 and 11. These files are meant to be temporary and are usually created during software installations, updates, or when programs run. Over time, they can build up and take up a lot of space, especially on your C drive.

Before deleting, make sure to close all open programs. Some files might still be in use, and you may see "file in use" errors. You can skip those—Windows will let you delete them later after a restart. Deleting Temp files won’t harm your system, but you might lose unsaved data like auto-saved drafts or recent histories in certain apps, or issue like Error writing temporary file Make sure your temp folder is valid. If you're not using those features, this won’t be an issue.

How to delete local temp folder in Windows 11 and 10?

How to clear temp files and folders? Here are 4 helpful methods you can try to remove temporary files and folders. If you’d like to free up more space and improve your system’s performance in the long run, upgrading to a larger and newer drive is also a great option. It can provide ample storage and help your computer run more smoothly.

Fix 1. Use a professional PC cleaning tool

A simple way to remove temporary files in Windows 10 is by using a trusted cleanup tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant. This all-in-one disk management software offers helpful features to clear out clutter from your system. Its built-in “PC Cleaner” can scan for junk files such as those in the Recycle Bin, temporary folders, and log files. Once the scan is done, it shows you where these files are stored. You can then remove everything in one click using the “Clean All” option.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is easy to use thanks to its clear and user-friendly design. It not only helps clean up the C drive but also offers more advanced tools in the professional version—like removing large or duplicate files and moving apps or folders to other drives. It works well on most versions of Windows, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Step 1. Click "Free up" and "PC Cleaner" at the top menu.

PC Cleaner

Step 2. Then, click "Start Scan" in the new pop-up window.

Start Scan

Step 3. After that, you can see temp files under System Junk Files. Tick it and click “Clean All” to delete it.

After scanning

Step 4. When you see a correct symbol displayed in the interface, you can click "Back" to leave the function.

Cleanup finished

Fix 2. Delete temp folders and files manually

If you prefer the manual method to clean all temp folders and files, you can do it by following these steps:

Step 1. Press “Windows + R”, type in “%temp%” and hit Enter.

Step 2. Here, you can select the temp files and delete them.

Temp Files

Fix 3. Run Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows tool that helps remove temporary files from a selected drive. However, you may sometimes encounter Windows Disk Cleanup stuck. You can click to get the solution.

Step 1. Type "Disk Cleanup" in the search bar and press "Enter".

Step 2. Select the target drive and click“OK”.

Step 3. Then, tick the Temporary files and click "OK" to delete it.

Delete Temp Files

Fix 4. Run Storage to clean temp folders and files

Users on Windows 10 and 11 can clear temp files and folders using the built-in Storage feature.

Step 1. Open start bar and turn to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage".

Step 2. Click “Temporary files”.

Delete Temp

Step 3. All temp files will be sorted, you can click“Remove files”to delete these temp files.

Delete Temp

Bouns tip: Accidentally deleted temp files? Here's what to do

When fixing the issue of the Local Temp folder filling up, you might lose unsaved data, such as auto-recovery drafts or temporary session data from certain applications. If you accidentally delete something important during the cleaning process and need to recover it, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a "Recover Data" feature. This tool can help in many situations, such as after formatting a drive, accidentally deleting files, or emptying the Recycle Bin. It also works well for recovering data lost due to viruses, system crashes, or problems with external hard drives. If you've already formatted your drive because it kept disconnecting in Windows 11, it's worth trying this reliable recovery tool.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click on "Recover" from the top menu, then select "Recover Data".

recover-data

Step 2. Choose the USB drive that contains the lost files and click "Start Scan".

recover-windows-data

Step 3. After the scanning process is complete, a list of all deleted files will be displayed. Tick the checkboxes next to the lost files you want to recover, then click "Recover".

select-recover-data

Step 4. Select a destination path to save the recovered files.

select-saved-path

Step 5. Once the recovery process is finished, navigate to the chosen path to locate and access your recovered files.

restore-successfully

Conclusion

Deleting the Local Temp folder in Windows 10 and 11 is generally safe and can help free up disk space. These files are temporary by nature and are often no longer needed. Just remember to close any running programs before cleaning to avoid errors or losing unsaved data. Whether you choose to use built-in tools like Disk Cleanup or Storage, or go with a professional solution like AOMEI Partition Assistant, regular cleanup can keep your system running smoothly. And if you ever delete something important by mistake, data recovery tools are available to help you get it back.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Irene
Irene · Staff Editor
Irene is an Editor of AOMEI Technology. She devotes herself in giving insightful thoughts on common computer problems with simple and clear guidance. Irene loves to help people solve problems and explore more solutions on relevant issues. She loves reading, singing and travelling.