Removing temporary files on Windows 10 might seem straightforward, but sometimes it’s a bit more convoluted than expected. You might clear out some junk, only to find disks still cluttered or performance issues lingering. It’s not unusual to get stuck on a step or wonder if something’s gone wrong. The good news is, there are a few tricks and tools that can help you tidy up more thoroughly—and honestly, doing it regularly can really keep your system running smoother. After all, no one likes a bloated PC that drags or runs out of space unexpectedly.
How to Remove Temporary Files on Windows 10
Method 1: Use Storage Settings — The basic clean-up
Most folks know about the built-in Storage feature, and it’s a decent start. It’s pretty much an in-your-face way to pick out what to delete, and you don’t have to mess with command lines or third-party tools. It applies whenever your system’s getting sluggish or you just want some quick space. Expect this to give your drive a light refresh and help performance a little.
- Head over to Settings — click the Windows icon on the bottom left, then choose Settings.
- Navigate to System, then click on Storage.
- On the Storage page, scroll down to Temporary Files. If it’s missing or not refreshing, try clicking Show more categories or refresh your Explorer window to make sure everything’s up to date.
- Click on Temporary Files. You will see lots of options, like “Temporary Internet Files, ” “System created Windows Error Reporting Files, ” or “Recycle Bin” if you haven’t emptied that recently.
- Select what you want gone—mostly safe to check “Temporary Files” and “Thumbnails” if you’re unsure—and then hit Remove Files.
One weird thing — sometimes the list doesn’t update immediately, or it’s missing certain categories. So if that happens, re-logging into your account or rebooting might help make it refresh.
Method 2: Run Disk Cleanup for a more thorough job
This old-school tool still beats many third-party cleaners for a quick, safer cleanup. The cool part? It also lets you remove system files, like Windows Update leftovers, that aren’t always tackled just from Settings.
- Type Disk Cleanup into the Windows search bar and open the app.
- Select your main drive (usually C:) and click OK.
- In the Disk Cleanup window, check off what you want to delete—like “Temporary Files, ” “Recycle Bin, ” “Delivery Optimization Files.”
- Click Clean up system files if you want to remove even more, then select the drive again and hit OK.
This method is good if you’ve got stubborn cache or update files chewing up space, and it often needs admin permissions to remove system-wide junk. Sometimes, it takes a bit longer, but on most setups, it does a better job than just Settings alone.
Method 3: Command Line for tech-savvy cleanup
For those who like to tinker, running some commands can clear out temp folders directly and quickly. The catch? It’s easy to mess things up if you’re not careful. And it might not catch everything—Windows is weird about where some temporary files hide.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator (type cmd in the search bar, right-click, then select Run as administrator).
- To delete temp files, run:
del /q /f /s %TEMP%\* & del /q /f /s C:\Windows\Temp\*This deletes files from your user temp folder and the Windows system temp directory.Note: Some files might be in use and won’t delete, which is normal. If you get permissions errors, double-check your admin rights and that no background process is locking the files.
This is more aggressive, so don’t be surprised if some files stick around or you get permission errors. It’s fast, but not exactly as safe as other methods.
Tips for Making It Stick — Keep the Clutter at Bay
- Regularly run these cleaners—once a month or so, maybe more if you’re heavy on downloads or updates.
- Set up Storage Sense—found in Settings > System > Storage. Enable automatic cleaning of temp files, downloads, and Recycle Bin items.
- Watch out for leftover files from Windows updates or large caches—sometimes they’re hidden in other system folders, and third-party tools like Winhance might help, but use with caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are temp files anyway?
They’re just bits of data Windows or apps create to hold stuff temporarily. Usually, they’re safe to delete—unless some program is working on something that’s stored there, which can cause issues if you remove them unexpectedly.
Can deleting temp files break anything?
Most of the time, no. But if you’re deleting files that are still open or in use, Windows will just skip over them. Still, it’s better to close apps before cleaning up.
How often should I do this?
Best to do a quick cleanup once a month, especially if you notice disk space shrinking fast or performance issues. Otherwise, a good clean now and then doesn’t hurt.
What about automatic cleanup?
Windows 10 has Storage Sense, which can be set to clear temp files automatically. Just turn it on in Settings > System > Storage, and configure how often it runs.
Anything else I can delete?
Yes, you might want to clean out your Recycle Bin, Downloads folder (if it’s cluttered), or even perform “Windows Update Cleanup” in Disk Cleanup to recover more space.
Summary
- Use Storage Settings to find and delete temporary files
- Run Disk Cleanup for more extensive cleanup
- Consider command line tools for quick, manual deletions
- Enable Storage Sense for automatic maintenance
Wrap-up
Clearing out temp files isn’t rocket science, but it’s one of those small upkeep tasks that can make a noticeable difference. It’s kind of weird how Windows keeps piling up these files, but with a bit of effort, your system can stay lean and mean. Don’t forget to revisit these steps every now and then—your disk space and system responsiveness will thank you. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid the dreaded “my PC’s slow” blues again.