While working on Windows 10 or any other OS version, it can generate temporary files in your system. These files are produced when users try to create a new file. So, the temporary folder retains all the corresponding information of this newly created file, unless the final work is saved. If you don’t delete these temp files, they will keep occupying space on your Windows 10. Hence, it is your responsibility to remove these temporary files from time to time. However, there are times when users may face problems while deleting these files from the temp folder. So, if you are experiencing this problem and want to understand how to delete temp files Windows 10, check out this article. Here, you will get to know a few simple hacks to erase temporary files from your system and create more storage space on Windows 10.
Info On How To Delete Temporary Files Windows 10 By Applying Quick Fixes
You must be aware that there are temporary files that may get deleted easily on Windows 10. However, often many users report certain issues while removing these temp files from their system. So, before you learn how to delete temporary files Windows 10, you must know the list of problems first. So, check the following info that can give you some idea regarding the errors that most of the users face during deleting the temp files.
List Of Issues You Can Face While Removing Temporary Files
When your Windows 10 based device gets flooded with countless temporary files, it becomes a mandatory task to delete them immediately. However, the following issues can occur whenever you try to remove temp files.
1. Windows Can’t Delete Temporary Internet Files
The temporary files in your system can include various types such as content from recycle bin, downloads, local, and temp folders. Also, there can be temporary internet files, which can’t be deleted on Windows 10 easily.
2. Disk Cleanup Unable To Remove Temporary Internet Files
Some users took benefit from the built-in Disk Cleanup tool in Windows 10 to remove temp files. However, there are certain files including temporary internet files, which you can’t delete even manually. Sometimes, you can’t remove these files using Disk Cleanup as well.
3. Temp Files On Windows 10 Can’t Be Deleted
The temp files can be stored in a single directory in Windows 10. So, many users have reported problems whenever they have tried to delete temporary files from this folder/directory. Sometimes, the normal mode may not even allow you to remove any temp files unless you try some technical fixes.
Solutions To Delete Temporary Files From Your Windows 10 Devices
If you are not tech-savvy and eager to learn how to delete temporary files Windows 10, check the following methods.
Method 1: Try To Remove Temp Files Manually
Before trying any other technical fixes, you must try to delete temporary files manually at first. So, first open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows logo and R keys simultaneously. As the box appears, write ‘temp’ and hit the ‘OK’ button. It will open the temp folder in the Windows Explorer containing various files in it.
To delete everything, you must hit ‘Ctrl+A’ keys simultaneously to select all the temporary files in the ‘Temp’ folder. Then click ‘Delete’ and open the Run dialog box again. Now, write ‘%temp’ in it and click on ‘OK’ button. It will display the local folder on Windows 10 containing temp files.
Repeat the same process to select all the files simultaneously and hit the ‘Delete’ button. Next, you have to remove temporary files from the ‘Prefetch’ folder also. So, type ‘prefetch’ in the Run dialog box and open the folder to delete temp files.
To make sure that the deleted temporary files don’t get stored on Windows 10 anymore, you can hit ‘Shift’ and ‘Del’ buttons simultaneously. This is necessary for those who are doubtful that the temporary files can remain in the recycle bin and occupy space on Windows 10 based devices.
Method 2: Utilize Built-In Disk Cleanup On Windows 10
Many times, Windows 10 users face extreme problems while removing temporary files from their systems. So, if you are also experiencing the same issue, try using the tool Disk Cleanup. This built-in application on Windows 10 can scan drives of your choice and displays the list of temporary files present in it. You can also estimate the amount of space that Disk Cleanup can free up after deleting the temp files.
To apply this method, you will have to hit ‘Windows+S’ and type ‘disk’ in the box. Windows 10 will suggest ‘Disk Cleanup’ as the best match, so click on it. Then select the appropriate system drive that you want to clean using this tool. In most of the devices, the temp files are stored on the C: drive. So, you can select System (C:) from the options and hit the ‘OK’ button.
After this step, you have to wait until Disk Cleanup scans the C: drive and displays the files to delete. So, on the window, you can select the temporary files that are no longer needed. As it shows the space occupied on Windows 10, you can choose which files to delete accordingly.
As you select the temp files and hit the ‘OK’ button, your system drive will remove them and create some more space.
Method 3: Delete Temporary Files Using Command Prompt
Another best way to erase temp files on Windows 10 is by using the Command Prompt. This method is for those users who don’t have much time to delete temporary files manually. So, press ‘Windows+X’ buttons at a time and select the option of Command Prompt (Admin). As the window opens, write the command ‘del /q/f/s %TEMP%’ and hit the ‘Enter’ key. In case you figure out some temp files in other folders on Windows 10, you can use Command Prompt to delete them as well.
Method 4: Erase Files From SoftwareDistribution Directory
According to some users, there is a SoftwareDistribution directory on Windows 10, which can prevent the deletion of any temporary files. So, in this method, you can follow the instructions to remove the content in the ‘SoftwareDistribution’ folder.
First, you have to ensure that Windows 10 is not downloading any current updates. Once you ensure it, open the Run dialog box and type ‘%WINDIR%SoftwareDistribution Download’ in it. Then simply click on ‘OK’ or hit the ‘Enter’ key.
It will then display the Download directory along with the folder of SoftwareDistribution’. So, make sure to remove all the files in the folder and try to delete temporary files on Windows 10.
Method 5: Windows 10 In Safe Mode To Delete Temp Files
Sometimes, you may not be able to remove temporary files by operating Windows 10 on normal mode. So, if this is the case, you can switch to Safe Mode and then try to delete these files.
To open Windows 10 in Safe Mode, click on the Windows power button. Then hold down the ‘Shift’ button and select ‘Restart’. Under the ‘Choose an option’ heading, locate the icon of Troubleshoot and click on it. Next, click on ‘Advanced options’ and choose ‘Startup Settings’.
Below this option, there is a ‘Restart’ button at the bottom right corner of the window. So, click on it and select F4, F5, or F6 keys to restart Windows 10 in Safe Mode. Now, hopefully, you can delete the temporary files after restarting Windows in Safe Mode.
Key 4 allows users to enable Safe Mode while restarting Windows. Whereas, key 5 is for opening Windows 10 in Safe Mode along with the Networking option. In case you want to restart Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, press Key 6.
Method 6: Use Storage Sense And Free Up Space
On Windows 10, you can use some of its built-in features that allow the users to remove temp files and free storage space. So, at first, click on the ‘Windows Settings’ and go to ‘System’ on the left panel. Below it, locate the option of ‘Storage’ and scroll the page on the right.
There, you will find the hyperlink of ‘Free up space now’, which you have to click. It will show you a list of items including temporary files, Recycle Bin, Windows Update cleanup, Windows upgrade log files, Temporary Internet Files and many more. So, click on the checkboxes that you want to delete and hit ‘Remove files’ button.
In case, you still find some temp files on Windows 10, click on the toggle switch below the ‘Storage sense’ on the same window. If you find this option ‘Off’, simply hit it and make it ‘On’. Once you enable the Storage sense, Windows 10 will remove the temporary files automatically.
This solution is applicable for users, who can’t delete temp files that are stored on their systems for more than 30 days.
Method 7: Uninstall Problematic Third-Party Apps
Many customers have noticed that a few third-party applications can cause interference with temporary files on Windows 10. So, it can prevent you to delete these files at certain times. Hence, make a list of any such installed programs on Windows 10, whose temp files can’t be deleted with any of the above methods.
Then go to the Windows Settings and click on ‘Apps’ to view the list of applications installed on Windows 10. Simply select the programs and hit the ‘Uninstall’ button beside them. Hopefully, now you can remove temp files without any interference from third-party apps.
In case none of the above methods work and you wonder how to delete temporary files Windows 10, try to apply the recent updates on your PC. Otherwise, you can consult with the experts to remove temp files on Windows 10.
