What Are Windows Temporary File Folders and Their Functions?

Is Windows Temporary File Folders Safe to Delete?

Deleting temporary files in Windows can help improve system performance, free up storage space, and avoid errors caused by corrupted files. However, not all temporary files can be deleted carelessly. Some files can be deleted without any problems, while others need to be taken care of before being deleted as they can affect the stability of the system.

Files That Can Be Safely Deleted

Here are some types of temporary files that are safe to delete without the risk of damaging the system:

1. Windows Update Temporary Files
2. Temporary Internet Files
3. Error Reporting Files
4. Cache from Third-Party Apps

Files to Look Out for Before Deleting

Some temporary files have important functions and should not be deleted carelessly without understanding their impact:

1. Temporary System Files

• Temporary files that are used by Windows when running various system processes.
• Some of them are still actively used by the system, so deleting them can cause errors or slow down system performance.
• We recommend that you only remove them through built-in Windows features, such as Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense.

2. Prefetch Files

• Prefetch is a cache file created by Windows to speed up the loading time of frequently used applications.
• Deleting this file is not harmful, but it can cause the app to load a little longer when it is first run after deletion.

How to Safely Delete Windows Temporary File Folders

Regularly deleting temporary files can improve system performance and save storage space. There are several ways to safely clean Windows Temporary File Folders, either using Windows’ built-in features or deleting them manually.

A. Using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a tool present in Windows that allows users to safely delete temporary files without damaging the system.

Steps:

1. Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup, then open the app.
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:) and click OK.
3. Wait for the scan to complete, then check the Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, and other temporary files you want to delete.
4. Click OK, then select Delete Files to delete it permanently.

B. Manually Deleting Files

For those who want to clean Windows Temporary File Folders manually, this method can be done by accessing the temporary file storage location directly.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and then press Enter to open the user’s Temporary Files folder.
2. Select all files by pressing Ctrl +  A, then pressing Delete.
3. Press Win + R again, type C:WindowsTemp, and then press Enter to open the Temporary Files system.
4. Select all the files, then press Delete (some files may not be deleted because they are still in use by the system).

C. Using Storage Sense

Storage Sense is a built-in feature in Windows 10 and 11 that can automatically clean temporary files.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Win +  I) > System > Storage.
2. Search for and enable the Storage Sense feature.
3. Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now, and then set Windows to automatically delete temporary files within a certain period.
4. If you want to clean the file right away, click Clean now.

Deleting temporary files regularly is highly recommended to keep Windows performance optimal. If you want a quick and safe way, use Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense. If you need more control, you can use the manual method, but you should be careful not to delete important system files.