If you have developed a habit of downloading apps and media files from the web, you might end up with too many temporary files on your computer. Over time, you continue to feel your Windows 11 PC slowing down in day-to-day tasks. Here are the top five ways to delete temporary files in Windows 11.
What Are Temp Files in Windows 11?
In some ways, temp files are useful for certain apps. Similarly, how app cache works on Android, Windows too stores temp files to make your frequent tasks faster. They include system cache, logs, and other files for the smooth functioning of your system.
After some time, your computer may end up with large numbers of such files. If you are not careful, you can end up with a random third-party app consuming GBs of data on your computer. Before you end up with a buggy PC, follow the tricks below and remove temporary files in Windows 11.
1. Use Windows Settings App
Windows offers a built-in tool to manage storage on the PC. Using that, you can easily remove temporary files.
Step 1: Use Windows + I keys and open the Windows Settings menu.
Step 2: Go to System and select Storage.
Step 3: Let Windows find temporary files and take a peek at the storage amount it’s taking.
Step 4: Select Remove files from the following menu.
The process will remove temporary internet files, thumbnails, delivery optimization files, log files, and more.
2. Use Disk Cleanup Tool
If you want to delete temporary files from a specific drive, you have an option to use the Disk Cleanup tool on Windows 11. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Press Windows + R keys and open the Windows Run menu.
Step 2: Type cleanmgr and hit OK.
Step 3: It will ask you to select drive on PC.
Step 4: Select drive and hit the OK button to open the Disk Cleanup tool.
Step 5: Take a look at the type of files and the storage space it’s taking on the PC. Select them.
Step 6: Click on Clean up system files and hit OK at the bottom.
3. Use File Explorer
If for some reason you want to remove temporary files manually from your PC, you can easily do so from the File Explorer app. These files are hidden, and you need to use the Run command to access them.
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and open the Run menu.
Step 2: Type %temp% and hit OK.
Step 3: It will open the Temp folder in the File Explorer app.
Step 4: Select all files (use Ctrl + A keys) and delete all files.
During the process, you might see some errors like Windows being unable to remove some files. You can skip those files and continue with the process.
4. Use Command Prompt
This is one of the efficient ways to delete temporary files in Windows 11. Run the command below and make changes to your PC.
Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and select Windows Terminal.
Step 2: Type the following command.
del /q/f/s %TEMP%\*
Hit enter to run the command and it will remove all the temporary files from the PC.
5. Use Storage Sense
You have successfully removed temporary files from Windows 11 PC. You need to use Storage Sense to make sure you don’t end up in a similar situation in the future.
Step 1: Launch Windows 11 Settings menu (use Windows + I keys).
Step 2: Go to System and open the Storage menu.
Step 3: Enable Storage Sense toggle.
Step 4: Go to Storage Sense settings and enable Automatic User content cleanup toggle.
The service kick in when disk space is low. The OS cleans up enough space to help your system run at its best.
You can also set cleanup schedules to run Storage Sense.
Should I Invest a Third-Party Cleanup App?
Windows 11 has good enough tools to delete temporary files from the computer. You don’t need a dedicated third-party tool to remove temp files. Some of these apps are filled with ads and malware that can harm your PC in the process.
Free Up Space on Windows 11
There you have it. Use the tricks above and you can easily delete temporary files in Windows 11. You can also use Storage Sense and avoid collecting too many temp files in the background.
