How To Delete Temp Files In Windows 7

Answer

In general, it's safe to delete anything in the Temp folder. Sometimes, y'all may get a "tin't delete considering the file is in use" message, but you can only skip those files.

For safety, do your Temp directory deleting just after you reboot the computer. Sometimes, a program installer volition put something in the Temp directory that information technology needs to consummate the installation afterwards a reboot. If you lot reboot and wait a fleck so that everything has settled downward, anything left in the Temp folder should be OK to delete.

If you want to be bourgeois, use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool (blazon Disk Cleanup in the Search box). If you select "Temporary files" as one of the items to be cleaned (deleted), by default Deejay Cleanup simply deletes files that haven't been modified inside the by vii days.

-----
LemP
Volunteer Moderator
MS MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) 2006-2009
Microsoft Community Contributor (MCC) 2011-2012

408 people constitute this reply helpful

Was this answer helpful?

Lamentable this didn't assist.

Corking! Cheers for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us ameliorate the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Answer

On Fri, 17 Jan 2014 xviii:56:47 +0000, steveoverholt wrote:

What goes in the Windows-->Temp folder in windows 7, and if I delete the files there, will that crusade any issues? I want to gratuitous upwards the 1.8G disk space, but can find no info anywhere of the consequences of deleting these files, what they're for, or how they got there.

Yep, they tin, and should be, deleted periodically.

The temp folder provides workspace for programs. Programs can create
temporary files there for their own temporary use. Each program should
delete all its temporary files when it closes, but for various reasons
it doesn't always happen (for example, if the program crashes, it
never gets to do this). That's why it's a good idea to periodically
clean out anything left at that place.

Also note that there are some plan installations which piece of work in two
steps. The first footstep concludes by writing temporary files and
rebooting. The second stride starts automatically after rebooting and
needs to find those files there (and and then deletes them when it'due south
washed).

Other than doing it automatically when rebooting (that would interfere
with installations like the kind I described), it'south e'er safe to
delete the contents of the temp folder. Because it'south safe to delete
whatsoever temp files that aren't open and in employ by an awarding, and
since Windows won't let yous delete open up files, it's safe to (try to)
delete them at whatsoever fourth dimension. If any fail to delete because they're open,
they'll either exist deleted automatically when the app using them
closes, or yous'll get them the next time you delete manually.

Some people may suggest that you reboot before deleting anything, but
that'south non necessary, for the reason described above (on the other
mitt, it doesn't hurt to do information technology).

Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP since October 2003

263 people found this reply helpful

Was this reply helpful?

Pitiful this didn't aid.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us meliorate the site.

How satisfied are yous with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.