{"id":2559,"date":"2014-10-11T03:44:33","date_gmt":"2014-10-11T08:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/?p=2559"},"modified":"2016-09-22T10:30:31","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T15:30:31","slug":"delete-temporary-files-folders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/delete-temporary-files-folders\/","title":{"rendered":"Delete Temporary Files and Folders: Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

This guide shows you how to delete temporary files and folders<\/strong> for the following Windows versions: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows 10.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Delete temporary files and folders in Windows XP<\/h2>\n
Before you begin, please make sure that:<\/p>\n
\n
You’re logged in as an Administrator<\/li>\n
No software is running: close all open applications and exit any software that is not essentials, e.g. printing software, antivirus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Do not delete any temporary files and folders if you’ve recently installed a new software or update, but didn’t perform a restart of your computer. Certain software can still use the Temp folder until you restart the PC.<\/p>\n
Delete using Windows Explorer<\/h3>\n
To delete the files and folders using the Windows Explorer, follow these instructions for Windows XP systems:<\/p>\n
\n
Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
Click Run<\/strong><\/li>\n
Type `%temp%<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\n`
`Click OK<\/strong> or press Enter<\/kbd> to open the Temp folder\nThe Temp folder holds all the temporary files and folders for the Windows XP systems.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n`
`From the Tools<\/em> menu, click Folder Options<\/strong><\/li>\n`
`The Folder Options window should now appear<\/li>\n`
`Click the View<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n`
`Under Hidden files and folders<\/em>, check the Show hidden files and folders checkbox<\/strong><\/li>\n`
`Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n`
`Select all the files and folders you see in the Temp<\/strong> folder by pressing Ctrl<\/kbd> + A<\/kbd><\/li>\n`
`Press Shift<\/kbd> + Delete<\/kbd> key to delete the selected files and folders.Or, you can right-click on the selected files and folders, click Delete.<\/strong> Then empty the Recycle Bin.<\/li>\n`
Click Yes<\/strong> to confirm deletion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using File Explorer in Windows XP<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Disk Cleanup<\/h3>\nYou can also use the Disk Cleanup utility which can delete the files and folders from the Temp folder:<\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong><\/li>\n Go to All Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools<\/li>\n Click Disk Cleanup<\/strong><\/li>\n Select the Temporary files option, deselect all other options, then click OK<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Yes<\/strong> to confirm that you want to delete from the Temp folder<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nYou can also open the Disk Cleanup Utility by:<\/p>\n\nOpen My Computer<\/strong><\/li>\n Right-click the C:\\<\/code> drive, where C:\\<\/code> is the drive where Windows XP is installed<\/li>\n Select Properties<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Disk Cleanup<\/strong> at the General<\/em> tab<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Disk Cleanup in Windows XP<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Command Prompt<\/h3>\nTo delete the contents of the Temp folder, open Command Prompt<\/strong> and type this command:<\/p>\ndel \/q\/f\/s %TEMP%\\<\/pre>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Command Prompt in Windows XP<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete temporary files and folders in Windows Vista<\/h2>\nBefore you delete the temporary files and folders, please make sure that:<\/p>\n\nYou’re logged in as an Administrator<\/li>\nExit any running software that might use the Temp folder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIf you installed a new update or software, restart the computer before you delete the Temp folder. Certain software can still use the Temp folder.<\/p>\nDelete using Windows Explorer<\/h3>\nTo delete the files and folders on a Windows Vista system using the Explorer, just follow these steps:<\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong><\/li>\n Type %temp%<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\n Press Enter<\/kbd> on your keyboard to open the Temp folder<\/li>\n From the View<\/em> tab, select Hidden items<\/strong><\/li>\n Select all files and folders by pressing Ctrl<\/kbd> + A<\/kbd><\/li>\n Then press Shift<\/kbd> + Delete<\/kbd> keys or right-click on these files and folders and click Delete.<\/strong>If you’ve opted for the last method, empty the Recycle Bin.<\/li>\nClick Yes<\/strong> to confirm that you want to delete these files and folders you’ve selected<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using File Explorer in Windows Vista<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Disk Cleanup<\/h3>\nYou can also use the Disk Cleanup utility on your Windows Vista:<\/p>\n\nClick Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools<\/strong><\/li>\n Click Disk Cleanup<\/strong><\/li>\n Select the drive you want to clean up, then click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n Select the Temporary files<\/strong> option, deselect all other options, then click OK<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Delete Files<\/strong> to confirm deletion of the files and folders<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nIn Windows Vista, you can also open the Disk Cleanup utility by:<\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong><\/li>\n Type disk cleanup<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\nPress Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Disk Cleanup in Windows Vista<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Command Prompt<\/h3>\nTo delete the contents of the Temp folder using Command Prompt<\/strong>, type this command:<\/p>\ndel \/q\/f\/s %TEMP%\\<\/pre>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Command Prompt in Windows Vista<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Delete temporary files and folders in Windows 7<\/h2>\nThe steps to delete temporary files and folders in Windows 7 are similar to those of Windows Vista.<\/p>\n Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you installed a new update or software, restart the computer before you delete the Temp folder. Certain software can still use the Temp folder.<\/p>\nDelete using Windows Explorer<\/h3>\nThe instructions are:<\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong> and type %temp%<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\n Press Enter<\/kbd> to open the Temp folder containing temporary files and other folders<\/li>\n From the Organize<\/em> or Tools<\/em> menu, click Folder and search options<\/strong> or Folder options…<\/strong><\/li>\n The Folder Options window should now appear<\/li>\n Click the View<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n Under Hidden files and folders<\/em>, check the Show hidden files, folders, or drives<\/strong> option<\/li>\n Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n Select all files and folders by pressing Ctrl<\/kbd> + A<\/kbd> (or select them with the mouse), then press Shift<\/kbd> + Delete<\/kbd> keys.If you delete the files and folder by right-click > Delete, empty the Recycle Bin.<\/li>\nClick Yes to confirm the action<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using File Explorer in Windows 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Disk Cleanup<\/h3>\nThe Disk Cleanup utility removes unnecessary files from your computer, including the temporary files and folders.<\/p>\n To open Disk Cleanup on a Windows 7 system, follow these instructions.<\/p>\n Method #1:<\/strong><\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong><\/li>\n Click All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup<\/li>\n Select the Temporary files<\/strong> option (you can deselect all other options)<\/li>\n Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Delete Files<\/strong> to confirm the delete action<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nMethod #2:<\/strong><\/p>\n\nOpen My Computer<\/strong><\/li>\n Right-click the the drive where Windows 7 is installed, usually C:\\<\/code><\/li>\n Select Properties<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Disk Cleanup<\/strong> at the General<\/em> tab<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Disk Cleanup in Windows 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Command Prompt<\/h3>\nTo delete the temporary files and folders using Command Prompt<\/strong>, type this command:<\/p>\ndel \/q\/f\/s %TEMP%\\<\/pre>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Command Prompt in Windows 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Delete temporary files and folders in Windows 8 or 8.1<\/h2>\nThese instructions apply for both 8 and 8.1 systems.<\/p>\n Before you continue with these sets of instructions, please log in as an Administrator<\/strong> and exit any running programs.<\/p>\n Make sure you perform a restart of your computer before you delete the contents of the Temp folder. Certain software or updates can still use the Temp folder if you haven’t performed a restart.<\/p>\nDelete using Windows Explorer<\/h3>\nTo delete the temporary files and folders on a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 computer, using the Windows Explorer, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong> and start typing %temp%<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\n The press Enter<\/kbd> on your keyboard to open the Temp folder.\nThe Temp<\/strong> folder holds all temporary files and folders on your computer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n At the View<\/em> tab, click Hidden items<\/strong><\/li>\nYou need to select all files and folders from the Temp folder. You can do that by:\n\nBy pressing Ctrl<\/kbd> + A<\/kbd>, then press Shift<\/kbd> + Delete<\/kbd> keys on your keyboard. This will delete all the files and folders you’ve selected.<\/li>\n You can also right-click on these files and folders and then click Delete.<\/strong>If you opt for this method, empty the Recycle Bin afterwards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\nClick Yes to confirm your action<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using File Explorer in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Disk Cleanup<\/h3>\nIf you’d like to delete the temporary files and folders using Disk Cleanup (which can delete other unnecessary files from your computer), follow these steps.<\/p>\n Both set of instructions apply to Windows 8 and Windows 8.1<\/p>\n\nClick Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n Go to Control Panel<\/li>\n At the Administrative Tools<\/em> section, click Disk Cleanup<\/strong><\/li>\n Select the Temporary files<\/strong> option<\/li>\n Click OK<\/li>\nClick Delete Files<\/strong> to confirm<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nOr, you can open the Charm Bar:<\/p>\n\nOpen Search by pressing the <\/span><\/kbd> and C<\/kbd> keys<\/li>\n Then type disk cleanup<\/code> in the search field<\/li>\n Then press Enter<\/kbd> on your keyboard<\/li>\nThe Disk Cleanup window should appear<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Disk Cleanup in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Command Prompt<\/h3>\nTo delete the contents of the Temp folder using Command Prompt<\/strong>, type this command:<\/p>\ndel \/q\/f\/s %TEMP%\\<\/pre>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Command Prompt in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Delete temporary files and folders in Windows 10<\/h2>\nBefore you continue with these sets of instructions, please log in as an Administrator<\/strong> and exit any running programs.<\/p>\n Make sure you perform a restart of your computer before you delete the contents of the Temp folder. Certain software or updates can still use the Temp folder if you haven’t performed a restart.<\/p>\nDelete using Windows Explorer<\/h3>\nTo delete the temporary files and folders on a Windows 10\u00a0computer, using the Windows Explorer, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\nClick Start<\/strong> and start typing %temp%<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\n The press Enter<\/kbd> on your keyboard to open the Temp folder.\nThe Temp<\/strong> folder holds all temporary files and folders on your computer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n At the View<\/em> tab, click Hidden items<\/strong><\/li>\nYou need to select all files and folders from the Temp folder. You can do that by:\n\nBy pressing Ctrl<\/kbd> + A<\/kbd>, then press Shift<\/kbd> + Delete<\/kbd> keys on your keyboard. This will delete all the files and folders you’ve selected.<\/li>\n You can also right-click on these files and folders and then click Delete.<\/strong>If you opt for this method, empty the Recycle Bin afterwards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\nClick Yes to confirm your action<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using File Explorer in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Disk Cleanup<\/h3>\nIf you’d like to delete the temporary files and folders using Disk Cleanup (which can delete other unnecessary files from your computer), follow these steps.<\/p>\n\nClick Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n Go to Control Panel<\/li>\n At the Administrative Tools<\/em> section, click Disk Cleanup<\/strong><\/li>\n Select the Temporary files<\/strong> option<\/li>\n Click OK<\/li>\nClick Delete Files<\/strong> to confirm<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Disk Cleanup in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDelete using Command Prompt<\/h3>\nTo delete the contents of the Temp folder using Command Prompt<\/strong>, type this command:<\/p>\ndel \/q\/f\/s %TEMP%\\*<\/pre>\n<\/a><\/p>\nDeleting temp files using Command Prompt in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n More Information<\/h2>\nSupport Links<\/h3>\n\nEasy Recovery Essentials for Windows<\/a> – our repair and recovery disk.<\/strong> \n \nIt’s an easy-to-use and automated diagnostics disk. It’s available for Windows 8<\/a>, Windows 7<\/a> and Windows Vista<\/a>. It’s also available for Windows XP and Windows Server.<\/p>\nRead more at Windows Recovery Disks<\/a>.\n<\/li>\n The NeoSmart Support Forums<\/a>, member-to-member technical support and troubleshooting.<\/li>\n Get a discounted price on replacement setup and installation discs: Windows XP<\/a>, Windows Vista<\/a>, Windows 7<\/a>, Windows 8<\/a>, Windows 10<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nApplicable Systems<\/h3>\nThis Windows-related knowledgebase article applies to the following operating systems:<\/p>\n \nWindows XP (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows Vista (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows 7 (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows 8 (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows 8.1 (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows Server 2003 (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows Server 2008 (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows Server 2012 (all editions)<\/li>\n Windows 10 (all editions)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This guide shows you how to delete temporary files and folders for the following Windows versions: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows 10. Delete temporary files and folders in Windows XP Before you begin, please make sure that: You’re logged in as an Administrator No software is running: close all open applications and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":508,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3SlTq-Fh","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/508"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2559"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4932,"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions\/4932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}