Delete Temporary Files on Windows 11 [How to]

Temporary files can slow down your PC, therefore it’s crucial to know how to delete temporary files on Windows 11, and this guide will show you the right way to do that.

How can I delete temporary files in Windows 11?

1. Use the Settings menu

1. Hit the Windows key, then open the Settings menu.
2. Select the System section, then navigate to Storage.
3. Click on the Temporary files section.
4. Checkmark all the files you want to delete, then click on the Remove files button.

To delete temp files, you must have administrator access or else, you’ll get the folder access denied message.

2. Try Disk Cleanup

1. 1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.

2. 2. Type Disk Cleanup in the search box that opens, and click on the result to open the app.

   

3. 3. Checkmark the files you want to delete, then click on OK.

   

4. 4. After, click on the Clean up system files button.

   

5. 5. Select the files you want to delete, then click on OK.

   

6. 6. To confirm the changes, click on the Delete Files button.

   

Disk Cleanup is a free disk cleaner that’s built into Windows 11, but if you want something more advanced, you can also try using automatic repair and optimization software.

3. Delete files from Temp Folder

3.1 With File Explorer

1. Use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + R.
2. In the Run dialog box, type %temp%, then click OK.
3. Select the files you need to delete, then click on the Delete icon, marked as a trash.

3.2 With Command Prompt

1. Press on the Windows key, type cmd, then choose to Run as administrator.
2. Copy and paste the following command, then hit the Enter key: del /q/f/s %TEMP%\*
3. Now all the temporary files that don’t require additional permissions will be deleted.

This is one of the fastest ways to perform a junk files cleanup, so don’t hesitate to try it.

4. Automatically clear Temporary Files with Storage Sense

1. Navigate to the Storage page, from the Windows Settings menu.
2. Look at the Storage Sense section, then make sure the toggle button is set on On.
3. Now click on the Storage Sense section to customize various options.
4. In the opened window, under Configure cleanup schedules, select the drop-down menus for each section, then select the desired options.

After enabling Storage Sense in Windows 11 and configuration, your temporary files will be automatically cleaned on your system as per the set schedule.

Is it safe to delete temp files in Windows 11?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to delete temp files in Windows 11. These files are usually used during setup or as cache, so removing them won’t cause any issues on your PC.

If you encounter any problems, we have a guide on what to do if temporary files aren’t deleting, so be sure to check it out.

For any additional questions or thoughts, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the section below.