Free Up SSD Space Consumed by ETL Files

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To free up SSD space consumed by ETL files, you need to identify where these temporary files are stored, stop the process that creates them, and then safely delete or relocate them. ETL files are temporary trace logs created by Windows Performance Recorder and related tools; they can grow large and are safe to remove once the logging session is stopped.

What Are ETL Files?

ETL stands for Event Trace Log. These files are generated by the Windows operating system when you use built-in performance monitoring tools like Performance Monitor, Windows Performance Recorder, or when certain system diagnostics run automatically. They contain binary data about system events, such as CPU usage, disk activity, and application crashes. Unlike text logs, ETL files are not meant to be read directly; they are opened with tools like Windows Performance Analyzer.

Most ETL files are small, but if a trace runs for a long time or captures high-frequency events, the file can grow to several gigabytes. They are often stored in folders like C:\Windows\System32\Winevt\Logs or in the user’s Temp folder. Because they are temporary by design, they are not protected and can be deleted after the logging session ends.

Why Do ETL Files Accumulate?

ETL files are created whenever a trace session is started. This can happen in several ways:

You manually start Windows Performance Recorder or Performance Monitor.
Windows Error Reporting saves a trace when an application crashes.
System diagnostics run during startup or after an update.
Third-party software uses the Windows Event Tracing (ETW) API and leaves logs behind.

In most cases, the system is supposed to delete these files automatically, but crashes, forced shutdowns, or software bugs can leave them behind. Over time, they accumulate and consume significant space, especially on smaller SSDs where every gigabyte matters.

How to Find ETL Files on Your SSD

Before deleting anything, you need to locate the files. The most common locations are:

C:\Windows\System32\Winevt\Logs – system event logs, some of which are ETL files.
C:\Windows\Temp – temporary files created by system tools.
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Temp – user-level temporary files.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER – Windows Error Reporting traces.
C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles – some traces are stored here.

To search for them, open File Explorer, go to the drive, and use the search box with *.etl. You can also use the Command Prompt with dir /s /b *.etl to list all ETL files on the drive. This will show you the file sizes and locations.

Safe Ways to Delete ETL Files

Deleting ETL files is generally safe, but you must ensure that no trace session is currently writing to them. If a file is in use, you will get an error. Here are the steps:

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and check if Windows Performance Recorder or any tracing tool is running. If yes, stop it.
Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator).
Type logman query -ets to list active trace sessions. If you see one that you don’t need, you can stop it with logman stop [session name] -ets.
Once no session is active, you can delete the ETL files using File Explorer or the command del /s /q *.etl from the appropriate folder.

If you are unsure about a specific file, you can check its properties to see the last modified date. If it’s old and not being written to, it’s safe to remove.

Using Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense

Windows has built-in tools that can automatically remove temporary files, including ETL files. Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) and Storage Sense are the easiest options:

Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu, select your SSD, and check “Temporary files” and “System error memory dump files”. Then click OK.
Go to Settings > System > Storage and enable Storage Sense. It can automatically clean temporary files every day, week, or month.

These tools are safe and will not remove files that are in use. They are a good first step before manually deleting ETL files.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that ETL files are system-critical and should never be deleted. In reality, they are just logs. Deleting them does not affect system stability. However, there are a few pitfalls:

Deleting a file while a trace is active can cause the tracing tool to crash or write errors.
Some ETL files are part of the system event logs. Deleting them may clear event history, but that is not harmful.
Don’t delete the entire Winevt\Logs folder; only delete the .etl files inside it.
If you see an ETL file that is several gigabytes, it might be from a stuck trace session. Restarting the computer often stops the session and frees the file for deletion.

Preventing ETL Files from Accumulating

To keep your SSD clean, you can take a few proactive steps:

Regularly run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense.
If you use Windows Performance Recorder, stop the trace and delete the file after you’re done.
Check for third-party software that might be creating traces. Some antivirus or monitoring tools have their own logging options that you can disable.
Use the wevtutil command to manage event logs and set size limits.

By following these practices, you can keep ETL files from consuming unnecessary space on your SSD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ETL files safe to delete?

Yes, ETL files are temporary logs and are safe to delete once no trace session is active. The system will recreate them if needed.

Why is my ETL file so large?

A large ETL file usually means a trace session ran for a long time or captured high-frequency events. For example, a CPU trace can grow quickly. You can stop the session and delete the file.

Can I move ETL files to another drive?

You can move them, but it’s not necessary. If you want to keep them for analysis, you can copy them to another drive and delete the originals. However, they are not meant to be stored long-term.

What happens if I delete an ETL file that is in use?

You will get an error saying the file is being used by another process. You can either stop the process or wait until it finishes. Restarting the computer usually resolves it.

Do ETL files affect system performance?

No, they are just files on disk. They do not affect performance unless they fill up the drive, which can slow down the system.

Can I disable ETL file creation entirely?

You can disable specific trace sessions, but Windows uses ETW for many internal functions. It’s not recommended to disable all tracing. Instead, manage the files regularly.

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