Delete Temporary Files in Windows 11: Step-by-Step

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to safely delete temporary files in Windows 11 to free up disk space and improve system performance. You’ll learn several built-in methods, from the Settings app to Disk Cleanup, and how to avoid common pitfalls. No prior technical knowledge is needed, and all steps use tools that come with Windows 11.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 11 PC with an administrator account (recommended, though not always required).
At least a few minutes of time; the process itself is quick, but scanning can take a while if you have many files.
Optional: a USB drive or external storage if you plan to move large files instead of deleting them.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Click the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar, then click the gear icon (Settings). Alternatively, press Win + I on your keyboard.
Go to System > Storage. In the Settings window, click “System� in the left sidebar, then click “Storage� in the main pane.
View temporary files. Under the “Storage management� section, click “Temporary files.� Windows will scan and show a list of categories, such as “Windows Update Cleanup,� “Delivery Optimization Files,� “Recycle Bin,� and “Temporary files.�
Select what to delete. Check the boxes next to the categories you want to remove. Be cautious: “Downloads� and “Recycle Bin� may contain files you want to keep. If you’re unsure, leave those unchecked. The “Temporary files� category is usually safe to delete.
Click “Remove files.� After selecting, click the “Remove files� button at the top of the list. Confirm if prompted. Windows will delete the selected items and show a progress bar.
Use Disk Cleanup (alternative). If you prefer a more detailed tool, type “Disk Cleanup� in the Start menu search and press Enter. Select the drive (usually C:) and click OK. The tool calculates how much space you can free. Check the categories you want (e.g., “Temporary Internet Files,� “Thumbnails�), then click OK and confirm deletion.
Run Storage Sense (automatic). To automate cleanup, go back to Settings > System > Storage and toggle on “Storage Sense.� Click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now� to set a schedule (e.g., daily, weekly) and choose what to clean automatically.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the “Downloads� folder without checking. This folder often contains important files you downloaded. Always review its contents before selecting it.
Clearing “Recycle Bin� accidentally. Once emptied, files are gone permanently. Double-check that you don’t need anything in the bin.
Selecting “Windows Update Cleanup� while an update is installing. This can cause issues. Wait until updates are fully installed before removing these files.
Using third-party “cleaner� apps unnecessarily. Windows built-in tools are sufficient and safer. Third-party tools may delete files that break applications.
Expecting huge space gains. Temporary files are usually small. If you need significant space, consider uninstalling programs or moving large files to external storage.

Tips

Run cleanup regularly. Set Storage Sense to run weekly or monthly to keep your drive tidy without manual effort.
Check the “Previous Windows installation(s)� category. If you upgraded from an older Windows version, this can free several gigabytes, but you won’t be able to roll back afterward.
Use the “Free up space now� option. In Storage settings, click “Free up space now� to get a quick scan and cleanup without navigating to Temporary files.
Empty the Recycle Bin separately. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop and select “Empty Recycle Bin� for a quick clear.
Monitor your storage. In Storage settings, you can see a breakdown of what’s taking space (Apps, Documents, etc.) to target large items.

Troubleshooting

“Temporary files� doesn’t show a size or is stuck at 0. This can happen if the scan is still running. Wait a few seconds, or restart your PC and try again.
You get an error saying “You don’t have permission.� Some system files require administrator rights. Right-click the Start button, select “Terminal (Admin)� or “Windows PowerShell (Admin),� and run Disk Cleanup from there.
Deletion seems to hang or take forever. Large caches (like Windows Update Cleanup) can take time. Let it run; if it freezes for more than 30 minutes, restart the PC and try a smaller selection.
After deleting, you notice a program misbehaves. This is rare, but if an app loses its cached data, it may need to rebuild it. Restart the app or reinstall it if the issue persists.
Storage Sense isn’t working. Ensure it’s toggled on and that you have a schedule set. Also check that your drive has enough free space for the cleanup to run (it needs a little room to work).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to delete temporary files?

Yes, in most cases. Temporary files are meant to be temporary. Deleting them won’t harm your system, but you might lose unsaved data in open programs (like an unsaved Word document). Always save your work first.

How much space will I free up?

It varies. On a typical system, you might free up 1-5 GB, but it can be more if you haven’t cleaned in a while. The Settings app shows the size before you delete, so you’ll know in advance.

Will deleting temporary files speed up my PC?

It can help if your disk is nearly full, but it won’t magically make your PC faster. If your system is slow, other factors like too many startup programs or low RAM are more likely culprits.

What’s the difference between “Temporary files� and “Windows Update Cleanup�?

“Temporary files� are general app and system caches. “Windows Update Cleanup� specifically removes old update files that are no longer needed. Both are safe to delete, but the latter can free more space.

Can I delete files in the Windows\Temp folder manually?

Yes, you can. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter. Select all files (Ctrl+A) and delete them. Some files may be in use and skip; that’s normal. This is a more direct method but less user-friendly.

Does Storage Sense delete my personal files?

No, Storage Sense only removes temporary files, recycle bin contents (if you enable that), and other items you specifically choose. It won’t touch your documents, photos, or downloads unless you explicitly configure it to clean the Downloads folder.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.