Temporary Files - Temp Folder

How to Clear Vista Temporary Files in the Temp Folder​

   Information

The Temp folder is where Vista and programs sometimes store temporary files. Sometimes these files are not deleted after Vista or the program is finished with them. This can cause the temp folder to fill up with junk temp files which may cause Vista to take longer to access the Temp folder and create a slight delay.

This will show you how to clear the Vista temporary files through Disk Cleanup or manually in the Temp folder.

   Note

The Vista Temp folder is located at:

C:\Users\(User-Name)\AppData\Local\Temp

   Warning

While it is safe to delete these files, it is best not to do this while installing or uninstalling anything.

   Tip

CCleaner is a free program that is great at keeping the temporary files cleaned up and more.

EXAMPLE: Vista User Account Temp Folder

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METHOD ONE

Through Disk Cleanup

   Note

Disk Cleanup will only delete Temporary files that have not been modified in 7 days. To clear everything, see METHOD TWO below, or How to Set Disk Cleanup to Delete Vista Temporary Files Less than a Week Old .

1. Open Disk Cleanup.​

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2. Check Temporary files. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Click on OK.​

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4. Click on Delete Files to confirm the action.​

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METHOD TWO

To Manually Clear the Temp Folder

   Note

The Temp folder is located at the hidden system folder:

C:\Users\(Your Username)\AppData\Local\Temp

1. Open the Start Menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type %temp% and press Enter.​

NOTE: This opens the Temp folder.​

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3. Delete anything you want in this folder. (See screenshots below step 4)​

   Warning

If you delete the Low folder, it can prevent you from printing from Internet Explorer. To fix this, close all Internet Explorer windows and reopen Internet Explorer to recreate the Low folder. You can also manually fix this by recreating the Low folder in the Temp folder below, open a elevated command prompt, then Copy and Paste the command below in the command prompt and press enter.

   Warning

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icacls %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Temp\Low /setintegritylevel (OI)(CI)low

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   Note

If you receive a File In Use error message while the files are being deleted, then this just means that one of the temp files is in use by a program right now. Click Skip to continue deleting the other files, then close all open programs, and repeat the steps above. If you still receive the message, then restart the computer or logoff and logon, and repeat the process again. (See screenshot below)

   Note

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4. Close the Temp folder when done.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Delete the Internet Explorer Browsing History in Vista
• How to Create Shortcuts to Delete Internet Explorer Browsing History in Vista
• How to Use Disk Cleanup in Vista
• How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Vista
• How to See and Flush the Contents of the DNS Resolver Cache in Vista
• How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Vista
• How to Create a "Clear Clipboard" Shortcut in Windows
• How to Use the Vista SP1 Disk Cleanup Tool
• How to Use the Vista SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool
• How to Set Disk Cleanup to Delete Vista Temporary Files Less than a Week Old
• How to Enable or Disable Clear Virtual Memory Paging File at Shutdown in Vista
• How to Run the Extended Disk Cleanup in Vista
• How to Replace Delete in the Recycle Bin Context Menu in Vista
• How to Customize the Recycle Bin Context Menu in Vista

 

[Kotuku]

Hello!
I deleted all junk files in local\temp except one. It says that this file no longer locate in local\temp. So it won't allow me to delete it. I know for the fact that I saved it in my E: drive CD(which is now destroyed). Is there any way to get rid of it?
Thanks.

Are you really Judge Judy?? <smile>

The odd file is locked from the initial installation of the OS. Some files are daily created by AV programs, so those can't be deleted. Just adding that to make sure you do want to delete the file!

This MS link may help

You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume

There are a bunch of solutions here towards the end of the thread but again, not sure what fits your problem?

cannot delete a file

Kotuku

 

[Brink]

Hi Bennys,

Your attached image seems to be broken and not working.

 

[bennys]

Are you really Judge Judy?? <smile>

No. Someone is playing trick on me. Last week, I was The Golden Girls(old TV show). This week I'm Judge Judy. I wonder who am I going to be, Dr. Phil?:D Thanks for the link.

Hi Bennys,

Your attached image seems to be broken and not working.

Please recheck. I fixed it.
Thanks.

 

[ggbib]

haha, you have me spoiled brink, i expected to see .reg to clear temp folder on reboot, . J

 

[Brink]

LOL ggbib,

I wish I could for this, but it is just to specific to be able to in the registry.

 

[rickrode]

when I saw all the files in temp folder I just wondering. Is that all the copies of some of my files? any effect on those if suppose I am using the actual files? or just back or copy files?


Anyhow, I really appreciate this tutorial its really helpful I just know, thanks man!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Rick. Temp files are just temporary files that programs use while they are runing. It is safe to delete these. If the program needs the deleted temp file later, it will just reload it in the temp folder again.

 

[richc46]

Excellent, I was helping a poster clean his Hard Drive and gave him this tut. I actually tried the manual method myself. Although, I clean the temp files once a month with disc cleanup I still found 3gb of crap. I was surprised, since I also clear System Files on Window 7. Thanks Shawn.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Richard. Thank you.