- Temporary files accumulate and affect performance; clearing them frees up space and prevents errors.
- Windows offers several native paths: Configuration, Releaser and Sensor storage.
- Browsers and your own files also take up a lot of space; sort, delete, or move to external.
- If something won't let you delete it, close it. apps, restart or use Safe Mode and, in the last case, cmd.
When Windows 11 It has been in use for some time, Temporary files They accumulate and devour space without us realizing it. These files support specific tasks of apps and the system itself, but Once they are no longer necessary, they become a burden.If you're short on storage, clearing temporary files is one of the quickest and safest steps to recover gigabytes on your hard drive.
In this complete guide you will learn all the ways to delete temporary files in Windows 11: from the simplest method in Settings, through manual cleaning of the %Temp% folder, the classic Disk Cleanup and the Storage sensor to automate cleaning. We will also see How to organize and move large personal files, delete temporary with the Symbol of the system, What to do when a file won't be deleted and third-party options like CCleaner or maintenance suites. As an extra, We include FAQs and a notice about a recent bug in Windows 11 24H2 which may show miscalculated time space.
What are temporary files and why should you delete them?
The most common temporary location is the user folder, for example C:\\Users\\AppData\\Local\\Temp (o C:\\Users\\AppData\\Local\\Temp in Spanish). Many apps write support files there., and browsers store caches to speed up the loading of websites, as well as cookies and history.
If a program crashes, temporary programs can help recover some of your work.. Because of that, Before deleting them, it is advisable to close the applications you are using.. Under normal conditions, its removal is safe and does not affect the operation of the system or your programs.
Letting “garbage” accumulate impacts performance: more disk usage, longer loading times and, with limited space, possible errors or crashesOn computers with low RAM, Windows draws from the paging file on disk; If the disk is at its limit, the system suffers until you free up space or expand memory.
The easiest way: delete temporary files from Settings
Windows 11 includes a specific panel to clean up temporary files. Hassle-free. It's fast, clear, and covers most types of unnecessary, space-consuming files.
Step by step: opens Home and enters Configuration. In the side menu choose System and then tap on StorageYou will see a summary of the album and, below it, content categories; click on Temporary files.
Check the file types you want to clean (caches, temporary installation files, dumps, thumbnails, etc.) and confirm with Remove files. If a confirmation window appears, press Continue y Windows will delete the selected temporary files.
Important tip: avoid selecting the folder Downloads from this menu if you actively use those files. The rest of the categories are usually safe to delete. under normal conditions.
Note on a recent ruling: In some Windows 11 24H2 installations it has been reported that The Storage panel shows “8,63 GB” of temporary updates that don’t actually take up that much space.It is a reporting problem, not an actual consumption problem; Microsoft has acknowledged the bug and is working on fixing it. via update. In the meantime, if you see that number, don't panic: You are not losing gigabytes because of it.
Manual cleanup: go to %Temp% and delete what is no longer needed
If you prefer full control, you can delete temporary files manually.. The advantage is that you decide exactly what is deletedThe downside is that it requires a little more care.
How to quickly access the temporary folder: opens Home and writes % Temp%The user's temporary files folder will open. Select all with Ctrl+E (or choose specific elements) and send them to the TrashYou can also use the context menu and the trash can icon.
If the warning appears that a file is in use by another process, omit that element and continue with the rest. In stubborn cases, restart your computer or enter Safe Mode and repeat the deletion; this way only the essential processes are loaded and it will be easier to remove what is blocked.
Usual benefit: It's not uncommon to recover several gigabytes with this method, especially on computers that haven't been cleaned in a while. To maximize the results, close browsers and apps before starting and empty the Recycle Bin at the end.
Disk Cleanup: The classic that still works
Disk Cleanup is still present in Windows 11. and is a reliable way to remove temporary and other debris of the System.
Form 1, from the Explorer: opens This team, double-click on the system drive, click on the three points from the bar and choose Cleaning to open the Liberator. Select the categories to clean and confirm with Accept and then Delete files.
Form 2, search engine and administrator: pulsa Windows + S, writes disk cleanup and run as administrator. If prompted, choose the drive to be analyzed, check the descriptions For each file type, mark what you want to delete and confirm.
What can Disk Cleanup delete? Configuration and program temps, residual files of Windows Update, Internet caches and offline pages, minidumps y memory dumps, bug reports, miniatures and user file history, among others. It is safe in most scenarios and frees up hundreds of MB, sometimes more.
Modern alternative: the Storage options that we saw at the beginning integrate many of these functions, so you can stick with the one that is most comfortable for you. In Windows 10 the process is very similar, so These instructions are also valid if you are still using that version..
Automate cleaning with the Storage Sensor
If you don't want to remember to clean, Windows 11 has Storage sensor, a function that automatically deletes temporary files and other expendable items as often as you choose.
Activate it and configure it like this: go to Configuración> Sistema> Almacenamiento and turn on Storage sensor. Enter your options for schedule it daily, weekly or monthly, or to act alone when there is little free space left.
In addition to temporary tasks, you can automate useful tasks how to empty the Trash every so often or clean the Downloads folder after X days. If you leave forgotten installers in Downloads, this will help you recover several gigabytes over time.
Key Advantage: Reduces manual effort and prevents dirt from accumulating. If you prefer to have everything "on autopilot," It is the most convenient option integrated into Windows.
The browser also accumulates data: cache, cookies and history
Web browsers generate a lot of temporary information. (cache, cookies, history), which can take up hundreds of megabytes if you don't manage it. Deleting it periodically helps free up space and protect your privacy.
Types of data that should be cleaned: la Cache stores web resources to load them faster; if it grows too large, may slow down your browser. The cookies They store preferences and also third-party tracking data; browsing and search history collect your activities; and stored passwords It is best to manage them with a dedicated administrator.
Repeat the cleanup in each browser you use (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and in applications like Steam. If you prefer to centralize it, Some maintenance suites are capable of clearing data from all browsers. installed in one pass.
Practical tip: after clearing caches and history, completely close the browser and reopen it to release locked handles and files.
Sort and move large personal files to a USB or SD
Beyond temporary files, your own files can be the main culprits of full space. (videos, music, images, downloads). Before you get hooked on merciless deletion, identify what weighs more and decide whether to delete it or move it to external storage.
Locate large files like this: opens File Browser and enters This PC. Choose folders like Videos, Music, Images o Downloads. Change the view to Details and use Sort by > Size to see above what takes up the most space.
To move content to a USB or SD card: Connect the external drive, select the files, press Cut and navigate to that device's path to Take. You will still have access when you plug it in, and you will gain space on your PC.
Council of Order: get used to cleaning the folder DownloadsAfter installing a program, the installer often sits there useless; The Storage Sensor can also automate this cleaning.
Delete temporary files with Command Prompt (for advanced users)
If you're comfortable with the console, you can empty %TEMP% with a commandIt is a fast track, although it involves files are deleted without going through the Recycle Bin.
Process: pulsa Windows + S, writes cmd o command prompt and choose Run as administrator. In the console, enter del /q/f/s %TEMP%\\ and press Intro. This attempts to delete all contents of the user's temporary folder.
If you see messages like “cannot be deleted because it is used in another process”, close programs and try again. Restart in Safe Mode usually unlocks those cases. If it still resists, check that it is not necessary or potentially malicious files before insisting.
Recommendation- If you are unsure, go for the interface methods (Setup or Liberator). They are friendlier and less prone to errors.
Third-party tools: CCleaner and maintenance suites
In addition to the Windows options, there are specialized utilities which perform a deeper cleaning and include extra options. CCleaner It is one of the best known and has a free version and paid editions with advanced features.
How to use CCleaner (basic): After installing it from their website, when you open it you can perform an initial analysis; press Continue and then Start CCleaner. Go into custom cleaning, Click on Analyze and when it shows results, press Run the cleaner to remove temporary and residual files from the system and applications.
What else does it offer?: Clears browser caches, history, cookies, thumbnails, and installation remnants, among others. If you need additional tools (e.g., premium features), has a subscription, although for cleaning temporary files the free edition is usually sufficient.
Other maintenance suites can offer free analysis to detect junk files scattered throughout the system and cleaning all browsers all at once. If you're interested in automating as much as possible, considering a suite may make sense; however, With the native options of Windows 11 you will cover most needs.
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