How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 11?

  

Mark Regan
Published: September 25th, 2025 • 6 Min Read

Are you looking to delete temporary files in your Windows 11 computer? Temporary files, also known as temp files, assist your Windows system by backing up and caching data. After their intended purpose is served, they often linger on your computer, taking up valuable space and slowing it down. By regularly clearing temporary files in Windows 11, you will free up storage space and improve your PC’s performance. In this guide, you’ll learn how to delete temporary files in Windows 11, where temporary files are stored, and how they can be permanently removed to maintain a clean and efficient system. Learning how to delete unwanted files to ensure your PC runs smoothly.

What Are Temporary Files in Windows 11?

Temporary files are data files created and saved by your operating system to back up or cache data during the running of your applications. Typically, a .tmp file extension is created during the installation of new applications and during many software processes; temp files should normally be removed automatically. However, many temp files don’t get automatically deleted after being created.

Temp files often build up in your system unnecessarily, and that can take up precious space both in terms of processing and in storage. It’s really important to delete temp files Windows 11 regularly for both performance enhancement and to eliminate unneeded space. Knowing how to delete temp files in Windows 11 or using delete temporary files methods keeps your system optimized.

Common Storage Locations for Temp Files

Before you begin to delete temporary files, you need to know the location where these files are stored. The most common temp folders in Windows 11 include:

C:\Users\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Windows\Temp

Now, to quickly access these folders use the windows + r commands for cleaning temp files:

1. Press the Windows + R key on your keyboard.
2. When the run command box opens, type %temp% and hit enter.
3. This will open the user temp folder.

You may also type temp or prefetch in the run command to check for other cached data.

These windows + r commands for cleaning temp files is the fastest way to find out where temporary files are stored and learn how to delete temporary files in Windows 11 or use delete temporary files commands efficiently.

How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 11? Step-by-Step

Here are some ways to delete temp files in Windows 11. Using one of the options below, you will be able to delete the files you don’t need and enhance performance. If you want to know how to delete temp files or delete temporary files without any tool, these steps will help.

1. Erase Temp Files Using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool that allows you to clean temporary files Windows 11 within just a few clicks. To do that,

1. Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup; then, open the utility.
2. Select the drive you want to clean up (most of the time it is C:), and click OK.
3. In the Files to Delete section, check Temporary files and other items that are in your way.
4. Click OK and then Delete Files.

Thus, the temp file delete process is complete, and no third-party software was used to clean Windows 11 temp files or delete temporary files safely.

2. Delete Temporary Files Manually

If you want a manual way, you can also just delete temp files from the folder.

1. First, press Windows + R.
2. Type %temp% and hit OK.
3. Select all files with Ctrl + A.
4. Press Shift + Delete to permanently delete these files.
5. To delete the temp files from the other System folder, type C:\Windows\Temp in the Run box.

This is the easiest way to delete temp files Windows 11 manually and free up space if you know how to delete temp files in Windows 11 step by step. Using this method, you can also delete temporary files quickly without extra software.

3. Clear Temp Files Using Windows Settings

Another way to clear temp files Windows 11 is by using the built-in Storage settings.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select System > Storage.
3. Under the Local Disk (C:) section, click on Temporary Files.
4. Then check the boxes for the file types you want to delete, including Temporary Files.
5. Finally, click Remove Files to begin deleting.

If you’d rather not use the Run command, this method is ideal to clean Windows 11 temp files and delete temporary files efficiently.

4. Delete Temp Files Using CMD (Command Prompt)

Advanced users can use temporary file delete command or temp file delete command to clear temp files all at once.

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin.
2. Then run the following commands in order:
   del /q/f/s %temp%\*
del /q/f/s C:\Windows\Temp\*

These commands will delete all the files in the temp folders at once. Using this temp file delete command, you can delete temporary files quickly and know exactly how to delete temp files in Windows 11.

Permanent Erasure of Temporary Files

The above methods delete temp files, but some of their data can be recovered using data recovery tools. If you wish to delete temp files permanently for security reasons, you can use any professional data wiping software like BitRecover Data Wipe Software.

This tool uses industry algorithms to delete temporary files permanently without the ability to recover, ensuring complete privacy protection.

How to Permanently Delete Temp Files?

To delete temp files Windows 11 permanently, follow these steps using BitWipe Wizard. It will wipe your temp files securely so that nobody can recover them.

1. Launch the software. Choose an option to wipe data: Wipe Files/Folders or Wipe Logical/Physical Drives.
   
2. Pick Select Files or Select Folders to add your temp files in bulk to delete temporary files permanently.
   
3. From the tool console, choose a wipe method to securely clean Windows 11 temp files.
   
4. Use advanced data filters to help sort and select certain temp files for destruction.
   
5. Utilize the drive monitor feature built into the tool for another level of cleaning and to keep track of it.
   

These quick steps take care of a secure and complete temp file delete process, beyond simply cleanup methods like delete temp files manually, using the temporary file delete command, or delete temporary files via settings.

Conclusion

Deleting temp files regularly is important to ensure your Windows PC runs smoothly. Whether it’s Disk Cleanup, manually deleting them, using clear temp files Windows 11 run command, or executing a temp file delete command, you’re clearing files that take up space and slow down the performance of your computer.
If you want true privacy and security then a professional tool is your first choice to permanently delete temporary files. Again, be sure to build the habit of regularly deleting temp files in Windows 11. Knowing exactly how to delete temporary files in Windows 11 will keep your computer running faster, cleaner, and more efficiently.