Windows 10 Delete Temp ,%Temp%, Prefetch

In the world of computing, maintaining system performance and efficiency is crucial. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to achieve this is by managing temporary files and folders on your Windows 10 operating system. The people often overlook the importance of cleaning up temporary files, which can accumulate over time and take up valuable storage space. This guide aims to provide a detailed walkthrough on how to delete temporary files in Windows 10, including the %Temp% and Prefetch folders.

Understanding Temporary Files

Before diving into the deletion process, let’s first understand what temporary files are and why they are created. Temporary files, or ‘temp’ files, are files that applications create to hold information temporarily while they are processing or executing. These files can include:

While these files can help with smoother functioning and faster access, they often outlive their usefulness and become redundant, consuming precious disk space and even hindering performance. Regularly deleting them helps keep your system running smoothly.

Why You Should Delete Temporary Files?

The accumulation of temporary files can have several negative consequences:

Regular cleanup of temporary files not only improves system performance but also enhances your privacy and security.

Methods for Deleting Temporary Files

In Windows 10, there are several methods you can use to delete temporary files, including using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool, manually deleting files through File Explorer, and using command prompt commands.

Method 1: Using Disk Cleanup

Access Disk Cleanup

:

Click on the Start menu, type “Disk Cleanup,” and hit Enter.

Select Drive

:

Choose the drive you want to clean up, typically the C: drive, and click OK.

Scan for Files

:

Disk Cleanup will take a moment to calculate the amount of space you can free up.

Select Temporary Files

:

In the Disk Cleanup dialog, you will see a list of file categories you can delete. Look for “Temporary files.”
You can also select other categories, such as “Recycle Bin” or “Download” if you wish to free up more space.

Delete Files

:

After selecting the categories, click OK and then confirm the deletion when prompted. Disk Cleanup will remove the selected files.

This method is straightforward and efficient, especially for users who prefer an automated approach to file management.

Method 2: Deleting Files via File Explorer

Another method is to manually delete temporary files using the File Explorer. This method gives you more control over what files you remove.

Open File Explorer

:

Press
Windows + E
or click the File Explorer icon in the taskbar.

Access the Temp Folder

:

Type
%temp%
in the address bar and press Enter. This command takes you directly to your user profile’s Temp folder, where many temporary files are stored.

Delete Temporary Files

:

Select all files by pressing
Ctrl + A
and then choose the Delete option from the right-click menu or press the Delete key on your keyboard.
You may receive a prompt that some files are in use; you can skip these files without any issue.

Access the Actual Temp Folder

:

You can also access the system-wide Temp folder by going to C:WindowsTemp. Repeat the same process: select all files and delete them.

Deleting files from these Temp folders can free up several gigabytes of space, depending on how much you’ve been using your computer.

Method 3: Clearing the Prefetch Folder

The Prefetch folder is where Windows stores data about frequently used programs to speed up performance. While this typically improves system efficiency, long-term accumulation can create an unnecessary burden.

Open File Explorer

:

Open File Explorer as previously detailed.

Access the Prefetch Folder

:

Type
C:WindowsPrefetch
in the address bar and press Enter.

Delete Files

:

You can select all files in the Prefetch folder (Ctrl + A) and delete them.

Windows will recreate the necessary prefetch files when you restart the system, so you don’t need to worry about losing anything essential in this folder.

Method 4: Using the Command Prompt

If you are comfortable with command-line interfaces, you can also use the Command Prompt to delete temporary files.

Open Command Prompt

:

Click Start, type “cmd,” and right-click on Command Prompt to run it as an administrator.

Deleting Temp Files

:

Type the following command:
```
del /q/f/s %temp%*
```
Press Enter. This command deletes all files in your Temp folder without prompting for confirmation.

Delete from the Windows Temp

:

To clear the Windows Temp folder, type:
```
del /q/f/s C:WindowsTemp*
```
Again, press Enter to execute.

Clear Prefetch

:

To delete files from the Prefetch folder, type:
```
del /q/f/s C:WindowsPrefetch*
```
Press Enter.

Using the command prompt allows for a more powerful way to clean your system, but should be used carefully, as commands cannot be undone.

Scheduling Regular Cleanups

To keep your system tidy and efficient, consider scheduling regular cleanups. Windows 10 has a built-in feature that allows you to automate this process:

Create a Cleanup Task

:

Open Task Scheduler by typing “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu search box.

Create Basic Task

:

Click on “Create Basic Task” on the right-hand sidebar. This opens a wizard for setting up a new task.

Name and Trigger

:

Name your task (e.g., “Weekly Temp File Cleanup”), and choose a trigger. You can select options such as daily, weekly, or monthly.

Action

:

Select “Start a Program” as your action. You can enter
C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe
in the “Program/script” field.

In the “Add arguments” field, you can use:

/C "del /q/f/s %temp%* & del /q/f/s C:WindowsTemp* & del /q/f/s C:WindowsPrefetch*"

This batch command will clean up the specified temporary folders automatically based on your schedule.

Finish Setup

:

Confirm all settings and finish the task creation.

This setup helps ensure your system remains clutter-free without requiring manual intervention.

Third-Party Tools

Although Windows offers built-in functionalities to manage temporary files, some users may prefer third-party utilities designed specifically for disk cleanup. Programs like CCleaner can streamline the process with more options and faster execution. Here are some benefits and precautions:

Benefits of Third-Party Tools:

User-Friendly Interface

: Many of these tools have intuitive user interfaces that make it easy to understand and operate.
Advanced Features

: They often offer advanced cleaning options that can target more specialized files and settings.
Scheduled Cleanups

: Just like with the Windows Task Scheduler, many third-party applications let you schedule regular cleanups.

Precautions:

Privacy and Security

: Always be cautious while downloading and installing software from third-party sources. Ensure that the software is from a reputable vendor.
Review Settings

: Before executing any cleaning process, review settings to avoid unintended deletions.

Conclusion

Cleaning temporary files, including those in the %Temp% and Prefetch folders, is an essential maintenance task for a Windows 10 system. With clutter-free storage, system performance improves, and the risk of data breaches decreases. Depending on your comfort level, you can use various methods from Windows’ built-in features to command-line executions or third-party tools.

By incorporating regular cleanup into your routine—whether automated or manual—you’ll maintain optimal system performance and ensure a more streamlined computing experience. Make it a bit of a habit, and your system will thank you with quicker boots, faster app launches, and a smoother overall experience.