Normally Windows automatically deletes the user's temporary files, but in some cases the programs do not correctly free the files, which therefore cannot be deleted from the operating system. When this happens, the result is a large number of unnecessary files which can also take up a large amount of disk space. To delete these files you can use the "Disk Cleanup" system tool or choose to do it manually.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Disk Cleanup
Step 1. Press the "Start" button and type in the keywords "disk cleanup"
A system-wide search for the "Disk Cleanup" program will be performed. This method is much faster than having to go through all the menus to find it. Select the "Disk Cleanup" icon from the results list that appears.
Step 2. Choose the hard drive you want to scan
In most cases, users' temporary files are stored on the "C:" drive along with the Windows installation. If you have chosen to install the operating system on a different partition or disk, select it using the appropriate drop-down menu.
The hard drive or volume on which Windows is installed will be marked with the classic logo placed next to the drive letter
Step 3. Select the "Temporary files" checkbox
In this way all the files in the "Temp" folder linked to your user account will be marked for deletion. In order to locate and select it, you may need to scroll down the "Files to delete" list. The size of the files in the "Temp" folder will be shown in the right part of the box.
Step 4. Select the "Temporary Internet Files" checkbox
This will clear all files in the Internet Explorer cache. This operation has no effect on the browser configuration settings. In this case, only the Internet Explorer cache will be emptied and not that of any other Internet browser present in the system.
Step 5. Select other file types
If you wish, you can select the other check buttons for other unused or unnecessary file types on your computer's hard drive. The "Disk Cleanup" program provides a brief description of each type of file that can be selected from the list.
Step 6. Press the button
OK to start deleting all the chosen files.
To confirm your action press the Delete file button. The time required for deletion can vary from a few moments to a few minutes depending on the size of the data involved.
Method 2 of 2: Manual deletion
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu and type the command
% temp%.
Press the Enter key to go directly to your "Temp" folder.
Step 2. Press the hotkey combination
Ctrl + A to select all files in the folder.
Alternatively, you can draw a selection area or choose to select only some of the files in the list.
Step 3. Press the key combination
⇧ Shift + Del.
This will ask you to confirm that you want to permanently delete the selected files. Alternatively, you can click the file selection with the right mouse button while holding the ⇧ Shift key on your keyboard and choose the "Delete" option from the context menu that appears.
Step 4. Delete Internet Explorer Temporary Files
Internet Explorer, like all internet browsers, stores a series of files inside the computer to make the user's navigation more fluid and faster. If you wish, you can also manually delete this data:
- Start Internet Explorer;
- Access the "Tools" menu or click the gear icon, then choose "Internet Options";
- Press the Settings button located within the General tab;
- Press the View Files button to access the folder where Internet Explorer temporary files are stored.
- At this point select all the elements you want to delete and move them to the trash by pressing the "Delete" key or delete them permanently by pressing the key combination ⇧ Shift + Del.
