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Did you know your computer contains some files that store data on a temporary basis? If you have no idea about them, this is nothing to worry about.
All systems and devices generally come with clip tray temporary files that store all the data created by the operating systems temporarily. These files work to ensure that the computer works smoothly.
Though the concept of clip tray temporary files is not new, many users still contemplate if it’s important to get rid of these files on their devices. If this is your first encounter with temporary files and you have no idea about them, this write-up will guide you through the entire process.
However, before moving toward the question of deleting these files, let us first explain the meaning of the clip tray feature and temporary files before you.
What is the Clip Tray Feature?
The Clip Tray feature comes in macOS and other operating systems in the market and allows these OSs to store the selected data, including text, images, and other files on the device’s clipboard.
Using the Clip Tray feature, users will be able to promptly paste the items they have formerly copied or cut on the selected destination, e.g., word page, search bar, etc., without having to search for them all over again.
What Is the Meaning of Temporary Files?
Now that you know what a Clip Tray feature is and how it works, let’s move toward the main point of concern here, i.e., temporary files.
As evident by the name, these are the files used for storing data created by Windows or other Operating systems themselves or by the programs and tasks related to them temporarily.
The temporary files usually work in making the operation/functioning of the computer or other devices smooth while you are running the related programs on them. Another name for temporary files is foo files, and you will see the .temp extension with them.
While using software on your device, for instance, editing software for graphics work or a text-related program, your operating system will create temporary files related to your work in the background.
These temporary files not only work in making your software run smoothly but will also save your data temporarily to provide you with an instant backup if the program shuts down by mistake.
Should You Delete Temporary Files?
One thing about clip tray temporary files that you need to be mindful of is that if you don’t get rid of them for a long time, they will take up much of your device’s storage space.
Though technically, it won’t harm your device much to keep these files but there is no harm in deleting them either.
Another thing about these files is that when the clip tray temporary files get old, i.e., even the temporary files from the past few months or years are stored in your computer, they will ultimately affect the working of your device.
In simple words, temporary files, when stored for a long duration, make the working of your device slow. You will slowly start noticing that your device is lagging even when you are trying to perform simple tasks.
If you are contemplating the decision of whether you should delete the temporary files from your device or not, we will always recommend you get rid of them.
Also, if the fact that perhaps deleting these files would end up removing the valuable data from your computer too is stopping you from removing the clip tray temporary files from your laptop or PC, you don’t need to worry about that.
Deleting the temporary files is completely safe and won’t damage your device in any way.
Why Delete Temporary Files?
At this point, you have your question of whether it’s safe to delete temporary files answered. But to compel you to delete these files permanently from your device, we have listed two reasons below.
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Increasing the Storage Space
As mentioned above, the temporary files, when kept stored in the device for a long time, end up taking up a lot of storage space. If not removed for a significant period of time, these files will take up a considerable portion of your device’s storage space, leaving little room for the necessary files and programs.
Removing the temporary files from your computer that are unimportant and aren’t contributing much to your computer’s smooth functioning will free up storage space. This way, you can store more necessary data and files on your device without having to use external storage devices.
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Boosting the Device’s Performance
Though temporary files’ primary function is making programs run smoothly on your computer, their excessive storage will do the opposite.
When these large temporary files have to be loaded every time a software or program runs on your computer, it will take a lot of time, eventually slowing down your PC.
By deleting these files from your computer permanently, you will be able to boost your device’s performance and prevent lagging.
Methods for Deleting Temporary Files on Windows 10 PC
If you are wondering how to delete temporary files from your Windows 10 PC, our 3 step-by-step methods will help you perform this task without much hassle.
Method #1: Via Disk Cleanup
For the first method, you can remove the temporary files stored on your Windows 10 computer using the Disk Cleanup method.
Here are the steps you need to follow for this:
Step #1: Opening Disk Cleanup on PC
The first thing you need to do is to click the “Search” icon at the bottom and type “disk cleanup” in the search bar. Select the first result from the search results to open the Disk Cleanup app on your PC.
You can also press the “Win + S” key to reach the search bar.
Step #2: Select the Drive for Cleanup
Once you have reached the Disk Cleanup app, you must select the drive you want to clean and remove all the temporary files.
We recommend you choose the drive you use the most as it will have the most significant number of temporary files. Click “OK” to confirm after selecting the drive.
Step #3: Check the Boxes
Click to check all the boxes ahead of the “Temporary Files” and “Temporary Internet Files.” This way, you will be able to check the storage space that will be freed up on removing these temporary files.
Note: Some boxes will already be checked for deletion. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to leave them checked or uncheck them or not to remove them from your PC.
Step #4: Confirm to Delete
Once you are sure of the files you have chosen and the boxes you’ve checked, click the “OK” button for confirmation. Wait till the deletion process finally completes and check your drive storage space to see the vacant space created by this removal.
Method #2: Using Settings
You can also remove the temporary files from your Windows 10 PC using the Settings app by following the steps below.
- Select the “Start” icon on the taskbar at the bottom and choose the “Gear” icon to open “Settings” on your PC.
- Choose the “Computer” icon or the “System” option.
- From the bottom-left of the menu, choose “Storage.”
- Select the drive on your computer where you have installed your Window. If you are unsure about the drive, choose the drive with a “Windows” logo or the one called “This PC.”
- Select the “Temporary Files” folder.
- On the next page, you will be able to find all the temporary files on your PC, including the Recycling Bin files, thumbnails, Downloads, etc.
- Select the files you want to delete or check the boxes before them.
- Hit the “Remove Files” option and wait till the progress bar for deletion finally disappears from the screen.
Method #3: Removing the Temporary Files Manually
If you don’t want to remove all the temporary files from your PC and want to handpick the ones you wish to remove, this method will work best for you.
Here is what you need to do for this:
- Hit the “Win + R” keys on your keyboard to open the Runbox.
- In the bar on the Runbox, type “%temp%” and hit “Enter.”
- A folder containing your computer’s temporary files will open before you.
- You can now click and choose the folders you want to delete.
- Once you have selected the file you want to remove, hit the “Delete” button on your keyboard to get rid of them.
- You can also select all the files using “Ctrl + A” and delete them from your PC.
Note: All the deleted temporary files will move to the “Recycle Bin” folder, and you can restore them if required.
Conclusion – What Are Clip Tray Temporary Files? Should You Delete Them?
In this guide, we have covered all the things you need to know about the clip temporary files. We also cleared all your doubts regarding removing these files from your PC and some methods you can use to delete the temporary files from your computer successfully.
Hopefully, one of these methods will work for you and help you make more storage space for valuable files on your PC. Thanks for reading this write-up!
