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Temporary files, usually stored in the OS of your device under the pathway C:\Users\AppData\Local\Temp are files created by your device to store temporary data required by certain programs.
These files have a .tmp or .temp extension, and if you vet thoroughly, you’ll come to realize that these temporary files consume a lot of storage.
This, in turn, slows down the system’s performance drastically and makes it sluggish. So, what do you do about these temporary files located in the folder AppData\Local\Temp?
We’ll discuss this further in the post, but first, let’s understand why there are temporary files on your computer in the first place.
Why are there temporary files on my computer?
Temporary files are made by the computer automatically to store temporary data for programs. If you use files with .iso or .rar extension, you’ll notice that the OS makes a temporary file to store the extracted files while you’re still using them. Once you have stopped using the file, the computer removes these temporary files automatically.
So, in gist, these temporary files help the system run properly while helping the OS store information till the time a new file is being made by the system.
For example, if you use Word and you’re working on something, but there is a sudden power cut, you may lose the original file if you had not saved it yet. However, the program constantly keeps saving your progress in a temporary file, from which you can later recover your work.
Once you’ve recovered your work, the computer will delete this temporary file made as a backup. Therefore, temporary files also offer protection against losing important data if you haven’t saved them yet.
However, here’s the catch: although windows do delete temporary files automatically, there’s still a lot of remnants still left in the system that takes up a lot of space. So, is it safe to delete them?
Is It Safe To Delete AppData\Local\Temp?
Yes, it is safe to delete AppData\Local\Temp files from your computer without making your system vulnerable to risks. In fact, we suggest occasional cleanup of AppData\Local\Temp to avoid your PC from running slow.
Although most of the temporary files in AppData\Local\Temp are deleted automatically by the OS itself, you can do the job manually if you have recently been realizing your PC is lagging in performance owing to storage issues.
Since AppData\Local\Temp consists of temporary files, DataBase, obsolete backups, and old projects, it is absolutely safe to delete it from your system without causing any harm to it.
How To Delete Temporary Files from AppData\Local\Temp?
It is easy to clean up AppData\Local\Temp manually. Here are the steps to delete it:
Step 1: Go to the Search Box and type ‘Run’ to access Run from the multiple options that pull up. You can also hit Win+R simultaneously to access the Run Dialog Box.
Step 2: Enter the following command: [username]\AppData\Local\Temp
In the username space, enter the username of the profile you want to delete temporary files from.
Step 3: Either select multiple files (which we do not recommend) or select the complete AppData\Local\Temp folder to delete it. If there is a temporary file currently in use by the OS, it will prompt you to try again, skip that file, or cancel the process. Skip the file and do it whenever prompted.
Step 4: Locate the recycle bin and empty it from the junk of temporary files you just deleted. This will permanently remove all data from the AppData\Local\Temp until it starts gathering in the folder again.
When do you need to delete AppData\Local\Temp?
We’ll say this straight: Anytime! There’s no time restriction on when you can delete AppData\Local\Temp, so whenever you want to delete the folder, just do it (no puns extended). If there is a temporary file that is currently in use by a program on the OS, you will be unable to delete it anyway (you will be prompted by your OS to either ‘skip’ or ‘try again’ or ‘cancel’).
Thus, it is safe to conclude that the rest of the temporary files in AppData\Local\Temp are obsolete, and you can delete them whenever you want.
Ideally, we recommend deleting AppData\Local\Temp files at least once a week to ensure the efficiency of the system.
Why do you need to delete AppData\Local\Temp?
There are multiple upsides to deleting AppData\Local\Temp files, the primary plus side being an increase in PC performance. Besides, AppData\Local\Temp takes an immense amount of space on the PC, which could otherwise have been used for storage of other more important data.
Since AppData\Local\Temp is also used for backup purposes, it can contain important private information such as passwords, usernames, etc. Deleting AppData\Local\Temp means you are ensuring that an outsider (or some application or program) is unable to access this sensitive information.
Moreover, temporary internet files, also located in AppData\Local\Temp, comprise payment credentials and important bank information. Thus, it is wise to delete these files since you do not need them.
