How to Delete Temporary Files Using File Explorer
If you’ve ever used Storage Sense (Settings) or Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files, you’ve probably noticed there are still many temporary files remaining after the cleanup
If you want to clean nearly all your temporary files, try using File Explorer.
1. Important: Save anything you’re working on and close all open programs.
2. Press Windows + R to open a Run box.
3. Type %temp% into the Run box and press “Enter”.
4. A File Explorer window will open with a lot of temporary files and folders. Press Ctrl + A to select all the temporary files at once. When all are selected, right-click and choose “Delete”.
IMPORTANT: If you get a warning that certain files can’t be deleted – it’s because they’re in use. If you see this warning, just choose “Skip” to continue.
5. Press the Windows key + R to open another Run box. Type TEMP in the Run box and press “Enter”.
NOTE: You may get a warning that you don’t have permission to access this folder. If you do, just click “Continue”.
6. Press CTRL+A to select all the files and folders in the directory. Once they are all selected, right-click and choose “Delete”.
Again, something to remember – You may get a warning that certain files cannot be deleted. If you see this click “Skip”.
You’re almost done.
7. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and choose “Empty Recycle Bin.”
That’s it. Now you know how to delete almost all of your temporary files using File Explorer.
I tried the above suggestion and it will not let me do this because a remark “You’ll need to provide administrator permission to delete this file”, I tried to continue and/or skip and it was having none of this. I did one at a time for some but when it got to the recycle bin, it started saying that again and would not allow the recycle bin to empty. I thought once I got to this point, it would not be a problem. I still have all the files in the second windows download sitting there not deleting. What do I need to do?