How to Remove Windows Temporary Files with Easy System Utility

Windows and installed programs create temporary files while updates are installed, applications are opened and everyday tasks are completed. These files are often only needed for a short time, but some remain on the computer after they have served their purpose.

Easy System Utility can scan common temporary file locations in Windows 10 and Windows 11, show how much data has been found and remove the selected files when you are ready.

This guide explains how to clear Windows temporary files using the standard Clean tool and when you may want to use Deep Clean for a wider search.

What are Windows temporary files?

See also: How to Clean Your PC Automatically When Windows Starts Article

Temporary files are created while Windows or another program is carrying out a task.

They may be used while:

• Installing or updating software
• Loading application data
• Processing documents or images
• Creating crash reports
• Downloading Windows updates
• Displaying image thumbnails
• Running games and other programs

Many temporary files are removed automatically when they are no longer needed. Others can remain behind because a program closed unexpectedly, an update finished without removing its working files or Windows kept the data for later use.

Over time, these files can take up storage space, particularly on computers with smaller system drives.

Are temporary files safe to delete?

Many temporary files can be removed once the program or Windows process that created them has finished.

However, not every file with a temporary-looking name is automatically unnecessary. A running application may still be using it, or a program may store recovery data inside a temporary folder.

Easy System Utility checks known Windows cleaning locations through the standard Clean section. You can also run an analysis before deleting anything.

For the best results:

1. Save any open work.
2. Close programs you are not using.
3. Run Analyze before cleaning.
4. Review your selected categories.
5. Only use custom locations or Deep Clean when you understand what is being selected.

Files that are currently required by Windows or another running program may be skipped rather than removed.

Open the Windows cleaning tools

See also: How Automatic Cleaning Works in Easy System Utility PRO Article

Open Easy System Utility and select Clean from the menu on the left.

Make sure the Windows cleaning list is displayed. If the Software list is currently open, select the Windows button underneath the list.

The Windows section contains several cleanup categories, including Temporary Files.

Depending on your version of Easy System Utility, you may also see related options such as:

• Crash Dump Files
• Delivery Optimisation Files
• DirectX Shader Cache
• Downloaded Program Files
• Recycle Bin
• Thumbnail Cache
• Windows Error Report Archive
• Windows Log Files

These are separate categories, so selecting Temporary Files does not automatically select every other type of Windows data.

Select Temporary Files

Tick Temporary Files in the Windows cleaning list.

You can leave the other categories unticked when you only want to scan temporary file locations.

Alternatively, you can select other suitable categories at the same time if you are carrying out a broader Windows disk cleanup.

Before cleaning, check that you have not accidentally selected anything you want to keep, particularly:

• Recycle Bin contents
• Clipboard data
• Recent file records
• Custom locations

Easy System Utility only checks the categories you select.

Analyse Windows temporary files

See also: How to Save Cleaning Selections in Easy System Utility Article

Select Analyze to scan the selected temporary file locations.

The analysis does not delete any files. It checks the selected locations and calculates how much removable data has been found.

Leave Easy System Utility open while the scan is running.

The time required depends on the amount of data stored, the speed of the drive and whether Easy System Utility can access all the selected locations.

Once the analysis has finished, review the amount of temporary data found before continuing.

Remove the temporary files

When you are happy with the selection, click Clean.

Easy System Utility will attempt to remove the temporary files found during the analysis.

Some files may be skipped because they are:

• Currently being used by Windows
• Open inside another program
• Protected by administrator permissions
• Being scanned by security software
• Changed or removed after the analysis finished

This is normal and does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the cleaner.

After the cleanup finishes, Easy System Utility will show the result.

Close programs before cleaning temporary files

See also: How to Include a Custom Folder in Easy System Utility Cleaning Article

Programs can keep temporary files open while they are running.

Before starting the cleanup, close applications such as:

• Web browsers
• Game launchers
• Image or video editors
• Office programs
• Messaging applications
• Installers and update tools

Save any open documents before closing the programs.

Windows itself will continue using some temporary files in the background. Easy System Utility should leave files alone when they cannot be removed safely because they are locked.

Run Easy System Utility as an administrator

Some Windows temporary files are stored in protected locations that standard programs cannot fully access.

To restart Easy System Utility with administrator permission:

1. Select Start ESU as administrator from the left-hand menu.
2. Approve the Windows User Account Control prompt.
3. Open the Clean section again.
4. Select Temporary Files.
5. Run the analysis and cleanup.

Administrator permission can help Easy System Utility access more of the selected Windows locations.

It will not force Windows to release files that are actively in use, so a small number may still remain.

What is the difference between temporary files and browser cache?

Windows temporary files and browser cache files are cleaned from different sections of Easy System Utility.

The Temporary Files option in the Windows list focuses on temporary data stored in Windows locations.

Browser caches are found under the Software section and can include data from supported browsers such as:

• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Brave

Clearing a browser cache removes locally stored website resources, such as images and page files. It does not necessarily remove the same data as the Windows Temporary Files option.

You can clean both during the same session by selecting the required options in the Windows and Software lists.

Be careful with browser login and session selections because they can sign you out or affect previously open tabs.

What is the difference between Temporary Files and Deep Clean?

The standard Temporary Files option checks known Windows temporary file locations.

Deep Clean searches through a selected drive for files that match particular extensions, including:

• .tmp
• .temp
• .log
• .dmp
• .mdmp
• .chk
• .wer
• .bak
• .old

Deep Clean can find files outside the normal Windows temporary folders. However, it may also find files created by applications, games or other software that are still useful.

For routine maintenance, use the standard Temporary Files selection first.

Use Deep Clean when you want to search more widely and are prepared to review the individual file paths before deleting anything.

How to search for additional temporary files with Deep Clean

To run a wider search:

1. Open Deep Clean from the left-hand menu.
2. Select the drive you want to scan.
3. Tick .tmp and .temp.
4. Select Analyze.
5. Wait for the scan to finish.
6. Review every file path shown in the results.
7. Tick only the files you are comfortable removing.
8. Select Clean.

Do not assume every .tmp or .temp file is unwanted simply because of its extension.

A game or application may use temporary files to store current work, recovery information or data needed during its next launch.

Can custom folders be cleaned as temporary locations?

Easy System Utility allows you to add your own folders through Include Locations.

This can be useful when a program regularly leaves disposable files in a folder that is not covered by the standard cleaner.

To add a folder:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Include Locations.
3. Browse to the folder you want to include.
4. Save the location.
5. Return to Clean.
6. Tick Custom Locations.
7. Select Analyze before cleaning.

Only add a folder when you are certain its contents can be removed.

Easy System Utility cannot determine whether files inside a custom location are personal documents or disposable data. Avoid adding broad locations such as Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures or Videos.

Protecting a temporary folder from cleaning

Some programs store important working files inside folders that appear temporary.

You can protect a folder by adding it to Exclude Locations:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Exclude Locations.
3. Browse to the folder you want Easy System Utility to skip.
4. Save the exclusion.

Excluded folders are useful when an application stores information you want to keep inside an otherwise cleanable location.

Check your exclusions if Easy System Utility appears to be ignoring a particular folder during an analysis.

Why are temporary files created again after cleaning?

Temporary files will begin appearing again as soon as Windows and your programs continue working.

For example:

• Opening a program may create working files
• Browsing the internet creates cached content
• Windows Update creates installation data
• File Explorer creates thumbnail information
• A game may rebuild its shader or launch cache

This does not mean the cleanup failed.

Temporary files are a normal part of using Windows. The purpose of cleaning is to remove older or unnecessary data, not to prevent temporary files from ever being created.

Why were no temporary files found?

Easy System Utility may find little or no temporary data when:

• The computer was cleaned recently
• Windows has already removed the files
• Few temporary files have accumulated
• The relevant locations are empty
• A selected folder is excluded
• Easy System Utility does not have permission to access a protected location

Check that Temporary Files is selected and try running Easy System Utility as an administrator.

If the computer has recently been restarted or cleaned, there may simply be nothing significant to remove.

How often should Windows temporary files be cleaned?

There is no need to clear temporary files continuously.

For many users, running a cleanup every few weeks is enough. You may want to check more often when:

• The Windows drive has limited free space
• You install and remove lots of software
• You regularly use large creative applications
• Programs frequently crash
• You use the computer for gaming
• Windows updates have recently been installed

Analysing first lets you see whether enough data has built up to make the cleanup worthwhile.

Automatically clean temporary files with PRO

Easy System Utility PRO can run your saved cleaning selections automatically.

After selecting Temporary Files and any other categories you want to use, click Save Selections.

You can then open Settings and configure Automatic Cleaning to run:

• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly

PRO users can also enable cleaning when Windows starts.

Make sure your saved selections are correct before turning on automatic cleaning, especially if you have selected browser information or Custom Locations.

For most users, a weekly or monthly schedule is likely to be more appropriate than cleaning every day.

Can clearing temporary files improve performance?

Removing temporary files can free disk space and may help when the Windows drive is becoming full.

A nearly full drive can make it harder for Windows and installed applications to create the working space they need.

However, deleting temporary files is not a guaranteed solution for every slow computer. Performance problems may also be caused by:

• Too many startup programs
• High background CPU usage
• Insufficient memory
• A slow or failing storage drive
• Windows Update activity
• Malware or unwanted software
• Large personal files using most of the drive

If cleaning does not free enough space, use the Finder section in Easy System Utility to locate large files, folders and user profiles.

A simple routine for clearing temporary files

For a normal Windows temporary file cleanup:

1. Save your work and close unnecessary programs.
2. Open Easy System Utility.
3. Select Clean.
4. Open the Windows cleaning list.
5. Tick Temporary Files.
6. Select Analyze.
7. Review the amount found.
8. Click Clean.
9. Run Easy System Utility as an administrator if protected files are being skipped.

The standard cleaner is the best starting point for regular Windows maintenance. Deep Clean and Custom Locations provide additional control when you need to search outside the normal temporary folders.