How to Find & Recover Temporary Files?

Part 1. What do you mean by temporary file?

Temporary files are created by engaged apps or tasks and aid in a better permanence of tools by facilitating data access and transfer. In brief, temporary files are only useful for a short period of time and don’t have to save permanent data.

In computing, a temporary folder or directory holds several temporary files. During the boot process or at regular intervals, many OS and software will automatically delete the contents of this directory, but leave the directory itself intact.

How to find temporary files on Windows 10/11?

Are you wondering where does Windows store temporary files? You can go to Windows Temp Folder or Files Location to access temporary files.

When you’re clicking the C:\Windows\Temp folder, if you receive a message like this: 

You don’t currently have permission to access this folder. Please click Continue to go on. 

Likewise, you can also go to the C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Temp to find temporary files.  

Part 2. How to delete temporary files on Windows 10/11?

Are you bothered by how do I delete temporary files in Windows 10/11? Please don’t worry because there’re two feasible fixes for your reference to removing temporary files.

Solution 1. Delete temporary files using CMD

CMD is a powerful utility, which can delete temporary files. Alternatively, you can also recover files using CMD. These steps depict how to delete temporary files.

Step 1. Press “Win + R” to open the Run box, then type “temp” in the window. You can hit “Enter” or press “OK” to open it.

Step 2. Click Continue to get access your temporary folder when you’re prompted.

Step 3. After seeing all the temporary files, click your unwanted temporary item. Then press “Ctrl + D” to remove it from this directory.

You can also press “Ctrl + A” to select all the temporary items. But you’re not permitted to delete temporary files/programs which are running.

Solution 2. Delete temporary files via Disk Cleanup

There’s another way for you to delete temporary files via Disk Cleanup. Please refer to the following steps.

Step 1. Press “Win + E” to open Windows File Explorer. Then click This PC on the left and select the local hard disk C.

Step 2. Right-click on your C drive and select the “Properties” option. Then click the “Disk Cleanup” button.

Step 3. Click “Clean up system files” to delete temporary files of the C drive.

Step 4. Under Files to delete, tick the boxes next to the temp files you want to delete. Then click the “OK” button.

Part 3. How to recover files from Temp folder with ease?

Since you’ve learned how to find temporary files and how to delete temporary files via the above two parts, this part aims to help you recover files from temp folder.

In theory, it’s possible for you to restore your temporary files from backups. In practice, many users might not back up temporary files. Thus, there’s no better way than utilizing professional data recovery software to recover files from temp folder.

Perhaps MyRecover is right for you because it has established a good reputation among users. Let’s get an overview of its powerful features and friendly design.   

★Tips:   

Recover the deleted/lost Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, photos, videos, audio, folders, and other 200+ types of data from HDD, USB, SD cards, and other portable devices.

Retain the recovered files based on their original paths, filenames, and format.   

During Quick Scan and Deep Scan, enter filenames in the search bar to locate your desired files or wait to find all the deleted and other lost files on your computers.  

Support NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, and ReFS file systems.

Download MyRecover on your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server computers!

Step 1. Run MyRecover on your PC. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. Quickly locate your needed files by Name, Date, Type, Size, or Path. You can also wait to view all the deleted and other missing files after Quick Scan and Deep Scan.

Step 3. Go to the Deleted Files/Other Missing Files folder, and click “Recover x files” to get your selected temp files back. After recovery, please save them in a new location.

Bonus tips: What is the best method to prevent data loss?

Data loss is devastating for individuals and businesses. But how to prevent data loss at the source? Undeniably, only regular backups are the best data loss prevention measure.

If you prefer to back up files, folders, partitions, or the system, it’s inevitable for you to utilize corresponding Windows features to back up the respective items.

So why not consider this free backup software for Windows, AOMEI Backupper? This utility makes it possible for non-tech users to back up files, folders, partitions, disks, or the system with easy steps. In this case, let’s perform how to make a File Backup via it.

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Backupper on your Windows computer.

Step 2. Under the Backup tab, select the “File Backup” option.

Step 3. Click Add Folder or Add File > This PC > Devices and drivers to add your needed files. Please set a saved path as you prefer.

Step 4. Click “Start Backup” and wait patiently. After the backup process, you can click “Finish” to exit the window.