How to Recover Files from Temp Folder [3 Methods]

How can I recover my deleted files in the Temp folder?

Have you used Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., and abruptly the system crashed or shut down? It happened all of a sudden, making no time for you to save your modified content.

To recover unsaved Excel files/PowerPoint files, etc., except for turning to the AutoSave feature, you could also try to recover files from temp folder, which won't be that helpful but worth trying.

Then what are temp files?

▶ What is a temp file?

A temp file, aka a temporary file, is created by certain apps or the system to temporarily store the info of the apps or programs you use.

You could find some characteristics in the name of the temp files, which vary from the application.

Windows OS usually generates a temporary file with a ".tmp" extension, while some Microsoft apps, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., will create a temp file named with a "$" and "~" symbol.

Some apps don't delete temp files regularly, which may accelerate daily and occupies a large proportion of users' storage space. Some Microsoft Excel users will wonder where does Excel save temp files; actually, Excel also has a temp folder. 

Then many users choose to delete them manually to free up some space. But some may have accidentally deleted their useful temp files and are seeking methods to recover deleted temp files.

▶ How do I find temporary files in Windows 10?

Where do temporary files go? How can you access the temp files? At this time, you need to head over to the temporary file directory, where all temp files are stored.

The temp file path in Windows 10/8/7/Vista:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp

Using Windows XP, visit:

Local Settings\Temp

In this folder, you can find all the temp files created by Windows OS or specific utilities, which could be an option for users who have lost files in a short time.

How to recover files from temp folder - 3 Methods

How to recover files from AppData local temp directory? As mentioned above, perhaps users have deleted temp files by mistake; or users pin their hope on the temporary folder to see if their lost files are still there.

With this, there might be two possible circumstances: you need to recover deleted temp files, or you want to recover lost files from temp folder.

▶ Method 1. Restore Temp Files from Recycle Bin

First of all, head over to the Recycle Bin. If you found deleted files not in Recycle Bin, or you have already emptied the Recycle Bin, then they might be permanently gone.

Also, methods like restoring previous versions of files could not help because this feature only stores copies of Libraries, Desktop, Contact, etc.

▶ Method 2. Recover files from temp folder with MyRecover

If you have lost files on the computer and learned that you could recover files from the temp folder, follow the instructions here.

As mentioned in the above parts, you could tap on Win+E to open This PC > input the directory in the path box > press Enter to access the temp folder.

But this method has a limited effect, only storing the temporary files for a short time, and the filename will be modified, and you cannot tell which one you need.

Given that, instead of trying hard to restore files from temp folder, you would better seek help from a professional Windows data recovery tool. With an advanced tool, the data recovery rate will be higher, and the data recovery process will be more straightforward.

MyRecover, embedded with advanced scanning algorithms and techs, scans the hard disk for deleted and missing files from HDD/SSD/USB, etc.; you could also use it to perform SD card recovery.

Easy. It offers an intuitive user interface that applies to all users without expertise. 

Efficient. It supports 200+ types of data, e.g., photos, videos, docs, zip files, etc., meeting your specific demands. 

Comprehensive. It applies to data loss due to deletion, formatting, recycle bin emptying, system crash, etc. 

Compatible. It supports multiple Windows operating systems: Windows 11/10/8/7/Server.

Now download the software to recover deleted and missing files easily.

Step 1. Install and run the software > hover the mouse over the affected drive/partition > click Scan.

Step 2. While scanning, you could input extensions in the search box or use filters to target your files faster.

Step 3. Select the files you need > click Recover x files to get your files back.

If you want to recover deleted temp files, you could also use this tool. Go to the temp folder > select temp files you need > click Recover x files.

In this way, you could recover files from temp folder. What's more, it can retrieve data from formatted hard drive.

▶ Method 3. Restore temp files

Without a tool, it will be challenging to recover permanently deleted files. Here we suggest you utilize a Microsoft official free tool – Windows File Recovery.

It is a command-line application to recover lost or deleted files from healthy/corrupted/formatted hard drives. But please note that it uses commands and offers no graphical user interface, which will be a challenge for ordinary users.

Check for the Windows File Recovery user guide to learn the recovery modes and switches.

Step 1. Go to This PC > right-click on the C drive > click Properties and check the file system.

Step 2. Choose a recovery mode.

Step 3. Select switches to help you specify the scanning range.

Step 4. Go to Microsoft Store > click Get > run the app.

Step 5. Input the command:

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

For instance, input:

winfr C: D: /regular /n *.tmp

You can restore all .tmp files from the C drive to the D drive using this command. When encountering any errors, refer to the Windows File Recovery troubleshooting tutorial.

You could also restore temporary files using a reliable data recovery app if you find it too difficult. Check the following method.

FAQ about temp files

Check out the methods to recover files from temp folder and restore lost standard files in the post. For a high success rate and convenience, it is recommended to rely on an efficient data rescue utility to restore temporary files.

If you still have more questions about temp files, here is the Q&A corner.