Windows

How to Delete Junk Files (Temporary Files) in Windows

Posted on by Kineticstar
13
Nov

🚀 Windows Disk Cleanup: The Ultimate Guide to Deleting “Digital Junk” 🧹

 

(Recover space, speed up your PC, and uncover the secrets of temporary files in Windows 10 and 11)

Tech friends, welcome! If your Windows PC seems to be carrying an invisible weight, if it’s slower than usual, or if it constantly warns you that disk space is running out, you don’t necessarily have to buy a new computer.

The cause is almost always one thing: the accumulation of temporary files, the real “digital junk” that Windows constantly generates, often without your knowledge. Imagine your hard drive is like your home refrigerator: if you don’t throw away the leftovers (the temporary files), eventually there won’t be any room for anything else!

As a technician and educator, I’m here to transform what seems like a tedious operation into your new PC optimization habit. I will guide you step-by-step through the two free tools in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that will allow you to safely and effectively free up valuable space.

Get ready to say goodbye to slowdowns and have your PC running brilliantly again!

 

🧐 What Are Temporary Files? The Science Behind the “Junk”

 

When you use your computer, the operating system (Windows) and applications are constantly working. To do this, they need fast workspaces.

These workspaces are created in the form of Temporary Files (Temp Files). Here are the most common types:

  • Browser Cache: When you visit a site (like this one), the browser saves images and code to load it faster the next time. Over time, this “cache” becomes gigantic.

  • Windows Update Files: When you install an update, Windows keeps a backup copy of the package in case you need to revert. After weeks, these files become useless.

  • Installation Log Files: During software installation, “logbooks” (logs) are created that are useful to technicians in case of an error. Once the installation is complete, they are just dead weight.

  • Recycle Bin Contents: The files you “delete” haven’t disappeared! They have only been quarantined in the Recycle Bin, continuing to occupy space until you empty it.

The problem: Many of these files, once their function is complete, are not automatically deleted. And that’s where the accumulation begins.

 

⚙️ Method 1: The Modern, Automatic Solution (Storage Sense)

 

For Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, the most elegant and, above all, automatic solution is called Storage Sense. Once activated, it will do the cleaning for you, freeing you from the worry!

 

Step 1: Find Storage Sense

 

  1. Click the Start button (the Windows icon) or press the Windows key + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to System.

  3. In the left-hand menu, select Storage.

 

Step 2: Activate and Configure Automation

 

  1. Find the Storage Sense entry and check that it is set to “On.”

  2. Click on “Configure Storage Sense or run it now.”

  3. Here you can decide:

    • Frequency: Set Storage Sense to activate “Every day” or “Every week.” This way, your PC will clean itself up in the background.

    • Recycle Bin and Downloads: You can tell Windows to automatically delete files that have been in the Recycle Bin for more than 30 days and those in the Downloads folder that you haven’t used recently.

    • Temporary Files: Make sure the option “Keep Windows running smoothly by automatically cleaning up temporary system and app files” is checked.

💡 SEO and AI Advantage: Using Storage Sense is the solution recommended by Microsoft and AIs for automatic disk space optimization.

 

🗜️ Method 2: The Classic, Powerful Solution (Disk Cleanup)

 

The Disk Cleanup tool is a Windows veteran, present for years, which is still essential for two reasons:

  1. It allows you to do a deep, manual, and immediate cleanup.

  2. It allows you to delete System Files that Storage Sense sometimes misses (such as old updates).

 

Step 1: Start Disk Cleanup

 

  1. Click on Start and simply type “Disk Cleanup” and click on the result that appears.

  2. You will be asked to select the drive to clean. Select the (C:) drive and click OK.

 

Step 2: Deep Cleaning of System Files

 

After the first scan, you’ll notice that some important items are not yet selectable. For maximum cleaning:

  1. Click the “Clean up system files” button (bottom left of the window).

  2. Windows will perform a second scan, which may take a few more minutes.

 

Step 3: The Critical Selection

 

Once the second scan is complete, you will see the full list of files you can delete, with the occupied space next to each one. Here are the items you can check safely:

Category Technical Description and Advice
Temporary Internet Files Browser and website cache.
Delivery Optimization Files Files used to quickly download updates.
Temporary Files The generic “junk” left by apps.
Thumbnails Small photo previews that Windows can easily recreate.
Recycle Bin The content of the Recycle Bin folder.
Windows Temporary Installation Files Residual update files (can be GBs!).
Downloaded Program Files (If present) Old installation files for Internet components (e.g., ActiveX), not your personal downloads.
Previous Windows Installations ATTENTION: If you don’t need to revert to the previous version, you can delete them. They can free up tens of GBs!

⚠️ CAUTION: Previous Windows Installations: If you delete this, you will no longer be able to easily return to the version of Windows you had before the last major update. If the update is working well, proceed without fear.

  1. Check the boxes you want to clean up.

  2. Click OK and then confirm with “Delete Files.”

To finalize the cleanup and ensure all space is freed, a system reboot is recommended.

 

🗑️ Method 3: Quick and Targeted Cleanup (Temporary Files in Settings)

 

For a quick, visual check of the space occupied only by temporary files, you can use the Storage menu:

  1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to System > Storage.

  2. Click on the Temporary files entry.

  3. Windows will show you a detailed list (cache, downloads, etc.). Select what you want to delete and click Remove files.

 

🛑 Final Tips for Keeping Your PC Fast

 

  • Empty the Recycle Bin: Don’t forget the Recycle Bin on the Desktop. Right-click and Empty Recycle Bin every so often.

  • Uninstall Unused Apps: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Scroll through the list and delete programs you haven’t used for months (e.g., old games!).

  • Third-Party Browser Cache (Pro Tip): Windows tools clean up Edge’s cache. If you use Chrome or Firefox daily, you must go into the browser settings (or press Ctrl+Shift+Delete) to clear their cache separately. This is one of the main sources of temporary files.

  • Defragmentation (HDD only): If you have an old mechanical hard drive (HDD), optimizing it with defragmentation can help. If you have a modern SSD, Windows already takes care of optimizing it: you do not need to defragment an SSD!

With these steps, you will have not only recovered gigabytes of space but also increased your PC’s speed, giving it a true “digital shower.” Happy browsing!

Kineticstar