Deleting files from %temp% does not uninstall installed programs, games, or delete normal documents. %temp% is a temporary files folder, and Windows programs commonly store temporary information there. The documented guidance says temporary files that are no longer needed can be deleted, and some files may not delete because they are currently in use.
What to expect:
- Open Run with Windows + R.
- Type
%temp%and press Enter. - In that folder, select the files and delete them.
- If some files cannot be deleted, skip them. That is normal because they are in use.
- Empty the Recycle Bin afterward to actually reclaim the space.
Important cautions:
- Deleting
%temp%files is different from uninstalling apps. It does not remove installed games or programs. - Files in use may be needed by currently running apps, so Windows may block deletion of those files.
- If storage still does not come back, also check C:\Windows\Temp and delete what Windows allows there. Some files in that folder may also be in use.
- In Settings > System > Storage, review Temporary files carefully. Items like Downloads and Previous Windows installation(s) need caution:
- Downloads may contain personal files.
- Previous Windows installation(s) removes the ability to roll back to a previous Windows version.
If the concern is only %temp%, deleting everything Windows allows there is generally safe for freeing space.
References:
- %TEMP% folder that includes the logon session ID is deleted unexpectedly
- cleanmgr
- Delete a file
- In Settings → Storage, under C:/ → Temporary files, can all of these items be deleted? Which folders are these items stored in? - Microsoft Q&A
- Disk space problem - Microsoft Q&A
- After deleting temporary files, my storage says they are still there... - Microsoft Q&A