Click: How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 7

This updated guide examines Click: How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 7 and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 4:

Showing Hidden Files

1. Close every open program that you can. Programs on your computer use files that are in the Temp folders, so you won't be able to delete some temporary files if they're being used by programs.
2. Open Start. Click the multicolored Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Click the text box. It's at the bottom of the Start window.
4. Type inwindows explorer. Doing so will search your computer for the Windows Explorer app.
5. ClickWindows Explorer. It's the folder-shaped option at the top of the Start window.
6. ClickOrganize. You'll find this tab in the top-left side of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
7. ClickFolder and search options. It's near the middle of the drop-down menu. This prompts a new window to appear.
8. Click theViewtab. This option is at the top of the window.
9. Check the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" circle. It's in the middle of the page.
   • If this option is already checked, your computer is displaying hidden files.
10. ClickApply, then clickOK. Doing so ensures that you can access and open the Temp folder for your apps and Windows itself.

Part 2of 4:

Deleting Temporary App Files

1. ClickMy Computer. It's in the column of options on the left side of the window.
2. Double-click your computer's hard drive. This hard drive-shaped icon is under the "Devices and drives" heading. Your hard drive is usually the drive labeled "C" here.
3. Double-click theUsersfolder. You'll find it near the top of the window.
4. Double-click your user folder. This is the folder with the first few letters of your name (or username if you signed into your computer using an email address).
5. Double-click theAppDatafolder. It's near the top of the window.
6. Double-click theLocalfolder. This folder is at the top of the window.
7. Select theTempfolder. Click the Temp folder, which is near the bottom of the window, to select it.
8. ClickOrganize. This tab is in the upper-left corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
9. ClickProperties. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Clicking it prompts a new window to open.
10. Uncheck the "Read-only" box. You'll find this near the bottom of the window.
11. ClickApply. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
12. ClickOKwhen prompted. This will ensure that everything in the Temp folder is affected by the removal of the "Read-only" protection.
    • You may have to click Continue or Skip , or otherwise verify that you want to remove read-only protection from this folder, before continuing.
13. ClickOK. It's at the bottom of the window. You can now proceed with deleting the Temp folder's contents.
14. Open theTempfolder. Double-click the Temp folder to open it in Windows Explorer.
15. Select all of the folder's files. Click Organize again and then click Select all , or press theCtrlandAkeys at the same time.
16. Delete the files. Press your computer'sDelkey, or click Organize and then click Delete in the drop-down menu. Doing so will move the Temp folder's contents into the Recycle Bin.
    • You'll need to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove these files from your computer.
    • There may be a couple of system files in the Temp folder. If so, you won't be able to delete these. They'll only take up a few kilobytes of space.

Part 3of 4:

Deleting Windows Temporary Files

1. Click theMy Computertab again. It's on the left side of the Windows Explorer window.
2. Double-click your hard drive. This will re-open your hard drive's folder.
3. Double-click theWindowsfolder. It's usually near the middle of this window.
4. Scroll down and select theTempfolder. You'll find this near the bottom of the window.
5. Remove theTempfolder's read protection. To do so:
   • Click Organize
   • Click Properties
   • Uncheck the "Read-only" box.
   • Click Apply
   • Click OK when prompted.
   • Click OK
6. Open theTempfolder. Double-click the folder to do so.
7. Select all of the folder's files. Click Organize again and then click Select all , or press theCtrlandAkeys at the same time.
8. Delete the files. Press your computer'sDelkey, or click Organize and then click Delete in the drop-down menu. Doing so will move the Temp folder's contents into the Recycle Bin.
   • You'll need to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove these files from your computer.

Part 4of 4:

Deleting Internet Explorer Temporary Files

1. Open Start. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
2. Click the text box. It's the search field at the bottom of the Start window.
3. Type ininternet options. Doing so will search your computer for the Internet Options program.
4. ClickInternet Options. It's the globe-shaped icon at the top of the Start window.
5. Click theGeneraltab. This option is in the top-left side of the Internet Options window.
6. ClickSettings. It's in the lower-right corner of the "Browsing history" section of the window.
7. ClickView files. This option is near the bottom-right corner of the window.
8. Select the files. Click Organize again and then click Select all , or press theCtrlandAkeys at the same time.
9. Delete the files. Press your computer'sDelkey, or click Organize and then click Delete in the drop-down menu. Doing so will send the Internet cache folder's files to the Recycle Bin.
   • You'll need to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove these files from your computer.