Windows Storage Files; Can't Delete?

Silverhand92 · 10 Jan 2016

Hey guys, Windows 8.1 veteran here. I'm also a good-standing member on EightForums. I always try to post my new topics in the appropriate section, but if I'm wrong, you can move me.

Anyway... On to the issue.

For Christmas, I received an ASUS Transformer T100-HA, which is essentially a Windows 10 tablet with a keyboard docking platform. I love it. Not entirely a fan of Windows 10 yet, but it is somewhat growing on me.

In the Windows 10 Settings panel, under the Storage options and the main OS drive, (a built-in 64GB SSD) I have the option to clear out temporary files and other data that is taking up space where it is not needed.

However, when I click the button to delete temporary files, it tells me to wait a moment, then goes back to showing the 16.4GB of occupied space that it had before.

I need help figuring this out.

Any and all assistance is appreciated.

Word Man · 10 Jan 2016

This option (I take it you mean at Settings / System / Storage ) is problematic (or "buggy" if you will) and there is discussion of it in another thread.

Your best bet for now, IMO, is that you go into File Explorer, right click for Properties of C: drive, and run the Disk Cleanup wizard. There's also a "Clean up system files" button that becomes available once it does the initial scan for files to clean up which can give an extended sweep to clean out various system / install / update / error logging / temporary files.

Silverhand92 · 11 Jan 2016

OK, to quote a popular movie.... "You SO totally rock, dude!"

You just solved a problem in minutes that I was literally digging for hours to find an answer for, and unlike me, you got results.

Word Man · 11 Jan 2016

Silverhand92 said:

OK, to quote a popular movie.... "You SO totally rock, dude!"

You just solved a problem in minutes that I was literally digging for hours to find an answer for, and unlike me, you got results.

ood job, Silverhand! I'm glad I could uncover a nugget for you!:)

XTATIC · 06 May 2016

I have the same problem that Silverhand92 initially reported. I've created a image document of screen grabs to show you what I've tried, and what I've managed to do so far. I hope it posts and that it will enlarge enough to where you can read it. Just in case the picture doesn't load for you, here's a basic description of what I've done, and the results (or lack thereof) I've gotten.

Windows Storage Files; Can't Delete?-clean-up.jpg

I am using Win10 btw. I have gone to Settings/Control Panel/Storage/Temporary Files. It says I am using 7.34GB. I click Delete Files, and it tells me it's working on it and check back in a bit. I checked back 5 mins later, no change. 30 mins later, no change, 2 hours later, no change. I let it run overnight and checked it when I got up this morning, still no change.

I then went into File Explorer, clicked OS (C:), and Properties, and it tells me I am using 905GB of 911GB, and have 5.50GB Free space. When I click Disk Cleanup, the box opens up saying that I have 46.9MB Temporary Internet Files, and then another item below that that says 4.10 Temporary files. Everything else "Downloaded Program Files", "Delivery Optimization Files", and Recycle Bin are at 0% and the whole thing obviously comes to 53.7MB I can free up.

First of all, why such a big difference in the reported from the Temporary Files between the Temp files in the settings menu and the cleanup menu? Why won't trying to delete Temp files through the Control Panel (Settings menu) do ANYTHING? And why does the Disk Cleanup report say it would clean up such a small amount of space?

Any help would be appreciated. I am not in favor of downloading some other Cleanup Program however to delete files that Windows should be capable of cleaning up or deleting itself, as was suggested on another thread.

Thanks

Word Man · 06 May 2016

XTATIC said:

I have the same problem that Silverhand92 initially reported. I've created a image document of screen grabs to show you what I've tried, and what I've managed to do so far. I hope it posts and that it will enlarge enough to where you can read it. Just in case the picture doesn't load for you, here's a basic description of what I've done, and the results (or lack thereof) I've gotten.<SNIP>
I am using Win10 btw. I have gone to Settings/Control Panel/Storage/Temporary Files. It says I am using 7.34GB. I click Delete Files, and it tells me it's working on it and check back in a bit. I checked back 5 mins later, no change. 30 mins later, no change, 2 hours later, no change. I let it run overnight and checked it when I got up this morning, still no change.

I then went into File Explorer, clicked OS (C:), and Properties, and it tells me I am using 905GB of 911GB, and have 5.50GB Free space. When I click Disk Cleanup, the box opens up saying that I have 46.9MB Temporary Internet Files, and then another item below that that says 4.10 Temporary files. Everything else "Downloaded Program Files", "Delivery Optimization Files", and Recycle Bin are at 0% and the whole thing obviously comes to 53.7MB I can free up.

First of all, why such a big difference in the reported from the Temporary Files between the Temp files in the settings menu and the cleanup menu? Why won't trying to delete Temp files through the Control Panel (Settings menu) do ANYTHING? And why does the Disk Cleanup report say it would clean up such a small amount of space?

Any help would be appreciated. I am not in favor of downloading some other Cleanup Program however to delete files that Windows should be capable of cleaning up or deleting itself, as was suggested on another thread.

Thanks

Welcome to TenForums, XTATIC. :)

1) Settings / System / Storage/Temporary Files route can be problematic. I think the basic answer to what you're asking, including "why the big difference" is that "Temporary Files" found under Settings / System / Storage is defined some other way and is not the same as "Temporary Internet Files" in disk cleanup.

2) Did you proceed with clicking the "Cleanup System Files" button shown in your screenshot? If so, what was the result? It will then scan for other categories of files that can be taking up quite a bit of space.

3) Ultimately, if 2) above doesn't give you satisfaction, I would recommend you try either one of the following 2 free programs (which are often recommended here at TenForums, I have no stake in or relationship with the authors) to examine your disk and narrow down where the data is:

P.S. - I'm assuming that your System Protection is not set to store an "overkill" volume of restore points on your system - check the size of your hidden "System Volume Information" folder in the root of your system disk to find an indication of that.