Where else does windows 10 store files?

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  1. Posts : 6
    w10
       #1

    Where else does windows 10 store files?


    Hello.. I am trying to find out where else windows stores temp files/unused files.

    For example.. when i open an excel spread, it saves it in the location i save it and also like 3-4 other locations such as temp, %temp%, %appdata% and Microsoft folders.

    My question is basically...
    1) How can i stop windows from storing multiple copies of my same file?|
    2) Where else does windows store random copies of files for applications/files i have opened.
    3) Is it possible to disable all types of auto saving, temp storage, backups etc??

    Thanks in advance guys/girls.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Well, I know in C>Windows>Software Distribution>Download it stores update files.

    I always delete them.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #3

    I have a batch script i use to clean temporary files.

    Code:
    :: Batch Script Created by FreeBooter
    
    @Echo Off & Cls
    
    Call :IsAdmin
    
    Mode CON LINES=5 COLS=50 & Color 0E
    
    Echo                   PLEASE WAIT... 
    
    :: This command deletes the oldest shadow copy on drive C
    vssadmin delete shadows /for=c: /oldest 2>&1 >nul
    
    ::Creating System Restore point 
    Wmic.exe /Namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call CreateRestorePoint "Before Deleting Temp Files", 100, 12 
    
    
    ::    CLEANUP STAGE
    Reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Files"  /v LastAccess /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Active Setup Temp Folders" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\BranchCache" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Downloaded Program Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Internet Cache Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Memory Dump Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Old ChkDsk Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Previous Installations" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Recycle Bin" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Service Pack Cleanup" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Setup Log Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\System error memory dump files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\System error minidump files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Setup Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Thumbnail Cache" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Update Cleanup" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Upgrade Discarded Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\User file versions" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows Defender" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows Error Reporting Archive Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows Error Reporting Queue Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows Error Reporting System Archive Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows Error Reporting System Queue Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows ESD installation files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    Reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Windows Upgrade Log Files" /v "StateFlags0064" /t REG_DWORD /d "2" /f 2>&1 >nul
    
    
    
    Cls & Mode CON  LINES=10 COLS=50 & Color 1E & Title Created by FREEBOOTER
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo. 
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo. 
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo           ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» 
    Echo           º DELETING TEMPORARY FILES º  
    Echo           ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
    Echo.
    Taskkill  /IM Explorer.exe /f > nul
    CLEANMGR /sagerun:64 
    
    
    
    Cls
    :: Clear Temporary Folder.
    Cd %TMP% 
    For /f "tokens=*" %%a in ('Dir /b %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp') do (
    Echo Y | Rd /s /q "%%a" 2>NUL 1>NUL 
    If Exist "%%a" Echo Y | Del /a /f "%%a" 2>NUL 1>NUL 
    )
    Echo. 
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo. 
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo. 
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo.
    Echo. 
    Echo        FINNISH DELETING TEMPORARY FILES 
    Echo.
    Echo.
    ping -n 6 localhost >Nul
    
    
    
    Cls & Mode CON  LINES=12 COLS=80 & Color 1E & Title Created by FREEBOOTER
    
    Cd  %SystemRoot%\System32
    
    Net Start TrustedInstaller 2>NUL 1>NUL
    
    Reg QUERY "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v ProductName | find /i "Windows 8" >Nul
    If Not Errorlevel 1 (
    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
    ) Else (
    Reg QUERY "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v ProductName | find /i "Windows 8.1" >Nul
    If Not Errorlevel 1 (
    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
    ) Else (
    Reg QUERY "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v ProductName | find /i "Windows 10" >Nul
    If Not Errorlevel 1 (
    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
    ) Else (	
    Goto :Event_Log
    ) ) )  
    
    Ping -n 4 localhost >Nul
    
    Goto :Event_Log
    
    
    
    
    :IsAdmin
    Reg query "HKU\S-1-5-19\Environment"
    If Not %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
     Cls & Mode CON  LINES=5 COLS=48 & Color 0C & Title - WARNING -
     Echo.
     Echo. 
     Echo  YOU MUST HAVE ADMINISTRATOR RIGHTS TO CONTINUE 
     Pause >Nul & Exit
    )
    Cls
    Goto :EOF
    
    
    
    :Event_Log
    Cls
    Mode CON  LINES=33 COLS=85
    For /F "tokens=*" %%G in ('wevtutil.exe el') DO (call :do_clear "%%G")
    Echo.
    Echo                    Event Logs Have Been Cleared!
    Start Explorer.exe
    Ping -n 5 127.0.0.1 >Nul
    Goto :eof
    :do_clear
    Echo clearing %1
    wevtutil.exe cl %1
    Goto :eof
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6
    w10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the replies guys.
    @FreeBooter - Basically what I am trying to setup is a RAMDisk that stores literally every temp file/auto save or anything that i don't personally save. All the files you listed there sounds about right what I'm after however I want to add them to a RAMDisk so they are (permanently) deleted every reboot as your method wouldn't permanently remove them.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #5
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6
    w10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Yes yes i know... I have the RAMDisk setup and i have temp and %temp% set to store files there... But i know for certain that windows stores stuff in a bunch of other locations like your batch file has. My question is it possible to make it so all these files get stored on the RAMDisk from the get-go so that they are automatically wiped each reboot. Thanks man appreciate the help!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    It depends on the software you are using and which files you want to store in RAM. For example Windows uses a pagefile is a reserved portion of a hard disk that is used as an extension of random access memory (RAM) for data in RAM that hasn't been used recently. You can disable pagefile but some programs may not work correctly.

    Temp files are exactly what they probably sound like: files that your operating system only needed to exist temporarily while in use, but are now just wasting space. Most temporary files are stored in what's the called the Windows Temp folder. My batch script deletes temporary files in Temp folder.

    I can't list where all temporary files store by Windows 10.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6
    w10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I have an app called "whatschanged", which basically takes a snapshot before. Then you do a task on your PC and then take an after snapshot and it shows you every file and registry entry that has been changed/added. This might be a good solution for me determining what i want to put on the RAMDisk. But this still leaves me with a dilemma of how do i actually get windows created files to initially and only store themselves on my RAMDisk?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    w10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    It's a tricky one i know. But If i did manage to set up such system it would run really well and require zero manual maintenance. Also it would be a clean computer every single reboot which would be amazing.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6
    w10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    So it appears that opening excel files or opening browser has only added files to appdata local mainly. And also one file in roaming. What would you suggest for dealing with these types of files?"
      My Computer


 

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