Temporary files removal in Win 10?


  1. Posts : 153
    Windows 10 64-bit
       #1

    Temporary files removal in Win 10?


    Hello, please someone confirm how long normally does the highlighted task (image below) takes? This has been going on for over 90 mins at my end now
    Any easy way to get this done as in directly going to the specific folder and delete the contents?

    Temporary files removal in Win 10?-screenshot_1.png
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    If it's taking a long time I'd suggest you
    a. Check your disk using e.g. HD Tune (Health and Error scan tabs)
    b. If ok, run chkdsk c: /scan from an admin command or powershell prompt.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 153
    Windows 10 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Alright, I will do that.
    Are you able to answer this query- Any easy way to get this done as in directly going to the specific folder and delete the contents?
    Also is it fine to go to run -> %temp% and delete all the files listed in that folder?
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #4

    You can delete all the files in temp but you may find a lot locked as they are in use
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 153
    Windows 10 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Samuria said:
    You can delete all the files in temp but you may find a lot locked as they are in use
    okay, thanks..got you.
    Can I also delete the files stored under C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution ?

    HD Tune reports all ok.
    Temporary files removal in Win 10?-screenshot_1.png
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 15
    Windows 10 pro, build 1903
       #7

    The Windows disk clean-up is ok, but I prefer BleachBit. In it you can decide what all gets cleaned up each time you run it. It has more options the the default program.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #8

    onlytanmoy said:
    Are you able to answer this query- Any easy way to get this done as in directly going to the specific folder and delete the contents?


    No, you can't do this. This is the Component Store we are talking about. It is a very complex structure and it is impossible to tell which of the many folders it contains are necessary and which could be deleted. Unless you want to break your system, don't touch it! The only safe way to clean it is with the tools Windows provides. This complexity is why it can take so long to clean.

    . The components and packages used in a Windows installation are processed by the Windows Component Store. Determining the size of the Windows Component Store is complicated by the fact that many of the files are used by Windows from directories outside the Windows Component Store using a technique known as hard linking. In such cases, the files from a component version appear both inside and outside the Windows Component Store. By using hard linking Windows is able to appear to keep multiple copies of the same file without actually taking the added space for multiple copies.
    Analyze Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 10


    Also is it fine to go to run -> %temp% and delete all the files listed in that folder?



    That's completely different. Yes you can, because if a file is still in use you won't be allowed to delete it. Any files you are allowed to delete (which will be most of them) are not in use and no longer needed.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 153
    Windows 10 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    @Bree Thanks a lot for the clarification mate 👍
      My Computers


 

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