Temporary files won't delete

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
       #1

    Temporary files won't delete


    Settings -> System -> Storage -> c:/ -> Temporary Files will not delete.

    I have 56gigs of temp files that I can't touch/find/remove. The delete temporary files will not work to clear this. I've tried various Ccleaner and disk clean up.

    Any help would be appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #2

    I was involved in a discussion of exactly the same matter in another forum over 2 months ago. God knows how long that problem since exists.
    We tried to delete by clicking at the button under it, we tried Ccleaner, built-in disk cleanup, and TFC by Oldtimer, none seemed to be able to delete the temp files.
    I decided it was the dump app not registering the deletion and moved on. Of course I am no pundit and my conclusion has no merit.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I agree, I think it started with the Beta to Fable Legends. Which I deleted and it added even more to the temp files when I did. I'm at the point where I think I might just end up reformatting the whole drive and doing a fresh install of windows 10, though will have to do some research on it first. It's the point that I can't even update windows anymore because the drive is too full with stuff that isn't there.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #4

    If you download and run Treesize free as administrator it will tell you what/where these files are. Please post back the full directory paths of the biggest ones.

    Depending on the results there are different ways of deleting them but disk cleanup is a good start if you haven't done that yet.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ix07 Thanks a lot, I was able to delete one 27.5 gig file, but the other one is located in
    C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\5e6b928b080834a762a7a42c41f05186
    and it won't let me delete it, since it says it's open in application information.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #6

    How big is it? Even a whole windows ISO is only about 3GB so you shouldn't have anything huge in there.

    You can clear everything in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ (you lose the ability to roll back a patch but that isn't important as Windows deletes things eventually anyway.).

    It shouldn't be locked unless you are actually half way through installing an upgrade. If it is still locked in say 30 minutes and you want to delete is I would try these in this order:

    1. Boot into safe mode and try to delete it.

    2. Open a command prompt at boot and enter the following (be careful - just enter the bit in red exactly as it is).
    Code:
    Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.10586]
    
    X:\Windows\system32>C:
    C:\>pushd "c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download" && (rd /s /q "c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download" 2>nul & popd)
    C:\>exit
    There are various third party tools (like unlocker) to do the same but I couldn't find a link that wasn't full of malware so I'd not bother. It is safer to use Windows tools and easy enough as long as you are careful and don't delete the wrong thing.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It's 27.5 GB BIT23DD.tmp It's located in the download folder. I also restarted my machine to try to delete it, but still said I couldn't do it. About to head to bed, but I'll try doing it in safe mode tomorrow.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #8

    Nerioth said:
    I'll try doing it in safe mode tomorrow.
    If that doesn't work try the second option in post #6 - it definitely will work as nothing can lock it if windows isn't running.

    There is no way you should have a 27GB temp file in SoftwareDistribution.

    Good luck - let us know how it goes....
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #9

    Nerioth said:
    Ix07 Thanks a lot, I was able to delete one 27.5 gig file, but the other one is located in
    C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\5e6b928b080834a762a7a42c41f05186
    and it won't let me delete it, since it says it's open in application information.
    All files under: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ can be deleted safely unless it is currently being installed. Those are Windows Updates files downloaded and already installed in your PC. Personally, I delete the content of this folder quite often.

    You should be able to delete the content of this folder unless your HD is corrupted. Run chkdsk then try to delete again. Here's mine:

    Temporary files won't delete-.jpg

    In addition. I also use: TFC Temporary file removal tool . Run as Admin, this tool will kill all processes that lock some of the temp files and cannot be deleted in a normal way. After running it, sign out and sign back in.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Well when I came back this morning, there was another file of the 27 gigs. Ran the TFC, and was able to delete both, hopefully they stay gone now. I suspect that it was corrupted while downloading, so kept trying to reinstall.
    I want to thank topgundcp and lx07 for the awesome help.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:40.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums