How To Delete Temporary Files And Delete Prefetch Files From Your Computer

You may have to enter your administrator password to continue.

Make sure to remove the checkmarks next to any type of file you do not want to delete. For example, if you download files from the internet to your Downloads folder and keep them there, you’ll definitely want to remove the checkmark from “Downloads. " One folder that takes up a lot of space is “Windows Update Cleanup,” which contains compressed versions of every Windows Update that’s ever been installed. There’s no reason to keep those forever, so if you’re looking for a quick way to gain hard drive space, check that option.

Prefetch files are automatically created to speed up the launch of certain applications and don’t usually take up much space on your drive. There’s no real reason to delete these files unless you need to free up a small amount of space.

Prefetch files are automatically created to speed up the launch of certain applications and don’t usually take up much space on your drive. There’s no real reason to delete these files unless you need to free up a small amount of space.

Depending on your security settings, you may need to enter your admin password or confirm the action before you see the folder contents.

If you were unable to open the folder with the Run dialog, press the Windows Key + E to open the File Explorer. Click the View tab at the top of the File Explorer. If you’re using Windows 7 or earlier, click Organize instead. Click the Options button near the top-right corner. Windows 7 and earlier: Click Folder and search options instead. Click the View tab on the Folder Options window. Select Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Click OK to close the window.

If you’re using Windows 7 or earlier, click Organize instead.

Windows 7 and earlier: Click Folder and search options instead.

If any of the files you try to delete are in use, you’ll see an error that tells you it can’t be deleted. Just click Skip on such messages—you won’t be able to delete these files until you close whichever apps are using them. The files will not be permanently deleted until you empty your Recycle Bin. You can do this by opening Recycle Bin and clicking Empty Recycle Bin at the top-left.