Windows 10: Can't delete temporary files in Windows 10 - Beyond disk cleanup

There was a posting from 2017 in which Microsoft replied, but didn't hit the root of the problem. After running disk cleanup the Windows Update process is still showing that I have 3.65 GB of Temporary files.Yes, my machine only has 29GB of memory. But, you shouldn't have to throw memory to fix inefficient Microsoft coding. That's another story. - Assembler programmers, Live On! Chive On! : How do I find and get rid of these "Temporary" files which Microsoft Windows Update is showing as taking up 3.65 GB of space?

:)

 

Disk cleanup: cannot delete temporary internet files

Note that the issue raised is NOT all temporary files. Rather, it is about temporary internet files.

 

How To Delete Temporary Internet Files And Temporary Files In Windows 10

Hi,

As you are saying that you are not able to delete the temporary internet files and temporary Files in Windows 10.

Provide us with the below details for better clarity on the issue.

1.Have you installed any third party applications to clean up temporary Files?

2.In the Disk Cleanup had you checked the Temporary Internet files and Temporary files before doing disk cleanup?

I suggest you to follow the below steps and try deleting the temporary internet files.

• Open Internet Explorer by typing Internet Explorer in Search Bar. Click the
  Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
• Click the General tab, and then, under Browsing history, click
  Delete.
• In the Delete Browsing History dialog box, select the check boxes for the information you want to delete, click
  Delete, and then click OK.

I also suggest you refer the Microsoft article on View and delete browser history in Microsoft Edge
and check if it helps.

View and delete browser history in Microsoft Edge

Let us know if the issue with the deletion of temporary files is resolved we will be glad to assist you further.

 

How to delete Temporary Internet Files and Temporary Files?

Hi Wes,

We appreciate you for being a part of Windows 10.

Have you checked the boxes Temporary Internet Files and Temporary Files while you run the Disk cleanup?

Kindly be informed that if you want to delete the temporary files, you need to check the Temporary files box while you run the Disk cleanup. You can use Disk Cleanup to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your drives, which can help your PC run
faster. It can delete temporary files and system files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove a variety of other items that you might no longer need. Follow the below steps and check if it helps.

• 
  Press Windows + R keys on the keyboard to open run command prompt.
  
• 
  You can use Disk Cleanup to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your drives, which can help your PC run faster. It can delete temporary files and system files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove a variety of other items that
  you might no longer need.Type cleanmgr in the run text box and hit
  Enter key on the keyboard.
  
• 
  In the Drives list, tap or click the drive that you want to clean up, and then tap or click
  OK.
  
• 
  In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, select the checkboxes (Temporary files and
  Temporary internet files) and for the file types you needed, tap or click
  OK, and then tap or click Delete files.
  

Now check if you are able to delete the temporary files after running the Disk cleanup.

Reference: For more information on how to use the Disk cleanup, you may refer to the below help article.

Tips to free up drive space on your PC

The steps in the above article applies to Windows 10 also except how to open the control panel in the step 1. Press “Windows + X” keys on the keyboard and select “Control panel” to open Control panel.

You may also refer to the section Delete Temporary files in the below help article and check if it helps.

Free up drive space in Windows 10

I hope the above information helps. Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.