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Is it still true that all .tmp files should be deleted upon finding them

Anonymous
2025-04-06T21:31:50+00:00

I had thought my system to be clean, however, I was just scanning thru the system and found a large lot of temporary files and am about to delete them all. Does it remain true to always delete temp files anytime, any place we find them?

I am running a Lenovo desktop, with:

Windows 10

Microsoft 365 Home/Personal / actually not specified

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. EmilyS726 226.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-04-06T22:07:11+00:00

    Hello,

    No, you shouldn't have to clear your tmp files all the time. They are used by the systems and applications to store data temporarily for various purposes, such as improving performance, supporting ongoing processes, facilitating data exchange, buffering data transfers, and providing quick backup. If you clear them all the time, it actually might make the computer load certain things slower.

    For maintenance purpose, instead of manually deleting tmp files, you might want to use built-in tool Windows Disk Cleanup to safely remove only those temporary files that are no longer needed and avoids those currently in use by the system or applications.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-09T19:28:35+00:00

    Wow! A couple of days ago, I came into the Community and was checking some of the questions I had posted and then also added some comments including here. I was taught many years ago by a person who worked for a PC company repairing PCs and he said ANYTIME we find a temporary file, it should be deleted as it is data that is not needed for anything and ends up merely trashing our stored data.

    But from what you all are saying, this is not true. I wonder perhaps if that is the cause of the monstrous issues I have with my present PC? It has gotten to the point that I know a download and install of an update from Microsoft will end up creating a mountain of issues with my PC. In fact, it is so bad, I have not updated to Windows 11 for fear of carrying the issues over to it. What I want to do is get a backup of my programs and my data and other personal files and then completely erase this machine so that I can install Windows 11 knowing this machine is clean of everything but what should be here. It is a Lenovo desktop with Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 and the version of "365" is never shown. Every update has ended like the last time when I could not use the PC for over a week. I had literally had to leave it setting, turned on, and tried each day but could not do anything until after a week had passed. What happened in the meantime I have no idea. We know we have spirits living in this house but they have never messed with the PC and do not believe they are doing so now (THIS IS NOT A JOKE).

    However, based upon your info, I will now cease ever looking for a deleting ".tmp" files again!

    Thank you!

    THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-06T22:03:16+00:00

    Does it remain true to always delete temp files anytime, any place we find them?

    It was never true to begin with. You can't be sure whether an application that created a temporary file no longer needs that temporary file.

    As temporary files grow older, it's less likely that they're still needed. If you want, pick a cutoff - 24 hours, 48 hours, whatever you think is appropriate - and remove temporary files that old or older.

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