Windows 10: Can temporary files produce issues besides taking up space?

I heard clearing the temp folders (c:\Windows\temp and the appdata temp folder) can fix issues such as a computer running slow, a printer not working properly and other software issues.

I'd like to hear opinions on this. How can temp files do anything more than take up needed space?
Can the operating system use temp files from previous sessions?

Any help much welcome.

:)

 

Issue with temporary files

Hi Junaid,

I unhide the files as per the article "Show hidden files" but it does not help to see what takes up to 29GB in my temporary files (settings/system/storage/temporary files).

The other two methods you mentioned have already been tried without success.

Regards,

Guy

 

Issue with temporary files

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Temporary files or cache could be stored in multiple locations. I would suggest you to unhide the files and see if it helps. Refer to the article

Show hidden files for the same.

If the space is still being used, I would suggest you to try the methods listed in the following articles and see if it helps:

• Free up drive space in Windows 10
• Low Disk Space error due to a full Temp folder

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

 

Temporary Files Continuously Eating Disc Space

Recently I got an error that kept popping up on my screen saying that windows could not install an update due to low disc space. When I clicked on the link attached to the notification it took me to a page that listed the types of storage that where occupying
my disc and gave me cleanup options. Temporary files was taking up much of my disc space with roughly 42 GB dedicated to it. So I ran the cleanup tools on that and the other storage folders, this only freed up a few hundred MB. Since this was not enough I
deleted some applications to free up space. This worked temporarily and I was able to use my computer. However, when I got on the next day I was out of space again, I took the same steps I had taken previously to make my laptop usable. When I got on today
storage was full again and temporary files are now taking up over 78 GB of my 117 GB hard drive.

I have tried diagnosing the problem by looking through this forum. I tried searching for viruses but found no foreign files, I tried using all of Microsoft's build in disc cleaning programs but they are only a temporary fix that free up less that a Gigabyte,
and I've tried direct commands to delete the temporary files on my computer. My recycling bin is empty.

I wish I could attach pictures but I cant take a screen shot with no place to store the image. If anyone thinks they know what to do and needs a specific picture I can try to free up some space to get one.