Windows – Manually remove temporary files windows 10

temporary-fileswindows 10

So currently I have 11.7GB of temporary files on the disc where Windows is and I already tried to remove them using the graphical interface (Control panel → System → Storage → Disc → Remove temporary files → accept) but it is not working. It stays at 11.7 GB.

The question is how to remove the files manually and not cause a serious system damage and can I remove the entire %Temp% folder content and not break the windows its clear that I'm going to lose data.

I also ran cleanmgr and tried to delete the temporary internet files 1 GB and did nothing. I guess I could install CCleaner and clear the disc that way but first I am to do this one time and not repetitively, second I don't have any space left for that software, thirdly that's just additional software to do what I ask in this question how to do manually if possible.

PS I made some space and installed CCleaner who deleted 8GB of SYSTEM Temporary Data and the problem is solved but the question still remains the same.

Why didn't Windows do that and can it be done manually ?

Best Answer

This answer worked for me: http://www.blackmanticore.com/30becce9a227e690c0ae63bedc26c9be

If you're unable to use Disk Cleanup (e.g. Server-editions: 2008/2008R2/2012/...), there's one other way to manually remove the updates:

  1. First, make sure no update process is running, or you'll get into trouble.
  2. Open elevated Explorer, navigate to %WINDIR%\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
  3. Delete the contents of the folder, not the folder itself.
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