How to Clean Up Temporary Files and Trash in Windows 11

Cleaning up temporary files and trash in Windows 11 is essential for maintaining a well-organized and efficient computer. By doing so, you can free up valuable storage space and ensure that your PC runs smoothly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of cleaning up temporary files, including AppData and the Temp folder, as well as clearing browser cache and other caches.

Accessing Temporary Files and Trash

Before we begin, let’s learn how to access the temporary files and trash folders in Windows 11:

1. Temporary Files: Press Win + R, type in %temp%, and press Enter. This opens the Temp folder.
2. AppData: Press Win + R, type in %appdata%, and press Enter. Navigate to the Local and Roaming folders to find temporary files from applications.
3. Recycle Bin: Simply double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Deleting AppData

1. In the AppData folder, navigate to Local and Roaming.
2. Identify files and folders that are no longer needed.
3. Right-click and delete them. Be cautious and avoid deleting essential files.

Clearing the Temp Folder

1. Open the Temp folder.
2. Select all files and folders (Ctrl + A).
3. Right-click and choose Delete. Windows will notify you if some files are in use.

Clearing Browser Cache

Each web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) has its method for clearing cache and browsing history. Here’s a general approach:

In Google Chrome:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Select the time range and items you want to clear.
3. Click Clear data.

In Mozilla Firefox:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Choose the items you want to clear.
3. Click Clear Now.

In Microsoft Edge:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Select what to clear (e.g., browsing history, cached images and files).
3. Click Clear.

Clearing Other Cache

Windows 11 may also accumulate cache in system and application folders. It’s recommended to clear these caches periodically:

1. Press Win + R and type in prefetch. Delete the files in the Prefetch folder.
2. Open the Run dialog (Win + R) and type in wsreset.exe to clear the Windows Store cache.

Emptying the Recycle Bin

Don’t forget to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete files:

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Click Empty Recycle Bin in the toolbar.