Windows 11 can remove temporary files from Settings > System > Storage. Review the categories before deleting anything because cleanup choices can include more than disposable cache files, such as a previous Windows installation. Storage Sense can also automate selected cleanup tasks.
How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 11
- Open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Storage.
- Select Temporary files.
- Wait for Windows to calculate the available categories.
- Review each category and select only the items you want to remove.
- Select the option to remove the selected files and confirm when prompted.
Review the List Before Removing Files
Do not treat every cleanup category as interchangeable. For example, Previous Windows Installation(s) can be useful for rollback or recovery scenarios until you deliberately remove it. If Downloads or other personal-file categories are offered in a cleanup interface, make sure you understand what will be deleted before selecting them.
Use Storage Sense for Automatic Cleanup
- Open Settings > System > Storage.
- Open Storage Sense.
- Turn it on if you want Windows to perform automatic cleanup.
- Review its cleanup schedule and options, especially settings involving the Recycle Bin, Downloads, or cloud content.
Microsoft says Storage Sense works on the system drive. With its default behavior, Downloads and cloud content are not managed unless you configure those options.
Cleanup Recommendations
Windows also provides Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. This can identify temporary files as well as large or unused files, cloud-synced content, and unused apps. Review the recommendations rather than deleting everything automatically.
What About Disk Cleanup?
Disk Cleanup remains another Windows cleanup tool and can remove temporary and system-file categories. For most Windows 11 users, Storage settings and Storage Sense provide the clearer starting point because they show current storage categories and automation controls in Settings.
Will Deleting Temporary Files Make the PC Faster?
Cleanup can recover storage space. Low disk space can contribute to performance and update problems, so freeing space may help when storage is genuinely constrained. Deleting temporary files is not, however, a guaranteed performance boost for every healthy PC.
Summary
Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, review the categories, and remove only what you no longer need. Use Storage Sense if you want automatic cleanup, but review its Recycle Bin, Downloads, and cloud-file behavior before enabling broader deletion rules.