The %temp% folder (C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Local\Temp) is where Windows and installed apps write disposable working files. It regularly grows past 10 GB because many apps forget to clean up after themselves.
Short answer: yes, it is safe to delete the files inside %temp% — but never the folder itself. Use the Run command %temp%, select all, delete, and skip any file that is currently locked.
What Temp files actually do
Three things write into Temp:
- Installers — setup archives unpack gigabytes here before copying into Program Files
- Running apps — Word autosaves, browsers buffering downloads, games unpacking assets
- Windows services — update logs, diagnostic dumps, printer spool data
When an installer or app crashes or exits uncleanly, its temp files are orphaned and stay forever. That is where the bulk of the waste comes from.
Emptying Temp the safe way
Do not delete the Temp directory itself — Windows needs it to exist. Delete the contents.
- save work and quit heavy apps
- press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
- type
%temp%and press Enter - in the File Explorer window, press Ctrl + A to select everything
- press Delete
- when "The action can't be completed because the file is open in..." appears, tick Do this for all current items and click Skip
- right-click the Recycle Bin on the desktop and choose Empty Recycle Bin
Skipping locked files is correct — those are in active use. Everything that can be deleted will be, and nothing the OS currently needs gets touched.
Better next routes
For a broader Windows 11 cleanup, continue with How to Free Up Space on C Drive Windows 11 Natively.
For the deeper sweep beyond Temp, read Deep Cleaning Windows 11 & 10.