Clear temporary system folder
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This script eliminates the contents of the %SYSTEMROOT%\Temp\
directory, also known as the Windows Temp directory 1.
This directory is located within the Windows system folder %SystemDrive%\Windows\Temp\
1 2.
It is used by the system and system-level processes to store temporary files, including those generated by the operating
system and other system-level software.
This folder, protected by specific access control lists (ACL) 3 4, is accessible only to system-level accounts 2.
Known for being utilized by malware, cleaning this directory is recommended for maintaining system security 2 5. Moreover, it's used for forensics to analyze user behavior 6, thus raising privacy concerns.
Microsoft underscores the importance of cleaning this folder to free up disk space 7, resolve system application issues 1 8 9, and counteract malware 2. Some system applications may populate this folder, taking up considerable disk space 7 9 10.
This script only deletes the contents of the %SYSTEMROOT%\Temp\
directory, not the directory itself, to maintain system integrity,
security, and privacy, avoiding potential issues caused by unintentional directory deletion without proper ACL. Deleting the directory
itself might disrupt certain applications, such as dism
11, and application installers 12, while also removing the special ACL
that secures the folder.
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.
Implementation Details
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Language: batch
-
Required Privileges: Administrator rights
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Compatibility: Windows only
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Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent
Explore Categories
- Clear temporary Windows files
- Privacy cleanup
This action belongs to Clear temporary Windows files category. This category covers removal of temporary Windows files. It is recommended to clean these files as they can be used for unauthorized analysis of user behavior and system usage. They may also potentially host malicious software. Eliminating these files significantly enhances the security and... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Privacy cleanup category. This category configures Windows using 86 scripts. These scripts are organized in 18 categories. The category includes 9 subscripts and 5 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
Apply now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.
Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Clear temporary system folder
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.
-
Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
-
Run the script file by clicking on it.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
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Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Clear directory contents : "%SYSTEMROOT%\Temp"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%SYSTEMROOT%\Temp'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
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