How to Automatically Delete Temp Files in Windows 10

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

With the latest Windows 10 Microsoft has added a new feature “Storage sense” similar to the old Disk Cleanup Utility found in older versions of Windows that monitors your system for old and unused files and actively removes them on a regular schedule. We can say Microsoft has cleverly merged the old Disk Cleanup feature and the Delete Temporary files feature and made the process as easy as pie.

Microsoft has added Storage sense as an optional feature, which is disabled by default, but when enabled, it’ll proactively delete temporary (those created by apps) delete files that have been in the recycle bin for more than 30 days, as well as files in the Downloads folder that haven’t changed in 30 days.

2. How To enable Storage sense?

With Storage sense, your Windows 10 can automatically free up disk space, when you’re low on it. Here’s how to enable and configure Storage sense in Windows 10

1. Click on the start menu icon and start typing “Storage”.
   
   
2. The first result that pops up, Storage settings, is exactly what you want.
   
   
3. Or In the Settings menu click on “System.” Next, click on “Storage” in the column on the left.

• Notice the heading that reads “Storage Sense” and Turn on the Storage sense toggle switch to let Windows 10 automatically manage space and free up space when you’re low on it.

3. Automatically Delete Temp Files in Windows 10

Using Storage sense, you can allow Windows 10 to automatically free up space when your device is running low on disk space. To free up disk space automatically on Windows 10, Again open Settings -> System -> Storage in the column on the left.

• Here click on the link “ Configure storage sense or run it now” you’ll be taken to a screen where you can dictate which files Storage Sense mops up and how often.

1. Here first make sure the Storage sense switch is toggled on.
   
   
2. Use the drop-down menu to select when you want to run Storage sense automatically when your device is running low on storage.
   
   
3. Under “Temporary files,” check the Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using the option.
   
   
4. Using the “Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over” drop-down menu and select 1, 14, 30, 60 days, or never to disable the
   option.
   
   
5. Using the “Delete files in my Downloads folder if they have been there for over” drop-down menu and select 1, 14, 30, 60 days, or never to disable the option.

With the latest Windows, 10 version 2021 Storage Sense now has the capability to automatically free up disk space by making older, unused, locally available files be available online-only with the help of a process called “dehydration”, meaning your local files will now be saved in the OneDrive cloud and can be accessed when connected to the internet.