How to Empty Temp Files | Clear Cache on Any PC or Mac

Emptying temp files on both Windows and macOS takes under a minute using built-in tools like Storage Settings or Storage Recommendations, with no software to download.

A full hard drive drags every task down — slower boots, stalled downloads, apps that refuse to update. The culprit is often temp files and cache data that Windows and macOS let pile up by default. The fix takes minutes, never costs a cent, and doesn’t require installing anything. Below are the exact steps for both operating systems, plus the automation settings that keep the drive clean going forward.

Where Temporary Files Live on Windows

Windows stores temp files in two main locations. The user-level folder at %temp% holds files your current account created. The system-level folder at C:\Windows\Temp holds files from Windows updates, installers, and drivers. Cleaning both is the complete process.

Method 1 — Storage Settings (the Fastest Route in Windows 11 & 10)

This is the safest option because Windows selects only safe-to-delete files automatically. It works identically on Windows 11 and the latest Windows 10 builds.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Click Temporary files. Windows scans the drive and shows a list of removable data.
4. Check the boxes you want to remove — Temporary files, Windows Update Cleanup, and Recycle Bin are the ones that free the most space. The description next to each category tells you what it holds.
5. Click Remove files. Progress is shown in a small bar; once it finishes, the space is freed.

the temporary files list refreshes and the space total at the top of the Storage page drops immediately.

Method 2 — The Run Command (When You Want Manual Control)

The manual route gives you direct access to the folders themselves, useful when you want to spot-check what is accumulating.

1. Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter. A File Explorer window opens to your user temp folder.
2. Press Ctrl + A to select everything, then press Delete. Some files will say they are “in use” — that is normal. Click Skip for those; they are active and will be cleaned on the next reboot.
3. Press Windows + R again, type C:\Windows\Temp, and press Enter. This folder requires administrator permission. Click Continue when prompted, then select all and delete.

the folders are empty or nearly empty, with only a few “in use” files remaining.

Method 3 — Disk Cleanup for System Files

Disk Cleanup reaches temp categories the other tools miss, like old Windows update backups and delivery-optimization files.

1. Search Disk Cleanup in the Start menu and open the app.
2. Select drive C: (or your system drive).
3. Click Clean up system files at the bottom. The tool re-scans with elevated permissions.
4. Check Windows Update Cleanup, Temporary files, and Delivery Optimization Files, then click OK.

the progress bar runs for a few minutes and the space shown in drive C properties rises.

How to Empty Temp Files on macOS

macOS calls user temp data caches and logs, and scatters them across hidden Library folders. The system provides an auto-clean option and a safe manual path.

Using Storage Recommendations (the Set-and-Forget Way)

1. Click the Apple Menu > System Settings.
2. Go to General > Storage.
3. Under Recommendations, toggle Empty trash automatically to On. macOS will purge Trash items older than 30 days without asking.

the toggle turns green, and next month the system starts self-cleaning.

Manual Cache and Log Deletion (for Immediate Space)

This targets the largest cache locations without risking system files.

1. Open Finder.
2. Click Go > Go to Folder in the top menu bar.
3. Type ~/Library/Caches/ and press Enter. You see folders named after every app on the Mac.
4. Open each folder and delete files (not the folder itself) for apps you no longer use or whose cache you want to clear. Reliable candidates: com.google.Chrome, com.apple.appstore, and com.spotify.client.
5. Type ~/Library/Logs/ in the same Go to Folder dialog and press Enter. Select all log files and drag them to the Trash.
6. Right-click the Trash > Empty Trash.

the Trash icon shows items inside, and after emptying, the About This Mac storage bar visibly shifts.

Browser Caches — The Source of Most “Temp” Clutter

Each browser holds its own temp files. Clearing them separately often recovers more space than any system-level tool.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Gate note: on Windows Home, Disk Cleanup’s Clean up system files works the same as on Pro. On older macOS versions (Ventura and earlier), the Storage pane lives in System Settings > General > Storage identically.

Automate Cleaning with Storage Sense (Windows) or Auto-Empty Trash (Mac)

Both operating systems offer automation so you never have to remember.

On Windows, open Settings > System > Storage and toggle Storage Sense to On. Click Configure Storage Sense and set:

• Run: Weekly (or Monthly if you prefer less frequency)
• Delete temp files not used by apps: On
• Recycle Bin: delete files after 30 days

On macOS, the auto-empty Trash toggle under System Settings > General > Storage handles it. Items older than 30 days vanish without intervention.

Restarting the machine after any of these steps lets the OS delete files that were “in use” during the cleanup, reclaiming even more space on the next boot.