Delete Temp and Prefetch Files in Windows

Have you ever felt your Windows 11 (or other versions) laptop is slower than before?

CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions received multiple support requests from clients saying it.

Do you know what my first instructions were in such support requests? I ask them to clear the temporary files, cache, and prefetch data files.

99% of the time, the Windows system will start working faster than before. Today, I will teach you how to delete Windows Temporary and Prefetch files.

Let me first explain the steps to clear Temporary files in a Windows 11 PC.

Open the Run (Press the Windows and R keys together to open Run) and type the following instruction.

Now, press the Enter key. You will reach the Windows 11 Temporary Folder.

Delete all files (some files will not go). Skip the rest of the files. Now you have cleared the Windows 11 Temp folder.

After reading comments, I feel that many people from non-technical backgrounds do not know about the prefetch files.

Binoy Joy, one regular reader of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions, asked, "Hello Alex, is emptying the Windows 11 prefetch folder speeding up my HP laptop?"

My answer is yes. Let me explain how to clear the prefetch folder in Windows 11.

Open the Run and type the following command.

Press the Enter key. Select all files in this folder and delete them permanently.

Now, your Windows 11 laptop will show better performance.

Razia Mirza, a fashion designer, asked, "Is it okay to clear the prefetch and Temp folders in a Windows 7 laptop? "

Windows 7 also has prefetch and Temporary files folders like Windows 11. We can use the same method to clear those files in Windows 7. Let me write the instructions again.

How To Clear the Temp Files in a Windows 7 Computer?

Follow the instructions to clear the temporary files in a Windows 7 computer.

1. Click on Windows 7 'Start'.

2. Click on Run

3. Type temp on Run and press Enter.

4. Delete files listed

5. Again, type %temp% on Run. Press the Enter key.

6. Delete files listed here

In rare cases, you may see an error message while deleting the Temp files. Arbin Mack, one regular reader of CoreNetworkZ, asked, "Hello Alex, I followed your guide, but Windows shows an error while clearing the temp files. Is it normal? "

It is normal because the user cannot remove temporary files generated by applications (that are currently running).

You cannot delete the files currently in use. It may show an error message.

The prefetch folder contains files that tell how the software installed on your computer works. Generally, you do not need to delete files in this folder. If you want to delete files in the prefetch folder, follow the steps below.

1. Click on Windows 7 'Start'

2. Click on Run

3. Type prefetch and press enter

4. Delete the files

This tutorial is a supporting guide for my main articles, where we frequently provide steps such as removing temporary files, cache, and prefetch data as part of the troubleshooting process.

To avoid repeating the instructions in every guide, I have chosen a comprehensive guide on removing temporary and cache files from Windows computers.

It is important to note that many recommend deleting the files listed below in Safe Mode to ensure complete removal. However, the same process will work in the normal mode hassle-free.