Everything you need to know about temporary files
We hear about temporary files all the time, but usually people just tell you to use a software tool to delete them and speed up your PC. But what exactly are temporary files? How do they work, and do they really make your PC faster?
Well, I’ll tell you all about it!
What are temporary files?
Temporary files serve an important purpose. They are files created by software to temporarily store information while a new file is being created. These files are created for various reasons—like when a program doesn’t have enough memory to perform a task.
According to Techopedia, a temporary file is “any file created by a program that serves a temporary purpose.” They can be used for reasons like creating a temporary backup, dealing with large amounts of data, or for inter-process communication.
You can identify temporary files by their extension, which is usually .tmp. They may also have a “~” character at the beginning of the filename.
How do they work?
When software needs to store temporary information to complete a task, it creates a temporary file. For example, when you want to print something on Windows, the operating system creates a temporary file to store the print job. Then, it sends the request to the printer and deletes the temporary file when it’s done. However, if Windows isn’t shut down properly, these files might not get deleted.
Many different programs can create temporary files for various operations and tasks.
Can you change where temporary files are stored?
Yes, you can! If you use an SSD as your primary drive and want to save storage space, you can change the location where temporary files are stored. However, it can be a bit of a hassle because you have to make changes for each user on your account. We have a complete tutorial to help you with this.
Does deleting temporary files really speed up your PC?
Temporary files can slow down your PC, especially if the folder gets too large. However, a large temp folder is usually not the main cause of a slow PC. Other factors like a large browser cache, unused programs, or not restarting your PC for a while can also contribute to slow performance.
If you think you need to clean out your temporary files, it’s best to do a complete cleanup. Clear the temp files, clear your cache, restart your PC, and so on. It can take some time, but there are free software tools like CCleaner that can help with this.
So, deleting temporary files might provide some benefit, but it’s usually the accumulation of various factors that slows down your PC. Also, note that temporary files themselves don’t slow down or affect performance. However, as these files accumulate, your computer’s hard drive can become fragmented, which can impact performance. Regularly using software like CCleaner can help keep your PC running smoothly. If your computer is still slow, you can check out our guide to PC maintenance.
In conclusion
That’s everything you need to know about temporary files. In most cases, you don’t need to worry about them because they’re managed automatically in the background. However, understanding how things like temporary files work can be helpful.
That’s everything you need to know about temporary files. In most cases, you don’t need to worry about them because they’re managed automatically in the background. However, understanding how things like temporary files work can be helpful.
