Can I identify which application is filling AppData\Local\Temp

stefanjan · Feb 15, 2025

My 500GB m.2 Windows drive keeps on getting full due to getting full of temporary files which I then have to manually delete.

Last time I checked there was 193GB of files in C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp.

Is there a way in Windows to identify the application which is creating these files?

S0C9 · Feb 15, 2025

It's usually web browser stuff...
If you use chrome you might see "chrome" prefixed folders...
You can usually figure out the source from the folder names.. many apps use it..
Others are empty log files.

You can safely delete the contents permanently or to recycle bin.
Windows won't delete anything being used.

FDretired · Feb 15, 2025

In my Windows 11 the temp folder is only 3.95 MB

I use Firefox+++ and Edge as my Browsers.

stefanjan · Feb 19, 2025

For anyone coming across this thread with the same problem. I downloaded Process Monitor from Microsoft and added a Path filter.

I identified the application which was creating the files. It was actually cache being created by my DAM software. Moved the cache to another m.2 SSD.

Tester · Feb 19, 2025

I empty that temp folder at shutdown of the computer with a script. As a lot of programs don't cleanup there temp files properly.

stefanjan · Feb 19, 2025

Tester said:
I empty that temp folder at shutdown of the computer with a script. As a lot of programs don't cleanup there temp files properly.

Would be great if you could share your script. Sounds like a great idea.

pseymour · Feb 19, 2025

If you want to do it in a batch file, you could use

forfiles /p %TEMP% /m *.* /s /d -2 /c "cmd.exe /c del /q @path"

Explanation:

Code:

forfiles  - for each file
/p %TEMP% - in the path %TEMP%, the defined temp directory
/m *.*    - matching the pattern *.*, so any file
/s        - including sub directories
/d -2     - with a modified date at least 2 days ago
/c        - Run this command to delete the files...
"cmd.exe /c del /q @path"

Tester · Feb 19, 2025

If you have not Windows Pro but Home, you cannot use a script i think for logoff/shutdown.
You can use the command in a bat file on your desktop like pseymour said, and then add a line for shutdown.
Then add an icon like this to the file Google Search so it looks good, and then use that file to shutdown your pc, instead of the shutdown option in startmenu.

Batch:

@echo off

:: Clean up temp files older than 1 day
forfiles /p "%TEMP%" /m *.* /s /d -1 /c "cmd /c del /q @path"

:: Add more folders or paths to clean up.

:: Shutdown the computer
shutdown /s /t 0

stefanjan · Feb 19, 2025

Thanks, I have Windows 11 Pro so will give this a go.

siliconbeaver · Feb 19, 2025

is that good on SSD to clean-up daily?

usually trimming is enough on SSD. when needed, do format than delete. I would do this way.

Tester · Feb 19, 2025

Livetime on good SSD is over 900TB written. Will take you along time to do that on for example 500gb or 1TB disk..
And for me Cache should not be in Temp folder. As it is part of Application Data, and should not be cleared up, otherwise it will re-generate every time.

Can I identify which application is filling AppData\Local\Temp

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