How to Clear Excel Temp Files (3 Quick Ways)

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A temporary or temp file is a special type of file that is created by the Windows system when the system requires it and is deleted automatically by the system when the job is completed. But, sometimes, some temp files don’t remove automatically. In this article, we are going to demonstrate to you 3 quick methods to clear Excel temp files. If you are also curious about it, follow us.


Clear Excel Temp Files: 3 Easy Methods

To demonstrate an approach, we have to launch Microsoft Excel on our device. The other two methods are directly related to the operating system of your device.


1. Reduce Recent Workbooks Number from Advanced Option

In the first method, we will reduce the number of recent workbooks from the Advanced option to clear Excel temp files. The steps of this process are given below:

📌 Steps:

  • First of all, select File > Options option.

  • As a result, a dialog box called Excel Options will appear.
  • Now, click on the Advanced option.
  • Then, scroll down with your mouse for the Display section.
  • After that, decrease the number of the Show this number of Recent Workbooks to 0.
  • Finally, click OK.

Reducing Recent Workbooks Number from Advanced Option to Clear Excel Temp Files

  • The temp file will not stay longer on your device.

Thus, we can say that our procedure works perfectly, and we are able to clear Excel temp files.

Read More: How to Clear Recent Documents in Excel


2. Clear Excel Temp Files by ‘Win+R’ Key

In this process, we are going to use the ‘Win+R’ keyboard key to clear all temp files, including Excel. The steps of this approach are given as follows:

📌 Steps:

  • At first, press the ‘Win+R’ key on your keyboard.

  • As a result, a small dialog box called Run will appear.
  • Now, write down the following command in that dialog box.

%temp%

  • Click OK.

Launching Run window

  • Another window will open with the Temp folder.
  • After that, press ‘Ctrl+A’ to select all the files and press Delete.

clear excel temp files

  • You will get all the temp files cleared from your computer.

Hence, we can say that our approach works effectively, and we are able to clear Excel temp files.


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3. Manually Delete All Excel Temp Files

In the last approach, we will manually go to the temp folder to clear Excel temp files. For different versions of the Windows operating system, the folder location path will be different. We will discuss all widely used versions of Windows.


3.1 Windows 11

We are going to explain the procedure to clear temp files, including Excel, for Windows 11 operating system. The steps are shown below:

📌 Steps:

  • First, go to the C-Drive of your computer.

  • Then, double-click to enter the Windows folder.

Entering into the Windows folder

  • After that, scroll down with your mouse and double-click on the Temp folder.

  • Now, press ‘Ctrl+A’ to select all the files and press the Delete key.

clear excel temp files

  • You will notice all the temp files cleared from your computer.

So, we can say that our procedure works precisely, and we are able to clear Excel temp files from the Windows 11 operating system.


3.2 Windows 10

Now, we will show you the procedure to clear temp files in another widely used Windows version which is Windows 10 operating system. The steps are shown as follows:

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, go to the C-Drive of your computer.
  • Now, follow the following pathway to go to the Temp folder.

C:\Users\Asus\AppData\Local\Temp

  • Then, press ‘Ctrl+A’ to select all the files and press the Delete key on the keyboard.

clear excel temp files

  • You will see all the temp files cleared from your computer.

Therefore, we can say that our method works properly, and we are able to clear Excel temp files from the Windows 10 operating system.


3.3 Windows 8/7/Vista

Other well-known windows versions are 7/8/Vista. The temp folder pathway, as well as the temp file clearing process, are almost similar. So we are describing all of them in one section. The procedure is explained below step-by-step:

📌 Steps:

  • First of all, go to the C-Drive of your computer.
  • Next, follow the following pathway to go to the Temp folder.

C:\Users\Asus\AppData\Local\Temp

  • Afterward, press ‘Ctrl+A’ to select all the files and press the Delete key.

clear excel temp files

  • You will notice all the temp files cleared from your computer.

At last, we can say that our approach works fruitfully, and we are able to clear Excel temp files from the Windows 7/8/Vista operating system.


3.4 Windows XP

The version of Windows XP is quite older. You may not find this version frequently, yet we are showing the procedure for your convenience. The steps for this operating system are explained as follows:

📌 Steps:

  • At first, go to the C-Drive of your computer.
  • After that, follow the following pathway to go to the Temp folder.

C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Temp

  • Then, press ‘Ctrl+A’ to select all the files and press Delete.

clear excel temp files

  • You will see that all the temp files cleared from your computer.

Finally, we can say that our procedure works successfully, and we are able to clear temp files from the Windows XP operating system.

Read More: Difference Between Delete and Clear Contents in Excel


Conclusion

That’s the end of this article. I hope that this article will be helpful for you and you will be able to clear Excel temp files from your device. Please share any further queries or recommendations with us in the comments section below if you have any further questions or recommendations.


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Soumik Dutta
Soumik Dutta

Hi! I am Soumik. I have completed my Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. I have found my calling in Machine Learning and Data Science, and in pursuing so, I have realized the importance of Data Analysis. Excel is one excellent tool to fulfill the purpose. I am always trying to learn every day about different features of Excel and trying to share here what I am learning.

2 Comments
  1. my excel cache was huge also: took all day for it to open, etc…
    it’s here: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache

    • Reply Avatar photo
      Abrar-ur-Rahman Niloy May 8, 2023 at 4:34 PM

      Thanks again, there seems to be some cache from the recently opened office files in the location. Deleting them would certainly help.

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