Question Why is Disk Cleanup not deleting temp files ?

[accesscpu_]

I've noticed that when running Disk Cleanup in Windows 11, it generally does a poor job of clearing my appdata > local > temp folder. Most times it leaves this folder untouched after running. The same can be said for using the comparable option located in Settings > System > Storage > Temporary Files. I know these files are not locked by in-use programs, because I can clear them manually. And some are extremely old, from over a month ago (so they're not considered "critical" at this point). A few images of my family I unzipped using Winrar, for example.

To compare, BitDefender has an optimizer that will clear the temp folder, and it removes about 80% of the files/folders (not all, but most).

I'm just wondering why Windows 11 is missing so much of this folder at scan (and sometimes missing it all together)?

 

[helpstar]

that´s a question to ask Microsoft
some algorithm
my temp files in the temp folder of win10 are not older than two months, so might be 3 months period of not touching the files at all

did you run disk cleanup as admin?

 

[accesscpu_]

that´s a question to ask Microsoft
some algorithm
my temp files in the temp folder of win10 are not older than two months, so might be 3 months period of not touching the files at all

did you run disk cleanup as admin?

LoL, you're so right. And if you ask them on the forums...they always give canned responses. Amazingly frustrating.

Interesting suggestion about running Disk Cleanup as admin. Didn't think of that. Tried it, but no change unfortunately.

I'm reading now this is a known bug (and the old Disk Cleanup is going the way of Cortana). BitDefender does a decent job, but the version in Windows Settings really needs to be improved if it's the only one we'll have (I don't think it even sees the temp folder contents half the time).

Just manually deleting the contents seems to be the best bet. Just glad to know it's not just something weird I was only dealing with. Thanks!

 

[accesscpu_]

ALSO...

After replying I was suggested to try Microsoft's native PC Manager. It actually does a pretty good job for this (including temps). Not perfect, but definitely would recommend!

 

[helpstar]

Thanks for sharing, didn´t know this tool till now