Clean up Temporary Files for All Users

Why would you use the Clean Up Temporary Files for all Users Worklet?

Temporary files, also known as temp files, are created by various programs and processes on your computer. These files serve as temporary storage for data or information that is only needed temporarily. 

Over time, these files can accumulate and take up a significant amount of disk space, which can slow down your computer's performance and make it difficult to store new files or install new software.

Also, when a computer has a large number of temporary files, it can slow down system performance. This is because the operating system and programs may need to sift through numerous files to find the ones they require, causing delays in opening files or executing tasks. By cleaning up temporary files, you can help improve a computer's speed and responsiveness.

Privacy can be another reason to clean up temporary folders and temporary files. That’s because they can contain sensitive information such as login credentials, browsing history, or cached files from websites.

If someone gains access to the computer, they may be able to retrieve these temporary files and access personal data. Cleaning up temporary files reduces the risk of unauthorized access and helps protect privacy.

You may also want to clean up temp files for all the users in your environment for system stability. Some temporary files are essential for the proper functioning of certain programs or processes. However, if these files become corrupted or contain errors, they can cause system crashes or other stability issues. Deleting temporary files periodically ensures that any corrupted or unnecessary files are removed, promoting system stability.

How to clean up temporary files for all users with this PowerShell Worklet

The purpose of this Worklet is to generate a list of local users and eliminate the default temporary directories associated with each individual's local user profile on the machine. This goes for all temp files, temporary internet files, hidden files, text files, and all the files you may want to organize or put in the recycle bin. 

What are the benefits of cleaning up temporary files?

Regularly cleaning up temporary files is part of good endpoint maintenance. Here are some primary reasons why it's a best practice:

Improved system performance

Temporary files accumulate over time and can consume significant storage space on the hard drive. Cleaning up these files can free up disk space, leading to improved system performance and faster file access.

Enhanced security

Temporary files may contain sensitive information such as login credentials or temporary copies of documents. By removing these files, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Faster backup and restore

When performing system backups or restores, including temporary files can unnecessarily increase the backup size and time required. Removing temporary files before backup can help streamline the process, reducing backup time and storage requirements.

Optimized disk space management

Temporary files are typically stored in temporary folders specific to each user profile. Cleaning up these files for all users ensures efficient utilization of disk space across the entire system.

Maintenance of terminal server performance

In the case of terminal servers or multi-user environments, temporary files can accumulate for each user. Regularly cleaning up temporary files helps maintain optimal performance for all users on the server.

Identification of hidden files

While cleaning up temporary files, hidden files that may have been created inadvertently or due to malicious activity can be discovered and removed, enhancing system security.