How to Move Temporary Files to Another Drive in Windows

In Windows, temporary files are regularly created for various applications and system processes. Over time, these files can accumulate and take up valuable space on the primary drive, which can be particularly problematic if you're using a smaller SSD. A practical solution is to move these temporary files to another drive, optimizing performance and freeing up space on the system partition.

Step 1: Identify the Current Paths for Temporary Files

Before transferring temporary files, it's essential to identify the current file paths. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to System (or press Win + Pause/Break).
  2. Select Advanced system settings, then click on Environment Variables under the System Properties window.
  3. In the window that opens, note the TEMP and TMP variables listed for both your user profile and the system.

Step 2: Create a New Folder for Temporary Files on Another Drive

Once you’ve identified the current paths, choose a drive where you’d like to move the temporary files and create a new folder on it, such as Temp on drive D:\.

Step 3: Change the Paths for Temporary Files

After creating the folder, follow these steps to change the storage location for temporary files:

  1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Environment Variables again.
  2. Under both User variables and System variables, select the TEMP and TMP variables, then click Edit.
  3. In the Variable value field, enter the new path, such as D:\Temp, and save the changes.

Step 4: Restart the System

To apply these changes, it’s recommended to restart your computer. Once restarted, Windows will start saving temporary files to the new folder on the specified drive.

Tips for Managing Temporary Files

  • Periodically clear out the temporary files folder to prevent unnecessary data buildup.
  • For added convenience, enable automatic file cleanup in Settings → System → Storage.

Following these steps will help you move temporary files to another drive, improving overall system performance and freeing up space on the primary drive.