Excel temp files not deleting automatically. There are a couple files that are highly used.
- Excel temp files not deleting automatically. Understanding where Excel temp files are stored on Windows 11 is crucial for effectively managing your files and retrieving unsaved data. g. Learn to find, delete, and configure autosave settings, optimizing data recovery and file management, with expert tips on Excel temp files. 2. I know that you can't delete VBA code from the workbook that is running it, so my work around is to use a temp workbook. How long a file in temp is needed is defined by the application or the user creating it, not Windows. Delete files starting with "Excel. Check for Feb 9, 2023 · In this blog, we explained how to erase Excel Temp files. As a result, the file explorer will open up with the local cache files. Feb 10, 2025 · Master Excel temp files management with ease, reducing storage clutter and boosting productivity with efficient file recovery, automatic deletion, and expert cleanup techniques for temporary Excel files. Mar 4, 2025 · Excel creates temporary files when opening a file to save temporary changes and caches. Select the file you need and then click Open. tmp file that does not delete when you close out of the program. This will take you to the temporary files folder While temporary files are typically harmless, you may have your own reasons for deleting them. Jun 26, 2025 · The Windows File History tool lets you recover your files from a local backup which happens automatically every 10 minutes. Select the temporary files you'd like to delete and hit "OK. Oct 5, 2023 · Know what is Excel Temp files & how you can securely delete Excel Temp files & How to remove Excel files securely on Windows 10 or Windows 7. 1. 3. Delete Temporary Files: Select all relevant files and folders, right-click, and choose "Delete" to remove them from your system. Check the box that says Temporary files and click OK. It should automatically get deleted after closing main fiie. Thus it is the responsibility of the file creator to delete the temp files when done. Feb 27, 2019 · I’m trying to figure out why Excel is all of a sudden creating TMP files on network shares whenever someone saves a document, and why these files aren’t getting cleaned up automatically when the document is closed. If you still see the TMP file, it suggest that the file is still open. Nov 7, 1999 · There is a word and an excel document (office 2000 pro) that are on a network drive and when I open them they create temp files like they are suppose to but when I close them the temp files do not get deleted. Mar 4, 2025 · The file is not completely closed: If the Excel program or system process is still processing the file, the temporary file may not be deleted immediately. The temp files are always created. Description : When I restart or turn on the laptop then all random files from temp folder open at desktop. Excel will open in safe mode. Open Run Dialog: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. This method largely clears cache related to temporary files generated by Excel and is an effective way to enhance performance. I tried rebooting, I deleted all temp files. If you get the "not found" message when trying to delete a file,that suggests that the file has already been deleted (ie by word) and what ever tool/program Apr 14, 2021 · [SOLVED] !! Cannot delete an Excel file because Excel thinks it is already open in Excel, but it's not. Apr 15, 2015 · I have some hidden excel files with the following name format ~$<filename>. Apr 8, 2025 · This blog reveals a powerful, little-known method on how to recover Excel file from temp folder, helping you restore file after a system crash or accidental closure. The "main" Excel file saves the retains the changes that I made and after each subsequent change, a new TMP file is createdold TMP files are not deleted. tmp Files When multiple users collaborate on Excel workbooks through a central network location, Excel typically generates temporary files to handle versioning, locking, and cached information. Apr 5, 2002 · The second bit does a "false save" -- makes Excel think the file is saved even though it isn't, changes access to read only, and then deletes the file where the code is running. Dec 18, 2023 · Learn about the situation where Excel automatically generates a TMP file Do you see an Excel file with the . tmp file only appears in the network shared folder where the excel files exist. For reference the command you would need to use to delete a file is simply: Kill(path) where you replace path with the actual file path. Jan 11, 2025 · Manage Excel temporary files efficiently, reducing storage clutter. " Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove these files. I am curious if anyone else has been running across this issue. All of these hidden file Apr 20, 2024 · This article describes 5 easy ways to see where Excel autosave files are stored. You can use Excel's built-in recovery feature or search from the temp folder. ) that start with ~$. Clearing these files can effectively clear cache data as well. Any thoughts are much appreciated. Here's how to save your files and photos. Having problems with TMP files being created and not being deleted when closing Excel properly, with no clipboard usage, and workstation is shutdown/restarted Apr 6, 2022 · Macros in Excel are written using VBA, you certainly could edit the VBA code for the Macro (s) to delete the files after usage but you would need to have a working knowledge of the code being used. Oct 13, 2023 · Issue : I have generated below VBA code for Excel and trying to tweak the code so that after processing is complete, the temporary file shown in attached pic : OutPutTemp1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Here are some useful tips that should help remove any stubborn temporary files on Windows. These files are created automatically by the software to store intermediate data, calculations, and formulas, ensuring seamless performance and quick recovery in case of unexpected shutdowns or errors. Dec 5, 2024 · Type %temp% and press Enter to open the Temp folder. Saving XLS Files Creates TMP Files That Do Not Automatically Delete Our service desk has recently started seeing an increase in calls where a user who is saving an XLS file is seeing TMP files created but not deleted. " This process relies on the Windows "File History" feature, which must be enabled; otherwise, you may not have access to . Jan 19, 2025 · Excel may create temporary files that can accumulate over time. But sometimes, the cache makes your file slow and takes storage space from your system. tmp or . Jul 19, 2021 · Note that this option is only offered temporarily by windows, as any new data added will automatically overwrite the older files, and your data is lost forever. You can delete everything there except the files that are currently used by some applications. Sep 10, 2021 · I have users that are creating or editing in Microsoft Excel 2013. xls. This method is suitable for large workbooks with extensive formula use. I didn't know you could delete a file and still run the code that's in it, but I guess that makes sense since it's in Sep 21, 2017 · AFAIK and IIRC Office applications create a temporary file when a user opens a file, the Office application uses that temp file as the "working session", then when the user saves the file the Office application deletes the original and replaces it with the temp file, so delete permissions are needed. Excel’s cache can store temporary data, including sensitive information from your spreadsheets. com). May 16, 2007 · The ideal output is a workbook with a single worksheet that contains NO VBA code (to prevent secuity problems with end-users). Now look under those folders. Feb 14, 2025 · If the Excel file is still being processed by the system or if another user has it open, the temporary files may not be deleted immediately. Mar 15, 2023 · Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. May 9, 2025 · How Do I Recover Data From A Tmp File? To recover temporary files in Windows 10, open the Settings app and navigate to Update and Security > Backup, then select "Restore files from a current backup. Dec 12, 2024 · Temporary Excel files location revealed, learn where autosave files are stored, and discover how to recover unsaved workbooks using Excel backup and recovery tools, managing cached files, and optimizing system performance. 4. "28. You can clear the Excel cache by manually deleting local files. Sep 30, 2023 · These unsaved Excel files are stored as temporary files so that your work is not lost if Excel crashes or your computer loses power. Hit right-click on one cell. tmp, . asd extensions in your system's temporary folder (`C Mar 3, 2025 · These temp files can also serve as a backup in case your file gets corrupted or if you forget to save your work. May 12, 2015 · Word deletes the TMP files when it is shut down normally. sb Hi, since the update to Mojave, Excel documents store repeatedly (not all files) temporary folders which are not deleted on NAS when one opens them with Microsoft Office 2016. Mar 4, 2025 · How to recover files from temp folder in Windows 11/10? Now you can try 3 feasible methods outlined in this article to restore temp files effectively. Her recycling bin is filling up with files that she works with. Apr 30, 2019 · These files are created in the same folder as the word\excel file been used. We are happy to help you. tmp format file. If your computer crashes, the next time you open Excel, the "AutoRecover" menu will display the latest Excel temporary files. Also try to run as an administrator and see if the program can delete it automatically. To clear the Excel cache, navigate to the app’s settings and delete the cached files. Jun 18, 2012 · Question: How can I prevent users for deleting Excel files (office in general) while allowing the . xlsx What is the purpose of these files ? Is there any harm in deleting them ? May 12, 2025 · This post explains how to stop Windows 10 from deleting files automatically and recover deleted data. When working and saving excel files on the share temporary folders will be created which are very often not removed. Clear Pivot Table Cache You can also clear the Excel cache by clearing pivot table cache. Mar 22, 2022 · Kindly check: Excel creating TMP files at Save (spiceworks. You either have to accept that users can delete files and just backup frequently and monitor, or treat it like a drop folder where users edit the files elsewhere like their desktops and then drag the Learn how to clear the cache in Excel using different methods such as turning off recent documents, using the Office Upload Center, Disk Cleanup, Pivot Tables, and VBA code. Jun 15, 2018 · We experience a lot of problems in working with Macs (macOS High Sierra) on network shares (Windows server 2016 core). Deleting these files can help in clearing your cache: Close Microsoft Excel. This. tmp files created by office they do not self delete (hide) when user closes the actual document. Each of these Jun 6, 2025 · You can remove or delete Temporary Files in Windows 11/10 via Settings, Storage Sense, CMD, BAT file, Disk Cleanup Tool, freeware, etc. Mar 1, 2018 · Hi Phil, You can get access to the temporary folder in Windows through this command: %temp% To execute this command, press ⊞ + R (Win+R), copy it there and then click OK. 3. Jun 7, 2022 · I have a Mac running MacOS 12. Then it closes without any other save and stops. Click on the Office button and open a saved excel sheet. Office applications automatically save temporary backups of files at periodic intervals (every 10 minutes, by default), so your file should contain most of the work you lost. Temporary files created by Excel typically include: AutoRecovery files: These files are created automatically to prevent data loss, especially during power outages or application crashes. tmp extension or look in the folder where your file was saved. tmp". So to delete that Open task manager, force stop excel, then delete. You can write a simple VBA macro to clear cached data in Microsoft Office tools. Here’s the way you can perform this action using the PivotTable Options. If the above suggestions don’t work, it’s recommended to contact your NAS support to see if they can help your recover your files. Dec 20, 2024 · Clearing the Excel cache on Windows 10 can help improve performance and resolve issues with the application. [1] The temporary files allow you to recover your unsaved work when you reopen Excel. Mar 23, 2022 · Click OK. These files can cause confusion and concern for many users, as they may lead to questions about data integrity, file management, and system performance. May 10, 2024 · Discussed 4 methods to recover excel file after crash. Generally, the tmp files will be created when you are working on the Office files and the temporary files only exist during the current session of Office apps, when app is shut down in a normal fashion, all temporary files are first closed and then deleted. Jun 22, 2004 · The . Look for your file in the list and save it. Try rebooting your computer. Nov 29, 2023 · Don't let temp files slow down your computer. Apr 19, 2024 · If you enable auto-save, this feature will automatically generate temporary files. In just a few steps, you can ensure Excel runs smoothly and efficiently. They appear when user is using the document and unlike regular . tmp files that it creates when you open a spreadsheet. tmp extension created after working with Excel? Not only you, there are many other users who are also very confused when encountering files with 'strange' formats. Delete them all and restart Excel. It includes most PC files including Excel workbooks. Could be a permission issue when the files are not deleted. xlsx would is required to be closed and it can then be deleted. Just checking in to see if the information was Feb 1, 2022 · Excel documents are among the most important files employees and students have on their hard drives, so knowing how to recover them is important. Sep 9, 2024 · Since the end of July, sometimes when Excel that is used in the workstations, the . This is only happening with Excel files. Dec 22, 2017 · The native ability to remove temporary files automatically is one of the best improvements to the built-in maintenance tools in Windows 10. , do kind of a copy on write thing where they save to a temporary file first then save to the original files, then delete the temporary files. There are a couple files that are highly used. xlsx. Save it in another location. Another location C:\Users\ UserName \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel Go to the above location, and discover some AutoSaved Excel Apr 1, 2022 · Bringing the subject issue into 2022. 5. This process involves removing temporary files stored by Excel, which can sometimes cause the program to function improperly. Confirm any prompts asking for permission to delete. Here, we provided manual & anti-forensic tool to delete Excel TMP data permanently. Now, first let's find out why Excel Apr 7, 2016 · The temp files are the backup file created by Excel every time a file is opened. Ensure that all users close the file properly. This behavior seems related to the content within the Excel files. tmp files, which serve as backups during program crashes or as temporary Anytime I save a change to one of my Excel files, the TMP file appears in the destination folder and remains. How can I fix this. I've noticed that all over my file system, there are hidden files from Microsoft apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. In Excel, “cache” refers to temporary storage files where data is saved to speed up processing. Oct 14, 2015 · A lot of programs, including Word, Excel, etc. the temp files are from Users(username)\\AppData\\Local\\Temp Note : here the AppData… Let’s say you are working on a big Excel file with many formulas, and your computer starts running slowly. tmp files, play a crucial role in the smooth operation of Microsoft Excel. File locks will not be removed and opening the files is often then read only possible. Check the Excel application in safe mode and see if any Add-In is causing these issues. tmp files' properties, there's nothing in Security and I'm unable to take ownership saying I don't have reading permissions. tmp e. Why are TMP files not deleting automatically? How do I clear temp files in Excel? Why do tmp files keep appearing? Why is Excel making tmp files? Apr 12, 2024 · So I have a user with an issue I haven't been able to diagnose. Method 2: Clear Excel Formula Cache Apr 16, 2025 · Where are temporary unsaved Excel files stored? How do you recover an Excel file that disappeared? Learn three solutions to find and recover unsaved Excel files. You can search your computer for files with a . This causes all the office programs not to work. These temporary files are usually automatically deleted when the file is closed. But normally it will be deleted once the editing of the file has been done and the files is saved. To clear temporary files on Windows 10, open the Start Menu, search for "Disk Cleanup," and launch it. where are autosaved excel files stored. Type the Temp Folder Path: Input %temp% and hit Enter. Accidentally closed Excel without saving? Discover how to recover Excel temporary files on Windows. Here an article which explains how Excel saves files including the temp file explanation. Download and exercise the practice book to learn the methods. With each save Excel is creating a . Type C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalMicrosoftOffice and hit Enter. I have tested with the process of opening the file, adding a tab, save, removing the tab, save and am finding that on each save a new TMP file is getting created. Thankfully, Excel has a built-in autosave feature and temporary file system designed to help retrieve your work. On Windows, search for files with . This means that if someone has access to your computer, they might be able to recover cached data even if you’ve deleted the original files. If you close a file without saving changes, the backup is renamed to the original file name and saved. I have tried turning off auto save but the setting changes back each time I edit a new spreadsheet. Press ‘Windows key + R’ and type ‘excel /safe’ without quotes and click ok. Temporary files are files that store information such as computing history, cached data, etc. Nov 23, 2005 · Since I have upgraded to Office Service PAck 2 for Office 2003, excel has quite deleting the . . , to ensure the security and integrity of the data, as well as to be able to recover unsaved work in the event of an accident. " Alternatively, open the Settings app, then navigate to System > Storage > Temporary Files and click "Remove Files. Jul 2, 2025 · Where are Excel temporary files on Windows 10? How to recover unsaved Excel files with the AutoSave and AutoRecover options? This post covers guides to recovering unsaved Excel files from temp files and restoring unsaved Excel files with data recovery software. Nov 9, 2019 · Hi, since the update to Mojave, Excel documents store repeatedly (not all files) temporary folders which are not deleted on NAS when one opens them with Microsoft Office 2016. Apr 29, 2025 · Possible Recovery Methods Check AutoRecover Files Open Excel and go to File > Info > Manage Workbook > Recover Unsaved Workbooks. On Windows machines, Excel temporary files are stored in the following default location: Feb 27, 2025 · We present 12 verified methods to recover deleted Excel files, based on rigorous testing, to bring your spreadsheets back to life! Aug 28, 2023 · If Temporary files are not getting deleted in Windows 11/10, follow these suggestions to delete all files including those created in the last 7 days. Mar 12, 2024 · This comprehensive guide discusses four different methods on how to delete a tmp file: From setting storage to delete tmp files in Windows, run disk cleanup to. Another workaround for this issue would be create a new library and move the content to it. Hello, I am encountering an issue whenever a user saves any file from the office application (Word, Excel, etc) a temp file will show up in the folder that has the office file. Close Excel: As before, ensure that Excel is closed. Sep 2, 2022 · I looked all over the internet to tried every thing I saw to try to locate such a temporary file (within EXCEL and within windows explorer) to try to find some recent copy of the file, presumably automatically saved by EXCEL as a temp file or backup or something like that. The problem is that I then can't delete the temp workbook. xls~. Oct 1, 2019 · That file is a temp file created by excel. It does this if you save as a Microsoft Excel Worksheet and also as a Microsoft Excel Macro-enabled Worksheet. If we work locally with an excel file, say in the ‘My documents’ folder there is no problem. com) and Saving Excel spreadsheet to network share generates . xlsx, or . Look for files with the extensions . Remember to replace [YourUsername] with Method 2: Delete Temporary Files Manually Excel relies on temporary files, which can accumulate over time. · Search for Temporary Files: Excel sometimes creates temporary files as backups. Jun 13, 2025 · To fix excel autosave not working issues, you can use Open and Repair option to repair the file, resave the temp files, disable addins & more 2 days ago · Learn how to delete duplicates in Excel but keep one using Remove Duplicates, Power Query, VBA, UNIQUE function, sorting, and filters. If the TMP file is still there, then try to delete it before opening Word again. May 9, 2025 · When installing any Microsoft Office package, Excel automatically saves temporary copies while you work. 1. The Significance of Excel Temp Files Excel temporary files, often referred to as . Once the process of analyzing files is over, check the Files to delete option. If I go to . Jun 11, 2022 · Excel 2019 creating TMP files - can't remove For the past month or so, Excel 2019 is creating a TMP file in a folder whenever I save an excel file (to the same folder). tmp files which do not automatically delete (microsoft. In an ideal scenario, these temporary files either clean themselves up automatically or remain accessible so that administrators can remove them without Sep 4, 2023 · Problem : Automatically some temp files open at desktop. tmp files that are created when the excel file is saved are not deleted. Recovered files using 'Recover Unsaved Workbooks', File History, OneDrive etc. The files are still in their original locations on her disk, but it seems like every time she goes to edit one, it spawns in… Feb 13, 2018 · experiencing C failures, last round lost two files and only one showed up for recovery, saved the other but hours of work are gone from the folder file. When I try and remove the TMP file, Windows says I need administrator permission (which I have given it's my personal computer) and won't delete the file. And you're even more worried when you can't delete the . Since the missing file was saved in this location. I've noticed because there are 15+ people fighting to be in these workbooks, the problem of the lock files ~$ not clearing itself increases exponentially. Check if the users have read/write rights on the folder. Sep 23, 2024 · Here's the location of your Excel autosave files in Windows 11. The UnsavedFiles folder contains all unsaved files Office has created temporary backups for. Check there to see if you can restore it. Shared Excel Files Generating Inaccessible . Once you enable this feature, you can finally forget about the existence of the temp folder and its contents. Find out how to delete temporary files and clear space on Windows 10 and 11 PCs. Find locations and step-by-step recovery methods here. TMP files to be deleted (not manually). Mar 28, 2025 · · Look in the Recycle Bin: If the file was deleted, it might still be in your computer's Recycle Bin. Nov 9, 2019 · Temporary stored files during saving Excel file cannot be deleted on NAS - . Once I delete the temp files and Jul 11, 2022 · Hi Derin D , I'm Mukesh and I will be happy to help you out with your question. Also check if your AV software plays a role. Even if you close the Excel file, some background processes or Excel's automatic save function may still operate the file. This article delves deeply into tmp files related to Excel, exploring their May 24, 2021 · If you close a file and click Don't Save, the AutoRecover file will be deleted because Office assumes that everything is ok and the AutoRecover file isn't needed. Jul 1, 2024 · Click OK. Clearing Excel’s cache can speed things up by eliminating old, stored data that is no longer needed. Jun 20, 2025 · When working with Excel, users often encounter a variety of file-related issues, one of which is the appearance of temporary files, commonly referred to as tmp files. Jul 25, 2024 · Excel is not deleting its temporary lock file Hi, We have workbooks on a shared network drive. It can Jul 7, 2024 · Learn 3 ways to clear Excel temp files with the Excel Options dialog box, keyboard shortcut, and manual approach. Hi. Learn and ensure smooth workflows. Feb 20, 2023 · Solutions for files being deleted automatically on Windows 10 & Windows 11. Look for Temporary Files Sometimes, Excel saves temporary versions of files. Jun 17, 2024 · Discover how to efficiently find temporary Excel files on your computer with our simple guide. " Dec 11, 2023 · Learn the steps to automate the process of deleting temporary files in Windows 11 or 10, ensuring your system stays clean and optimized. I'm trying to delete or move an Excel file but every time I do, I get a message saying that the action cannot be completed because the file is already open in Excel, which is not true. The issue only occurs under these specific circumstances: Jan 21, 2015 · Excel 2010 temp Files do not delete on network share automatically when closed *Word 2010 do!* Anonymous 21 Jan 2015, 2:45 am Jan 21, 2015 · Excel 2010 temp Files do not delete on network share automatically when closed *Word 2010 do!* Hi, saw this post in similar Versions but never with a "cool solution" :) We got NetApp 2050 as Filer in a Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain with Windows 7 Clients and Office 2010 Pro Plus, all up to date with WSUS. Select and delete relevant temporary files. Feb 7, 2023 · If the temp files created by user sync the library in a File Explorer, please try to open the root folders in File Explorer, unselect "Don't show hidden files and folders". It won't get deleted only if excel crashes or power goes off. May 21, 2024 · Hi, Does your program not have permission to delete the contents of the corresponding folder? It is recommended that you check the corresponding user permissions to ensure that you can access and delete the folders where the temporary files are stored normally. Using VBA to clear cache. Feb 6, 2015 · Excel automatically saves every 10 minutes to the default location of "C:\ Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temp" The files are identifiable as they are saved as a number .