How to Find a Temporary Folder on a Computer

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Windows Vista and Windows 7 store temp folders under your user folder.
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Temporary folders hold temporary files on a computer's hard drive. These can be created when a program uses more memory than is allowed in the virtual memory and are also created when surfing the Internet. Temp files are hidden by default in Windows, so if you want to find these folders you first need to make hidden files and folders visible. You can then navigate to the proper folder to find your temp folders.

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Showing Hidden Folders

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Step 1

Click "Start" and then click "Computer."

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Step 2

Click the "Organize" drop-down menu at the top left of the screen and then click "Folder and Search Options." The "Folder Options" window appears.

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Step 3

Click the "View" tab and then click "Show Hidden Drives, Files and Folders" option under "Hidden Files and Folders" in the Advanced Settings pane. Click "OK."

Finding Your Temp Folders

Step 1

Right-click the "Start" button and choose "Open Windows Explorer."

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Step 2

Click "Computer" in the left pane of the window and then double-click your main drive (usually "Local Disk C:").

Step 3

Double-click the "Users" folder and then double-click the folder named after your username.

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Step 4

Double-click the "AppData" folder and then double-click the "Local" folder.

Step 5

Double-click the "Temp" folder to find all of your temp folders.

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