Where Are Excel Temp Files Stored Windows 10?

Are you trying to find out where Excel temp files are stored on Windows 10? You've come to the right place! In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of where to find these temporary files, as well as how to clean them up and free up space on your computer. We'll also provide a few tips for backing up your files in case you ever need to access them in the future.

By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of where your Excel temp files are stored and how to manage them safely.

Excel Temp Files on Windows 10 are stored in the C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Temp folder.

The AppData folder is hidden by default, so you will need to make hidden files and folders visible in order to access this folder. To do this, open Windows Explorer, click on the View tab, then select the Hidden items checkbox.

Where are Temporary Excel Files Located on Windows 10?

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet application used to store and analyze data. Excel files are stored in a variety of formats, including XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, and more. Temporary Excel files are created when a user opens an existing Excel file or creates a new one.

When Excel is closed, these temporary files are automatically deleted. However, if you need to access these files, they can be found in certain locations on Windows 10. The default location for temporary Excel files on Windows 10 is the Temp folder. This folder can be found in the C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp directory.

The AppData folder is typically hidden, so you may need to enable the Show hidden files and folders option in File Explorer to view it. Once the Temp folder is open, you should be able to see a list of all the temporary files created by Excel. If the Temp folder doesn't contain the temporary Excel files you are looking for, you can use the Search feature in Windows 10 to locate them.

You can type in the file extension of the Excel file you are looking for, such as .xls or .xlsx, and it should show up in the search results. You can also search for the name of the Excel file you were working on.

Accessing the Temp Folder on Windows 10

The Temp folder on Windows 10 can be accessed by navigating to the C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp directory. To make it easier to access this folder, you can create a shortcut to it on the Desktop or in the Start menu. To do this, right-click on the Temp folder and select the "Send To" option. Then, select either "Desktop (create shortcut)" or "Start menu".

You can then use the shortcut to quickly access the Temp folder. Alternatively, you can also access the Temp folder by typing "%temp%" in the Windows 10 search bar. This should open up the Temp folder in File Explorer.

Deleting Excel Temp Files

You can delete any unnecessary temporary Excel files in the Temp folder by selecting them and pressing the Delete key. However, it is not recommended to delete these files unless you are sure they are no longer needed. Deleting temporary Excel files could cause problems with your computer if they are still being used by Excel.

Saving Excel Files in a Different Location

If you prefer to save your Excel files in a location other than the Temp folder, you can do so by selecting the "Save As" option in the File menu. You can then choose the desired location and click the "Save" button.

Where are Excel Autosave Files Stored?

Excel automatically saves files at regular intervals, which is known as Autosave. These files are stored in a folder called AutoRecover, which is located in the same directory as the Temp folder. To access the AutoRecover folder, you can open File Explorer, navigate to the C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp directory, and open the AutoRecover folder.

This folder contains all of the Autosave files created by Excel, which can be used to recover unsaved changes if Excel crashes or if you accidentally close the file without saving. The files are labeled with the name of the workbook and the date and time they were created.

Enabling Autosave

If Autosave is not enabled, you can turn it on by selecting the "Options" option from the File menu. Then, select the "Save" tab and check the box next to the "Save AutoRecover information every" option. This will enable Excel to save Autosave files at regular intervals.

Viewing Autosave Files

You can view the Autosave files by double-clicking on them. Excel will open the file in a new window, and you can view the changes that have been made since the last Autosave. You can then save the file if you would like to keep the changes, or discard the changes and close the file.

Where are Excel Backup Files Stored?

Excel also creates backup copies of files when you save them. These files are stored in a folder called Backup, which is located in the same directory as the Temp folder. To access the Backup folder, you can open File Explorer, navigate to the C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp directory, and open the Backup folder.

This folder contains all of the backup files created by Excel, which can be used to restore files if they become corrupted or damaged. The files are labeled with the name of the workbook and the date and time they were created.

Enabling Backups

If backups are not enabled, you can turn them on by selecting the "Options" option from the File menu. Then, select the "Save" tab and check the box next to the "Always create backup" option. This will enable Excel to create a backup copy of the file each time it is saved.

Viewing Backup Files

You can view the backup files by double-clicking on them. Excel will open the file in a new window, and you can view the changes that have been made since the last backup. You can then save the file if you would like to keep the changes, or discard the changes and close the file.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Excel Temp File?

An Excel temp file is a temporary file created by Microsoft Excel. It is used to store data while Excel is running, and is usually automatically deleted when Excel is closed. Excel temp files are typically given a filename that begins with "~$" and ends with ".tmp".

2. What is the Purpose of Excel Temp Files?

Excel temp files are used to store data related to the current session of Microsoft Excel. They are created when Excel is running and are used to save data that can be recovered if Excel crashes or is closed unexpectedly.

3. Where Are Excel Temp Files Stored Windows 10?

The default location for Excel temp files in Windows 10 is C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\Temp. Files stored in this location can be accessed by typing "%temp%" into the Windows search bar.

4. How Do I Find Excel Temp Files?

Excel temp files can be found by typing "%temp%" into the Windows search bar, or by navigating to the default location of C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\Temp.

5. Can I Delete Excel Temp Files?

In general, it is safe to delete Excel temp files. However, it is recommended to make a backup of any important files before deleting them.

6. What Are the Benefits of Deleting Excel Temp Files?

Deleting Excel temp files can help to free up disk space, improve system performance, and help to prevent the spread of viruses. It can also improve the performance of Excel, as the program won't need to save data to a temp file every time it's used.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to where Excel temp files are stored on Windows 10, the answer is that they are located in the %temp% folder. This folder can be accessed by typing %temp% in the search bar of the File Explorer. Once the folder is opened, you can find the Excel temp files stored there. It is important to note that these files will be automatically deleted after a certain period of time. Therefore, if you need to save these files, you must do so manually.