How to Recover Files from Temp Folder? (2024)

This article will be worth reading in helping you recover files from temp folder, including common files and temp files.

Lora

By Lora / Updated on January 2, 2024

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How can I recover my deleted files in Temp folder?

Have you used Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., and abruptly the system crashed or shut down? It happened all of a sudden, making no time for you to save your modified content.

To recover unsaved Excel files/PowerPoint files, etc., except for turning to the AutoSave feature, you could also try to recover files from temp folder, which won't be that helpful but worth trying.

Then what are temp files?

What is a temp file?

A temp file, aka a temporary file, is created by certain apps or the system to temporarily store the info of the apps or programs you use.

You could find some characteristics in the name of the temp files, which vary from the application.

Windows OS usually generates a temporary file with a ".tmp" extension, while some Microsoft apps, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., will create a temp file named with a "$" and "~" symbol.

temp-files

Some apps don't delete temp files regularly, which may accelerate daily and occupies a large proportion of users' storage space. Some Microsoft Excel users will wonder where does Excel save temp files; actually, Excel also has a temp folder. 

Then many users choose to delete them manually to free up some space. But some may have accidentally deleted their useful temp files and are seeking methods to recover deleted temp files.

How do I find temporary files in Windows 10?

Where do temporary files go? How can you access the temp files? At this time, you need to head over to the temporary file directory, where all temp files are stored.

The temp file path in Windows 10/8/7/Vista:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp

Using Windows XP, visit:

Local Settings\Temp

In this folder, you can find all the temp files created by Windows OS or specific utilities, which could be an option for users who have lost files in a short time.

recover-files-from-temp-folder

Methods to recover files from temp folder

How to recover files from AppData local temp directory? As mentioned above, perhaps users have deleted temp files by mistake; or users pin their hope on the temporary folder to see if their lost files are still there.

With this, there might be two possible circumstances: you need to recover deleted temp files, or you want to recover lost files from temp folder.

Recover temp files Check disk file system > Select recovery mode & switches > Run winfr > type recovery command... Full Guide
💯Recover deleted or lost files Run MyRecover > Scan disk for deleted or lost files > Select them and restore ... Full Guide

Scenario 1. If you need to recover temp files

First of all, head over to the Recycle Bin. If you found deleted files not in Recycle Bin, or you have already emptied the Recycle Bin, then they might be permanently gone.

Also, the standard methods like restoring previous versions of files could not help because this feature only stores the copies of Libraries, Desktop, Contact, etc.

file-history-content

Without a tool, it will be challenging to recover permanently deleted files. Here we suggest you utilize a Microsoft official free tool – Windows File Recovery.

It is a command-line application to recover lost or deleted files from healthy/corrupted/formatted hard drives. But please note that it uses commands and offers no graphical user interface, which will be a challenge for ordinary users.

Check for the Windows File Recovery user guide to learn the recovery modes and switches.  

Step 1. Go to This PC > right-click on the C drive > click Properties and check the file system.

check-file-system

Step 2. Choose a recovery mode.

File system Scenarios mode
NTFS Deleted recently Regular
NTFS Deleted for a while Extensive
NTFS Formatted disk Extensive
NTFS corrupted disk Extensive
FAT and exFAT Any Extensive

Step 3. Select switches to help you specify the scanning range.

Switches Meaning Supported mode(s)
/n Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. All
/y: Recovers specific extension groups. Signature
/k Recovers system files. NTFS Segment​​​​​
/segment Segment mode; recovers files under NTFS drives using file record segments. Segment
/signature Signature mode; recovers files under all file system types using file headers. Signature
/u Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. NTFS Segment

Step 4. Go to Microsoft Store > click Get > run the app.

microsoft-store-get

Step 5. Input the command:

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

For instance, input:

winfr C: D: /regular /n *.tmp

winfr-regular-tmp

You can restore all .tmp files from the C drive to the D drive using this command. When meeting any errors, refer to the Windows File Recovery troubleshooting tutorial.

You could also restore temporary files using a reliable data recovery app if you find it too difficult. Check the following method.

Scenario 2. If you need to recover lost or deleted files

If you have lost files on the computer and learned that you could recover files from the temp folder, follow the instructions here.

As mentioned in the above parts, you could tap on Win+E to open This PC > input the directory in the path box > press Enter to access the temp folder.

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp

But this method has a limited effect, only storing the temporary files for a short time, and the filename will be modified, and you cannot tell which one you need.

Given that, instead of trying hard to restore files from temp folder, you would better seek help from a professional Windows data recovery tool. With an advanced tool, the data recovery rate will be higher, and the data recovery process will be more straightforward.

MyRecover, embedded with advanced scanning algorithms and techs, scans the hard disk for deleted and missing files from HDD/SSD/USB, etc.; you could also use it to perform SD card recovery.

Easy. It offers an intuitive user interface that applies to all users without expertise. 
Efficient. It supports 200+ types of data, e.g., photos, videos, docs, zip files, etc., meeting your specific demands. 
Comprehensive. It applies to data loss due to deletion, formatting, recycle bin emptying, system crash, etc. 
Compatible. It supports multiple Windows operating systems: Windows 11/10/8/7/Server.

Now download the software to recover deleted and missing files easily.

Download SoftwareWin 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Step 1. Install and run the software > select the affected drive/partition > Start Scan.

select-location-to-scan

Step 2. While scanning, you could input extensions in the search box or use filters to target your files faster.

scanning-drive

Step 3. Select the files you need > click Recover x files to get your files back.

select-files-to-restore

If you want to recover deleted temp files, you could also use this tool. Go to the temp folder > select temp files you need > click Recover x files.

select-temp-files-to-restore

In this way, you could recover files from temp folder. What's more, it can retrieve data from formatted hard drive.

FAQ about temp files

Check out the methods to recover files from temp folder and restore lost standard files in the post. For a high success rate and convenience, it is recommended to rely on an efficient data rescue utility to restore temporary files.

If you still have more questions about temp files, here is the Q&A corner.

Lora
Lora · Editor
Lora is an editor of AOMEI Technology. She is also a tester and editor of AOMEI Data Recovery Tools. -- "Keep testing, write the most useful tutorials for helping people recover the lost data for Windows and phones" is the most meaningful thing for her. Dedicated to creating helpful tutorials, she hopes her tutorial can assist users to effortlessly solve data loss problems on their personal computers and mobile phones.