How to Clear Excel Temporary Files and Cache to Improve Stability

Excel can become slow or unstable when temporary files and cache data accumulate. These files are created during normal operation but are not always cleaned up properly. This article explains what these files are and how to safely delete them. You will learn the manual steps to clear this data and improve Excel’s performance.

What Excel Temporary Files and Cache Are

Excel creates several types of temporary data to help it run. Understanding what each type does helps you know what to delete. Temporary files, often starting with a tilde (~) or a dollar sign ($), are working copies of your open workbooks. Excel uses them for auto-recovery and to manage unsaved changes. If Excel closes unexpectedly, these files can remain and cause conflicts when you reopen the program.

The Office File Cache is different. It stores information about files you have recently opened from cloud services like OneDrive or SharePoint. This cache includes thumbnails and file properties to make the Open dialog load faster. Over time, this cache can grow large or become outdated, leading to slower performance or errors when browsing for files. Clearing it forces Excel to rebuild the cache with fresh data.

Locations of Temporary Data

These files are stored in specific folders on your Windows system. The main location is your user’s Temp folder, accessible by typing %temp% in the Run dialog. Excel also places temporary files in a subfolder often named something like “Excel8.0” within this directory. The Office File Cache is stored in a separate, hidden system folder, typically under C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache. You need to close all Office applications before accessing these folders.

Steps to Manually Clear Temporary Files and Cache

Follow these steps in order. Ensure you have saved and closed all your Excel workbooks and other Office applications like Word or Outlook before you begin.

1. Close all Office applications
   Save your work and exit Excel completely. Also close Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and any other Microsoft 365 apps. Check the system tray near the clock to make sure no Office icons are running in the background.
2. Open the Windows Temp folder
   Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type %temp% and press Enter. This opens your user-specific temporary files folder in File Explorer.
3. Delete temporary files
   In the Temp folder, press Ctrl + A to select all files and folders. Right-click on the selection and choose Delete. If you see a message saying some files are in use, click “Skip” for those files. Do not force delete files that are in use by Windows.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin
   The deleted files go to the Recycle Bin. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select “Empty Recycle Bin” to permanently remove them and free up disk space.
5. Clear the Office File Cache
   Open File Explorer and paste this path into the address bar: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache. Press Enter. Select all items in this folder and delete them. If the folder does not exist, your version of Office may not be using this specific cache.

Using Disk Cleanup for System-Wide Removal

For a broader clean-up that includes system temporary files, use the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool.

1. Launch Disk Cleanup
   Type “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows Start menu search bar and select the app. Choose your main drive (usually C:) and click OK.
2. Select file types to clean
   In the Disk Cleanup dialog, check the boxes for “Temporary files” and “Temporary Internet Files.” You can also select “Recycle Bin” if you have not already emptied it. Click OK to proceed with the deletion.

Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid

Clearing temporary data is generally safe, but avoid these pitfalls to prevent data loss or system issues.

Deleting Files While Excel Is Running

If Excel or another Office app is open, its temporary files will be locked. Attempting to delete them may cause an error or, in rare cases, corrupt your open workbook. Always verify the application is fully closed via Task Manager if necessary. Look for processes like EXCEL.EXE and end them before cleaning the Temp folder.

Deleting the Wrong Files or Folders

Only delete files from the specific Temp and OfficeFileCache folders mentioned. Do not delete the main AppData folder or the entire Microsoft folder under Local. This could remove important settings and licenses for your Office applications. When in the %temp% folder, it is safe to delete the contents but not the folder itself.

Expecting It to Fix All Performance Issues

Clearing cache and temp files resolves issues related to file corruption, opening dialogs, and some launch errors. It will not fix problems caused by large workbook size, complex formulas, outdated drivers, or insufficient computer RAM. For those issues, you need other solutions like optimizing formulas or adding more memory.

Manual Deletion vs. Disk Cleanup vs. Third-Party Tools

Item	Manual Deletion	Windows Disk Cleanup	Third-Party Cleaner Apps
Control	High – you choose exact folders	Medium – uses predefined categories	Variable – depends on app settings
Safety	Safe if steps are followed	Very safe – Microsoft tool	Risk of deleting needed system files
Scope	Excel and Office cache only	System-wide temporary files	Often includes registry and browser data
Speed	Fast for targeted cleanup	Slower, scans entire drive	Can be slow with deep scans
Best For	Fixing specific Excel errors	General system maintenance	Users comfortable with advanced tools

You have now learned how to clear Excel’s temporary files and cache to resolve stability problems. Use the manual method in the %temp% folder when Excel crashes on startup or fails to open files. For general system slowness, run Windows Disk Cleanup periodically. A related action is to reset Excel’s registry settings by holding Ctrl while starting the program, which can fix other persistent issues.