How to Delete Windows Temp CAB Files?

Temporary files are common files created while running a process on Windows. However, they are of no use once the process ends. That said, CAB files temporary files, hardly removed by the user. 

While these files appear to have no impact on your PC’s performance, they do affect the storage and overall speed of the computer. This means it becomes crucial for a user to keep cleaning these files, or else it might reflect on the PC’s health.

Fortunately, some ways can enable you to delete CAB temporary files on Windows. 

In this post, let us look at these files, their importance on the PC, their impact on your system’s performance, and most importantly, how to get rid of temp CAB files on Windows.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

What are Temp CAB Files?

The CAB or cabinet files on Windows are used to store compressed system files. Entities like Windows Package Installers, Theme Packs, Device Installers, APIs, setups, etc., use this format as it allows lossless compression to maintain archive integrity with the help of embedded digital certificates. 

The OS directly uses these files, which means as a user, you never have to interact with such files. All in all, CAB files hold a library of useful files and information the operating system uses.

While these processes run in the background, there are several temporary file libraries created in the CAB format. These files are called temp CAB files and are of no use to the user or the OS after the process is over. 

Can You Delete Temp CAB Files? Where to Find CAB Temp Files?

Since every definition of CAB files defines them as a Windows operating system component, users get confused about whether to delete the temporary CAB files or not. 

If you, too, are confused, let us bust the bubble for you! YES, you can delete these temporary CAB files as they are of no use to the OS after a process is over. Sure, they do have a significant role to play when the installation process of any application is ongoing. However, these files are nothing less than a paperweight and can be easily removed when unnecessary. 

That is why, later in the post, you will find out that there are no warnings when you try to delete temp CAB files. If these were of any importance for the operating system, Microsoft would have kept them away from a regular user’s reach, just like they did with the System32 files.

Right now, you can easily find these files in the temporary directory that can be found at the following location in the Explorer – 

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


Also, you can easily access the temporary files folder using the run command – 

%temp%

In the Run search. (Windows+R key)

While these files are useless, they sure serve as a load on the storage of your PC. Not to mention, since these files can interact with the OS, they may impact the speed and efficiency, too. Hence, getting rid of them is the best way to handle them.

5 Ways to Delete Temp CAB Files

Now that you know enough about these files, let’s look at some ways to remove them completely from your system. 

Method 1 – Find and Delete the Temp CAB Files Manually

You can go the manual route if you plan to do this regularly. It is quite simple to finish as all you have to do is – 

Step 1 – Go to the Explorer and use the C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp address to reach the temporary directory on your computer.

Step 2 – Look for the .CAB files in the folder.

Step 3 – Select and Press Shift+Del to remove these files forever. 

The only downside of this method is that it might get tricky to find and delete specific files manually. This can only be done if you only have a handful of files to delete. 

Method 2 – Create a Batch File to Delete Multiple CAB Files at Once

This one is a bit more advanced procedure than the previous one but is more effective. Instead of looking for CAB files manually (like looking for a needle in a haystack), you can create a batch file to remove all of them instantly. 

To create the file, use the following steps – 

Step 1 – Go to the start menu and open the Notepad application

Step 2 – In the Notepad, write the following lines of code or select them to copy and paste. (Use Ctrl+C to copy & Ctrl+V to paste) 

@echo off

runas>nul

echo Removing archives Temp...

del /f C:WindowsTemp*.*

echo Fixing Windows!!!

del /f C:WindowsLogsCBS*.log

echo Done!

pause

Step 3 – After you have copied the code, save this file. You can find the save option in the File tab of the Notepad Window. Use the option Save As to initiate the process. 

Step 4 – Name the file Delete CAB files.bat and set the type of file to All Files

Step 5 – After saving the file, head to the folder where you have saved the file. Right-click on it and click on the Run as administrator option to run the file. 

Step 6 – This will open the file in the command prompt Window. You can now follow the instructions shown in CMD to finish the process. 

Read Also: Computer Maintenance Tips and Checklist for Beginners

Method 3 – Initiate Storage Sense on Windows

Another way to remove CAB temp files from your Windows PC is by using the internal storage managing tool Storage Sense. This will automate the process of cleaning the temporary files.

Step 1– Press Windows + I to open System Settings

Step 2 – In System Settings, you may find a dedicated option for Storage

Step 3 – In Storage options, you may find the Storage Sense under the Storage Management Category.

Step 4 – Turn the toggle On and click on it to open configuration options.

Step 5 – You can check the configuration of when and how the Storage sense will work on clearing temporary files. You can also run Storage Sense Now, which will instantly initiate the process. 

The best part is that it can scheduled, and the process will commence automatically. If you use your PC a lot, this can be a good option. 

Method 4 – Use CMD Commands to Delete CAB Temp Files

Another advanced way of removing these files is by using the command prompt. Here’s how you can do so – 

Step 1 – Go to the Start menu and search for Command Prompt

Step 2 – Open the utility by clicking on the Run as Administrator option 

Step 3 – In the command prompt, use the following commands one after the other (hit enter after each line).

net stop wuauserv

cd %systemroot%

rename

SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

rmdir /q /s c:windowstemp

net stop trustedinstaller

c:

cd c:windowslogsCBS

del *.cab

del *.log

rem regenerate cab files

c:windowssystem32wuauclt.exe /detectnow

net start wuauserv

These commands help you find and remove CAB temp files from your PC. These files usually appear due to a compressor bug. Thanks to these commands, you can also get rid of such bugs from your PC using the same. 

Method 5 – Use a System Optimizer to Get Rid of Unnecessary Temp Files

Last but certainly not least, Advanced System Optimizer can be a perfect fit for these Temp CAB files. For those unaware, Advanced System Optimizer is a dedicated software that works on your PC and boosts its performance by clearing all the bugs, removing unnecessary files, and tuning the available resources to their best capabilities. 

Running a simple system scan might resolve all your issues if your PC is getting slow. How to do it, you ask? Well, there are easy steps that you can follow – 

Step 1 – Go to the following link and download the installer for the software.

Step 2 – Use the downloaded file to install Advanced System Optimizer on your PC. 

Step 3 – When the application is ready, click the green Start Smart PC Care button.

Step 4 – This will instantly initiate the system scan, which will examine your PC for – 

• Disk Performance Errors
• Unwanted Files on PC
• Security Issues and Alerts
• Outdated/Corrupt Drivers
• Registry Issues With the OS

Step 5 – Let the scan finish, and you may find a result screen with an Optimize button ready. 

Step 6 – Click on the Optimize button to optimize the PC, which includes removing unwanted files such as temp log files and temp CAB files. 

Step 7 – Once the process ends, we recommend you restart the PC to experience the changes. 

This scan hardly takes effort from the user, as you only have to initiate it. The best part is using the PC while the scan runs in the background.

Review: Advanced System Optimizer – A Must-Have App For Your Windows PC

Deleting CAB Files SIMPLIFIED!

You can choose any one of the 5 methods above, and you should be OK. If your primary concern with deleting the temp CAB files is a degradation in the PC’s performance, we recommend Advanced System Optimizer. This best PC optimization tool will not only remove those files but also check for other anomalies in the system.

You can also rely on Storage Sense, as it can be an excellent tool to assist you with best practices related to PC storage. 

Hope all of these methods serve you well. Let us know in the comments if you face any difficulties while following the steps shared. We will be more than happy to help! 

That’s all for this post. Thanks for reading. Good luck!

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