Temporary Files Folder - Change Location in Windows

How to Change Default Location of Temporary Files Folder in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

information   Information
Temporary files are files that are stored and used in the system and/or user TEMP and TMP folders temporarily while a task is being performed.

Temporary files can be created while, for example:

  • Installing programs, drivers, etc....
  • Created by Windows during normal usage when there may not be enough memory allocated for the task.
Once the task has finished, the temporary files are no longer needed. Usually the temporary files will be automatically deleted afterwards, but this is not always the case, and can lead to wasted disk space. If you have a small Windows drive, then space is most likely already tight.

This tutorial will show you how to change the default location of the TEMP files folder to any local drive location you like in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

Note   Note
System temporary files used by Windows are stored in the single hidden folder below by default.

  • %systemdrive%\Windows\Temp
User temporary files are stored in the hidden folder below by default. Each user account, has their own separate TEMP folder.

  • %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Temp

warning   Warning
You do not want to have all users share the same TEMP folder for security reasons.

You also do not want the system and users to share the same TEMP folder.




OPTION ONE

To Change Windows TEMP Folder Location in Environment Variables


1. If you have not already, create new separate Temp folders at the location you like to be used as the new user (ex: F:\Temp) and system (ex: F:\System\Temp) TEMP folders.​
NOTE: You will need these folders in steps 7 and 8 below.​
2. If you are signed in as a standard user, then press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, copy and paste the command below, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.​
rundll32 sysdm.cpl,EditEnvironmentVariables
3. If you are signed in as an administrator, then open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the System icon, close the Control Panel, and go to step 4 below.​
4. Click/tap on the Advanced system settings link on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
Change_Temp_Folder_Location-1.jpg
5. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).​
6. In the Advanced tab, click/tap on the Environmental Variables button, and do either or both steps 6 and 7 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​
Change_Temp_Folder_Location-2.jpg
7. To Change "User" TEMP Folder Location
NOTE: This will only change the user TEMP folder location for your user account.​
A) At the top under "User variables for (user-name)", select the TEMP variable, and click/tap on Edit. (see screenshot below)​
Change_Temp_Folder_Location-3.jpg
B) In only the Variable value field, type in the full path (ex: F:\Temp) of the user temp folder you created in step 1 above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
Change_Temp_Folder_Location-4.jpg
C) Repeat steps 7A and 7B above for the TMP variable.​
8. To Change "System" TEMP Folder Location
NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this step. This will change the system TEMP folder location for the Windows operating system.​
A) Under "System variables", scroll down a bit, select the TEMP variable, and click/tap on Edit. (see screenshot below)​
Change_Temp_Folder_Location-5.jpg
B) In only the Variable value field, type in the full path (ex: F:\System\Temp) of the system temp folder you created in step 1 above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
Change_Temp_Folder_Location-6.jpg
C) Repeat steps 8A and 8B above for the TMP variable.​
9. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 7A or 8A)​
10. If administrator, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)​
11. Restart the PC to apply.​






OPTION TWO

To Change Windows TEMP Folder Location in Registry Editor


NOTE: Standard users will only be able to change their user TEMP folder location using this option. Administrators will be able to change both their user TEMP folder location and the Windows system TEMP folder location using this option.
1. If you have not already, create new separate Temp folders at the location you like to be used as the new user (ex: F:\Temp) and system (ex: F:\System\Temp) TEMP folders.​
NOTE: You will need these folders in steps 5 and 6 below.​
2. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.​
3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).​
4. Do either or both steps 5 and 6 below for what you would like or able to do.​
5. To Change "User" TEMP Folder Location
NOTE: This will only change the user TEMP folder location for your user account.​
A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Environment
User_Temp_Folders_Registry-1.jpg
B) In the right pane of Environment, double click/tap on TEMP to modify it. (see screenshot above)​
C) Type in the full path (ex: F:\Temp) of the user temp folder you created in step 1 above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
User_Temp_Folders_Registry-2.jpg
D) Repeat steps 5B and 5C above for the TMP expandable string value.​
6. To Change "System" TEMP Folder Location
NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this step. This will change the system TEMP folder location for the Windows operating system.​
A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​
Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment
User_Temp_Folders_Registry-1.jpg

B) In the right pane of Environment, double click/tap on TEMP to modify it. (see screenshot above)​
C) Type in the full path (ex: F:\System\Temp) of the system temp folder you created in step 1 above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
User_Temp_Folders_Registry-2.jpg

D) Repeat steps 6B and 6C above for the TMP expandable string value.​

7. When finished, close Registry Editor.​
8. Restart the PC to apply.​




That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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Last edited by a moderator:
How to Change Default Location of Temporary Files Folder in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

hi
i changed the system and user temp and it was successfuly changed but still when i open edius installation file i see the error below :
78972040623503919509.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    eight
Hello Muiacir,

Do you have enough free space at the location you moved your temp folder?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
If you move the Temp file back to the default location, do you still have the same issue?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
The default is the same as the screenshots in the tutorial. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
In that case, see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before you had this issue may be able to help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I'm not sure what else to do other than freeing up enough space. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I'm not sure what else to do other than freeing up enough space. :(

as i know , according to the picture that i inserted in my first post , the error is the cause of that the temporary files will save to c drive , so when i freeing up the c drive , the installation file will work.
but my question is that why after changing the temp file into another drive , it still shows the error? is it possible that i should change location of another thing?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    eight
It wouldn't hurt to try another location.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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