Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 18, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
As you work with Word, you may decide to turn on the AutoSave function, which causes Word to save your changes periodically. In saving these changes to disk, temporary disk files are created. (Makes sense, right?) Unfortunately, it is possible for these files to remain on the disk after you finish using Word.
Once you exit out of Word, it is okay to delete any TMP files or ASD files that may remain on your disk. Take a look in your TEMP directory and in any directories where you store Word documents. If you find any such files, feel free to delete them, thereby freeing up space on your hard drive.
You can find more information about how Word uses temporary files at this web page:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/211632/description-of-how-word-creates-temporary-files
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10440) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Periodically Delete TMP Files.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!
When you save your documents, you can specify that they be saved in a "read-only" format so that they cannot be changed ...
Discover MoreWant to control the name and location of your document backup? Here are some ideas that may help.
Discover MoreVBA includes some commands that you can use to read information from text files (non-Word documents). These commands can ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments