Temporary File
Temporary & DownloadsTMP is a temporary-file convention, not one document format. It may contain cache, working data or recovery state. Unreadability does not establish that it is disposable; inspect producer, location and timestamps, and prefer the app’s recovery workflow.
- What it is used for
- Working data, cache or recovery information
- What the file contains
- Partial / temporary data
All sections, questions and sources
Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai
Opening steps
Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.
Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.
Troubleshooting by symptom
- Locked file: an app may be using it; save work and close normally.
- Renaming fails: identify the actual format/app-specific recovery structure.
- Growing size: inspect active work/sync/storage and preserve needed recovery data.
- Renamed TMP fails as DOCX: it may contain fragments or another structure; inspect producer recovery.
- Cannot delete: inspect active use rather than forcibly removing data being written.
- Missing edits: compare candidate contents, not timestamps alone, with saved source.
Save recovered work in its normal format
- Inspect the required candidate through the producer’s recovery feature.
- Save separately, reopen and compare the full result.
- Save recovered work through the producer and verify it; distinguish this from merely renaming temporary data.
Temporary files may not be complete source; merely renaming is not conversion.
Do not assume working data is a document
TMP supports many operations beyond document autosave; identify the producer before assuming normal document readability.
Fragments/caches are not necessarily complete source; use supported recovery rather than assuming renaming reconstructs work.
Source for these steps：Microsoft · Creating and Using a Temporary File / Microsoft · Common file name extensions in Windows
Recover before cleanup
Preserve candidate copies and inspect them through the producer; save recovered work separately and compare with source.
Complete operations and verify finished work/backups before cleaning up inactive temporary data.
Source for these steps：Microsoft · Creating and Using a Temporary File / Microsoft · Common file name extensions in Windows
Related-format differences
| Format | Main role | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| TMP / TEMP | Temporary working data | Identify purpose/producer |
| BAK | Backup suffix | Identify source format/recovery |
| Original document | Saved work | Verify content/backup |
Handling and security
Temporary data can contain credentials/private work; avoid unauthorized cloud uploads.
Questions and answers
Can I delete every TMP?
Check active use and recovery needs first.
Does renaming to DOCX restore it?
No; the contents are producer-dependent.
Is there one TMP viewer?
No; establish the producer.
Is TMP necessarily malicious?
The suffix does not establish trust; identify provenance/purpose rather than executing unknown data.
May I delete all such files for space?
They may include active/recovery data; verify saved work/backups and use supported cleanup.
Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
- Formal name
- Application-specific temporary file
- Steward / specification
- Originating application/OS
- MIME type
- Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.
Primary and official sources
- Official documentationCreating and Using a Temporary File
Shows temporary files as application-managed working data.
Microsoft · Link checked： - Platform documentationCommon file name extensions in Windows
Documents showing suffixes and distinguishes renaming from conversion.
Microsoft · Link checked：