Telegram Files: Saved Where on Windows PC?

Here’s where Telegram saves files on your Windows PC and how to delete them:

By default, Telegram saves files on a PC according to the following file path:

C: > Users > [Your Username] > AppData > Roaming > Telegram Desktop.

If you want to delete any files, you can do it manually in the “Telegram Desktop” folder.

You can also automatically manage Telegram files, including cache files, through the app’s settings.

So if you want to learn all about Telegram’s files on a Windows PC, then this article is for you.

What Is Telegram All About?

Why even care about Telegram files in the first place?

Well, Telegram is a messaging platform that is used by many millions of people around the world.

It’s free to use, and it’s designed in a way that makes it accessible, universal, private, safe, and even ad-free (with some exceptions).

For these reasons and more, Telegram is popular, so you might be among the many who want to give it a try.

If you do, you’ll come across an important fact about Telegram. It’s designed around cloud features.

The entire service is in the cloud (with a few exceptions covered later), and that means you don’t have to download all of the conversations, pictures, videos, and everything else shared across the platform in order to access them. By default, Telegram saves its data in a subfolder within the downloads folder.

But, you can download items if you want, and that brings us to today’s topic.

I’m going to explain how Telegram saves files for anyone using Windows.

Then, I’ll show you how to manage those files, including how to delete them as you see fit.

How Does Telegram File Saving Work on Windows?

The first thing to know about Telegram is that it does not save a lot of data by default on the Windows operating system.

You can change these settings (which is covered in detail later), but unless you do, you mostly have to download files.

That’s not quite the whole story, though, so let me take a moment to be thorough.

Telegram, like any other app or program you install on your computer, will download a number of files in order to function.

These are system files, and they contain the core code that makes everything work.

These aren’t really the files I’m discussing today.

Instead, this is about optional files that you can download if you want.

That can include conversations, pictures, videos, and anything else that you want to save from your conversations on the app.

In order to manually save content, you can simply right-click on it and choose “save as” from the options.

A window will open that allows you to customize what you are saving.

This is similar to saving anything else on Windows.

In the window that pops up, you can name the thing you are saving, and you can choose exactly where it will create the save file.

By default, this process will save things to a folder called “Telegram desktop” which is under the “Windows” master folder on your computer.

If you want to see exactly where that is, right-click on a picture and click “save as” in Telegram.

At the top of the window, you will see the complete file directory.

It will start with “ThisPC” and have several other listings ending with “Telegram Desktop.”

That’s the exact place you can locate the image in your File Explorer app

Otherwise, you can follow this file path, if you’re comfortable with the convention:

C:Users[User]AppDataRoamingTelegram Desktop

If you change the location to save files in Telegram, it will remember, and whatever you choose will be the new default.

If you ever forget, you can use this same method to see where the information is saved.

Locating and Understanding Telegram Files

Telegram files are stored in various locations on your Windows PC, depending on the type of file and the settings you have configured. For instance, sent pictures are typically saved in the ~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/Pictures folder. On the other hand, received pictures are saved in a folder that you can configure via Settings > Download Path. By default, this is usually a subfolder within the system’s Download folder.

When you send a picture as a file, Telegram Desktop does not save the sent picture in a separate location. Instead, it holds the address of the picture. This means if you move or rename the picture, Telegram Desktop will need to download it again the next time you access it.

To find the folder location for received pictures, you can search for “Telegram Desktop” in your PC’s browser. Additionally, Telegram Desktop stores cached images and downloaded media in the cache folder, which can be found in the AppData folder (e.g., C:Users<username>AppDataLocalTelegram Desktoptdata).

Understanding where your Telegram files are stored can help you manage your files more effectively and troubleshoot issues related to file storage. Knowing these locations allows you to keep your files organized and ensures you can easily find and manage your downloaded media.

How Do You Delete the Telegram Files? (2 Ways)

Now that you know where to find files, I can show you how to delete them. 

For the most part, you have two options. 

You can clear the cache, or you can manually delete things.

Let’s go through each option together.

#1 Clear the Cache

The easiest way to manage Telegram files and clear out extra stuff you don’t want is to clear the cache. Clearing cache files can help manage system performance by freeing up RAM and enhancing CPU utilization.

With the app open, you can navigate to the settings.

From there, you want the “advanced” option.

That will give you a few more options, and you’re going to choose “data and storage.”

One more list comes up, and you can choose to “manage local storage.”

When you do, you will see the checklist of items you can clear out of your device using this feature.

You can check everything if you want to clear as much as possible, or you can clear some options while leaving others alone.

Here’s the thing to remember.

Whatever has a checkmark next to it will be cleared, so double check before you finalize the action.

When you clear the cache, Telegram deletes the files on your computer associated with everything you have checked.

This can include specific chats and other communication on the platform.

#2 Manually Delete Files

Sometimes, you might want to get rid of some files without clearing the cache. That also works.

Technically speaking, you can manually delete any Telegram file on your computer, but that’s not exactly a good idea. 

If you delete these files willy-nilly, you can easily break the app. 

If you do, you can reinstall the app, and that should fix it, but if you want to avoid that scenario, I have some advice.

Only worry about manually deleting from the “save as” folder that you select when you choose to download items from the app. 

So, if you stick with the default folder, only delete from the “Telegram Desktop” folder. 

If you change where things are saved, only delete items from that folder.

To do this, pull up File Explorer on your computer. 

Navigate to the folder that has the pictures or other items you want to manage. 

You can right-click on anything saved in that folder. 

When you do, there is an option to delete it. 

Click that option, and the file will move to the recycle bin.

That’s all it takes.

How Do You Manage Files on Telegram for PC? (2 Options)

That covers how to delete files on Telegram, but there’s a little more to the story.

Instead of just deleting files, you might want a little more control over how Telegram interacts with the Windows operating system to manage file saving altogether.

You’ll find that in these next two tips.

#1 Controlling Save Locations

I’ve already explained how to change the default save locations for manual saving. 

There’s one other thing you can do, and that happens when you install the app.

When you run through the installer, the window that walks you through the process will give you an option of where to save the app. 

If you don’t like the default location, you can change it to anything you choose. 

This is the other way to control where Telegram saves information by default.

#2 Managing Save Conditions

There’s another element to all of this. 

Telegram does have features that automatically save things from your chats if you want it to. 

You can manage all of this from the same “data and storage” settings that I showed you earlier

In those settings, you can pick and choose what items are automatically saved or not, making it easier to control everything so you don’t need as much manual effort.

Troubleshooting Telegram File Issues

If you’re experiencing issues with Telegram files, such as missing or corrupted files, there are several steps you can take to resolve these problems. First, try restarting the Telegram app or reinstalling it. This can often fix minor glitches and restore functionality.

Next, check the Download folder and the Telegram Desktop folder for any issues or conflicts with other files or folders. If you’ve uninstalled Telegram and reinstalled it, make sure to check the Download folder for any remaining files or folders that might be causing conflicts.

For issues with cached images or downloaded media, try clearing the cache folder or deleting the cached files. This can help resolve problems related to file storage and ensure that your Telegram app runs smoothly.

If you’re having trouble with sent or received pictures, check the folder location for received pictures or the ~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/Pictures folder. Ensuring these folders are correctly configured can help prevent issues with file access and storage.

If you’re still experiencing issues with file storage or management, try adjusting your settings in Telegram Desktop or seeking help from the Telegram support team. Troubleshooting Telegram file issues can help you resolve problems and ensure that your files are stored and managed correctly.

Best Practices for Telegram Files on Windows PC

To keep your Telegram files organized and avoid conflicts, it’s a good idea to regularly clean up your Download folder and the Telegram Desktop folder. This helps prevent clutter and ensures that your files are easy to find and manage.

Using the Disk Cleanup feature on Windows can also help remove temporary files, unwanted files, and preview Windows installation files. This can free up space on your computer and improve its performance.

Consider creating a shortcut to clear memory cache on Windows to free up computer RAM. This can help your system run more efficiently and prevent issues related to memory usage.

Adjust your settings in Telegram Desktop to configure the download path for received pictures and other files. You can do this by going to Settings > Download Path and selecting the folder location that works best for you.

Using a third-party utility, such as a file manager or a cache cleaner, can also help you manage your Telegram files and folders more effectively. These tools can provide additional features and options for organizing and maintaining your files.

Following these best practices for Telegram files on your Windows PC can help you manage your files more effectively and avoid issues related to file storage and management. By keeping your files organized and regularly cleaning up unnecessary files, you can ensure that your Telegram experience is smooth and trouble-free.

Author

  • Theresa McDonough

    Tech entrepreneur and founder of Tech Medic, who has become a prominent advocate for the Right to Repair movement. She has testified before the US Federal Trade Commission and been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, helping influence change within the tech industry.

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