.tmp vs .temp: Are They the Same?
Both extensions mean 'temporary', and in practice they behave the same way — throwaway data an app wrote mid-task. The difference is mostly which program picked which spelling.
Short answer: both mean a temporary file, and neither is a real format on its own — the extension is just a label. .tmp is the near-universal choice (Windows, Office, installers, browsers). .temp is the same idea, used by a smaller set of apps and scripts. There is no technical rule that makes .temp different from .tmp; the contents depend entirely on the program that wrote it.
Who makes them
- .tmp — Windows, Microsoft Office (e.g.
~$doc.tmp), installers, and countless apps that need scratch space. - .temp — some backup tools, custom scripts, and apps that simply spelled it out. Less common, same purpose.
Are they safe to delete?
Usually yes, when the program that made them is closed. A .tmp or .temp locked by a running app should not be forced — quit the app first and it often cleans up itself. Never assume the contents: a .tmp can be leftover junk or a mid-save copy of real work, so don't delete one belonging to a document you have open.
FAQ
Is .temp just a misspelling of .tmp?
Not a misspelling — both are valid 'temporary file' labels. .tmp is the common one; .temp is the same idea used by fewer programs. Neither is a fixed format.
Can I open a .tmp or .temp file?
You can try a text or hex editor to see what is inside, but the contents depend on the app that made it. Many are unreadable scratch data and are meant to be discarded.
Is it safe to delete .tmp and .temp files?
Generally yes once the creating program is closed. Don't delete one that a running app has locked, and don't delete a .tmp tied to a document you currently have open.