Temporary files are short-term files created by software applications to store data temporarily while a task is being performed. These files help improve performance by allowing programs to access data quickly without needing to recreate it each time. Examples of temporary files include cache files, installation files, and files created during software updates. Once the task is completed, many applications automatically delete these temporary files. However, some may remain on the system, taking up storage space. Users can manually delete these files to free up space and improve system performance, often using built-in tools like Disk Cleanup on Windows or Finder on macOS.