Others

Why Microsoft Word Creates ~WRL0003.tmp Files and How to Delete Them

Ayan Masood Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to understand why a temporary file named ~WRL0003.tmp appears next to their Word documents and how it relates to the RuntimeBroker.exe process.

Why Microsoft Word Creates ~WRL0003.tmp Temporary Files

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Editing a document or using the clipboard to copy data within Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: A temporary file named ~WRL0003.tmp is generated in the same directory as the Word document, showing RuntimeBroker.exe as the originating process.

Before you start

Ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed before attempting to delete any temporary files, as deleting in-use files can cause unexpected application errors.

Solution 1Recommended

Safely Delete the Leftover ~WRL0003.tmp File

Manually remove the lingering clipboard temporary file after ensuring Microsoft Word is completely closed.

Files named ~WRL0003.tmp (or similar WRLxxx.tmp variations) are temporary clipboard files created by Microsoft Word when you copy or process data. Normally, Word deletes these automatically when the application is closed gracefully. If the file remains, it usually indicates that Word crashed, was forcefully closed, or shut down abnormally.

The involvement of RuntimeBroker.exe is completely normal system behavior. Runtime Broker is a core Windows process that manages permissions and security for applications, and it naturally interacts with Word's clipboard operations.

Close Microsoft Word

Save your current document and completely exit the Microsoft Word application.

Locate the Temporary File

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where your Word document (.docx) is saved. Look for the file named ~WRL0003.tmp.

Delete the File

Right-click the ~WRL0003.tmp file and select 'Delete' from the context menu, or simply click the file and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Safely Delete the Leftover ~WRL0003.tmp File

Frequent Leftover Files: If these temporary files frequently remain in your folders instead of deleting automatically, it may indicate underlying stability issues or frequent background crashes within your Microsoft Office installation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Smoother Document Experience

If frequent Word crashes are leaving cluttered temporary files across your system, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable environment for all your document needs without leaving unmanaged temporary junk files behind.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open Your Documents: Right-click your existing .docx files, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
3. Enjoy Stable Editing: Experience a smooth, crash-free editing process with automatic and clean background file management.

Seamlessly opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Word (.docx) formats without compatibility issues.Lightweight architecture minimizes unexpected crashes and orphaned temporary files.Familiar user interface makes transitioning from MS Office instant and effortless.Completely free to download and use for your daily document tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ~WRL0003.tmp file a virus or malware?

No, ~WRLxxx.tmp files are legitimate temporary clipboard files generated by Microsoft Word to handle copied data and memory operations safely.

Why does RuntimeBroker.exe appear as the originating process?

Runtime Broker is a core Windows system process that manages app permissions. It natively interacts with clipboard operations across the operating system, which is why it registers during Word's temporary file creation.

How can I stop Word from creating these .tmp files?

You cannot entirely stop Word from creating temporary files, as they are essential for memory management, clipboard storage, and features like 'Undo'. Ensuring Word closes properly is the best way to allow it to automatically clean up these files.

Can I recover my lost document data from a ~WRL0003.tmp file?

Typically, no. WRL files store temporary clipboard data, not the full document text. To recover document data, you should look for AutoRecovery files (.asd) or standard temporary files formatted as ~$filename.docx.

Office Quick Solutions