Storage question

This is for version 2021 on windows... your options may be different

YOUR locations will be set according to your installed drives
Every time I start a project I set my project and work files to F:\???
(Where F:\??? is an actual name created on my F drive with File Explorer)
(F is MY drive for temporary files, your drive letter may be different)
I work in EXPERT view to be able to control every aspect of my project
Click EDIT and then PREFERENCES and then SCRATCHDISKS
I set every one of the options to F:\Adobe (or whatever name I pick)
PrE then automatically creates sub-folders as needed
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Audio Previews
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Captured Audio
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Captured Video
F:\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements Video Previews
F:\Adobe\Encoded Files
F:\Adobe\Layouts
F:\Adobe\Peak Files

You can, but it is strongly advised not to do so.

As for the temp files you can direct them to and external drive.

You should be able to delete temp files manually.

Which version of Element

A mac person might want to chime in (I am windows).