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How to Clean Up a Windows PC With Built-In Tools

Use Windows 11 Storage settings, Cleanup recommendations, Storage Sense, and Disk Cleanup to free space while protecting files you may need.
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On Windows 11, start at Settings > System > Storage. Review what is taking up space, then use Cleanup recommendations to choose items to remove. For cleanup that runs automatically, configure Storage Sense; for more manual file-category controls, use Disk Cleanup. Check each selection before deleting it, especially previous Windows installation files, which remove the option to roll back to the prior version.

1. See what is using storage

Open Settings > System > Storage. Windows groups storage use into categories such as installed apps, temporary files, and system and reserved storage. Use this view to identify where space is going before you remove anything. The exact categories and navigation can vary by Windows version; Microsoft’s Storage settings in Windows page covers the available view.

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2. Review Cleanup recommendations

In Storage settings, open Cleanup recommendations if it appears. Windows may suggest temporary files, large or unused files, cloud files, and apps you do not use. Review the items and the potential space savings shown, select only what you intend to remove, and use the cleanup control for the relevant category. Recommendations depend on what Windows finds on the device.

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Be especially cautious with Previous Windows installation(s) if it appears: removing these files deletes the files needed to return to the previous Windows version, and Microsoft says the action cannot be undone. Keep them if you may need that rollback. See Microsoft’s Free up drive space in Windows guidance for details.

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3. Choose the right built-in cleanup tool

Tool How cleanup works Control and scope
Storage Sense Can run automatically under the conditions you configure. Works on the system drive. Its settings determine whether and when it manages Recycle Bin contents, Downloads, or cloud files.
Cleanup recommendations You manually review suggested categories and select what to remove. Shows suggested files or apps and potential savings before you choose.
Disk Cleanup You manually select file categories for removal. Offers a Clean up system files option for additional categories; useful when Storage Sense is unavailable or you want category-level control.

These tools are not interchangeable in every detail. Choose manual review when you want to inspect suggestions first; use Storage Sense only after checking its automatic behavior. Microsoft’s guides to Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup and freeing drive space explain their controls.

4. Configure Storage Sense carefully

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense. Windows 11 labels and available settings can change by version, so read the options on your screen before enabling or adjusting them. Microsoft’s Storage Sense instructions describe the controls.

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  • By default, Storage Sense runs when the device is low on disk space and removes selected temporary files.
  • Recycle Bin files can be deleted according to the age setting you choose. If you rely on the Recycle Bin as a safety net, check this setting.
  • Downloads and cloud content are not managed by default. They may be included if you configure the relevant settings, so do not assume they are protected after changing the defaults.
  • Storage Sense works on the system drive, not as a general cleanup tool for every drive or folder.

For Windows 11, version 22H2 and later behavior covered by Microsoft’s documentation, eligible OneDrive cloud files can default to online-only after they have not been opened for more than 30 days. This does not permanently delete those cloud files, and files marked Always keep on this device are exempt. Check your settings if you need a file available offline.

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5. Run Disk Cleanup when you want file-category controls

  1. Open Start or Windows Search, type Disk Cleanup, and open the app.
  2. Choose the drive to clean, then select OK.
  3. Review the file categories and their displayed sizes. Select only categories whose contents you are willing to remove, then choose OK and confirm.
  4. For additional categories, choose Clean up system files, select the drive if prompted, and review the refreshed list before confirming.

A previous Windows installation may be listed among system files. Deleting it removes the ability to roll back to the previous Windows version; Microsoft says that deletion cannot be undone. Disk Cleanup’s labels and categories can vary with Windows version and what is present on the PC. See Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup guidance.

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6. Move files you want to keep instead of deleting them

If personal files are using space, move ones you want to keep to another drive or an external storage device such as a USB flash drive or SD card. External storage is optional; it is not required to use Windows cleanup tools. You can also change the destination drive for new content in Storage settings. Microsoft’s low disk space guidance covers moving files and other options.

7. If the PC is slow, check more than storage

Freeing space can help when a drive is nearly full and can make room for Windows updates, but deleting temporary files alone does not guarantee a faster PC. Microsoft’s performance guidance recommends checking for Windows updates, running a malware scan, reviewing startup apps, and uninstalling apps you recognize and no longer need. Older hardware may not improve significantly from these steps.

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  • Review startup apps in Settings > Apps > Startup and turn off only apps you do not need to launch when you sign in.
  • Run a scan with Windows Security if you suspect malware.
  • Uninstall apps you recognize and no longer use. Microsoft’s app removal instructions cover Windows options.

Microsoft estimates that feature updates may need 6–11 GB or more and quality updates 2–3 GB or more; these are typical estimates, not guaranteed requirements, and actual space needs vary. See Free up space for Windows updates.

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8. Leave drive optimization to Windows in most cases

Do not run manual defragmentation indiscriminately. Windows generally schedules drive optimization automatically, with a default schedule of once a week. The operation depends on drive type: defragmentation is for hard disk drives (HDDs), while solid-state drives (SSDs) use trim. Microsoft says, “For the most part, Windows automatically optimizes your data drives to maintain performance.” Review Defragment and Optimize Drives only if you need to check the schedule or drive status; see Microsoft’s drive optimization guidance.

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Safety checks before you clean

  • Use Windows cleanup controls rather than manually deleting files from Windows system folders.
  • Inspect the categories and selected items before confirming removal.
  • Keep previous Windows installation files if you might need to return to the prior version.
  • Check Storage Sense settings before allowing it to manage Recycle Bin, Downloads, or cloud files.

If space keeps disappearing unusually quickly after cleanup, treat that as a separate low-disk-space problem rather than repeatedly deleting files without checking the cause. Microsoft’s low disk space troubleshooting includes additional cases such as a rapidly filling Temp folder.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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