Open Start > Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense, then open its settings to review what it can remove. To start a cleanup immediately, select Run Storage Sense now if that control appears. If you want to inspect suggested files before removing them, use Cleanup recommendations instead.
Turn on Storage Sense and run it now
- Open Start > Settings.
- Go to System > Storage.
- Turn Storage Sense on.
- Select Storage Sense to review its settings. On builds that show it, select Run Storage Sense now to start cleanup immediately. Labels and layout can vary slightly between Windows 11 releases. [Microsoft Support]
Storage Sense settings apply to the signed-in user; other users on the same PC can manage their own settings. The feature manages the Windows system drive, usually C:. To inspect other drives, open Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives. [Microsoft Support]
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Choose what Storage Sense can clean
On the Storage Sense settings page, review the options under Run Storage Sense, including how often it runs and the age thresholds for files in the Recycle Bin and Downloads. Downloads are not cleared by default: Storage Sense manages that folder only if you configure an age threshold. Avoid setting one unless you are comfortable with older downloaded files being removed.
With default settings, Storage Sense runs when Windows detects low disk space and removes unnecessary temporary files. What counts as low space depends on drive size and Windows’ operational thresholds, so it may not run on a schedule you expect. It also cannot run unless you are signed in and online for more than 10 minutes. [Microsoft Support]
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Recycle Bin and cloud files
The Recycle Bin setting is age-based, so check the selected threshold if you need to keep deleted files available for recovery. Cloud-content options appear when you are signed in to a cloud account. Under the configured conditions, Storage Sense may make cloud files online-only to free local space; it does not permanently delete them. They can be downloaded again when there is space and a network connection. Files marked Always keep on this device are exempt from Storage Sense management. [Microsoft Support]
Review files before a one-time cleanup
If you prefer to choose what gets removed, go to Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Windows groups suggested items into categories such as temporary files, large or unused files, cloud-synced files, and unused apps. Review the items and estimated space savings, select what you want to remove, then use the cleanup action for that category. [Microsoft Support]
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Previous Windows installation files are a separate cleanup choice, not ordinary temporary files. Removing them can prevent you from returning to the previous Windows version. Microsoft says the previous version may appear as a system file if the upgrade was fewer than 10 days ago; only remove it if you are sure you no longer need that installation. [Microsoft Support] [Microsoft Support]
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Return to Settings > System > Storage and check the space display. The amount reclaimed depends on the files available on your PC; Windows does not promise a typical amount. If Storage Sense is unavailable, Microsoft also documents Disk Cleanup, a built-in utility for selecting file types and system files. [Microsoft Support]
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If the drive is still low, other options include cleaning additional categories, moving personal files to external storage, or changing where new content is saved. These are separate capacity-management steps rather than Storage Sense settings. [Microsoft Support]
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