Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup command can remove files you no longer need, but it cannot promise a 10 GB recovery. The amount depends on what is on your PC and which cleanup categories you select. On Windows 10 and 11, use cleanmgr /sageset:1 to review and save a cleanup profile, then cleanmgr /sagerun:1 to run it. Microsoft documents these switches, not a guaranteed result of 10 GB. Microsoft’s cleanmgr command reference lists both operating systems as supported.
What the Disk Cleanup command does
cleanmgr launches Disk Cleanup, which Microsoft describes as clearing unnecessary files from a computer’s hard disk. Its profile switches let you choose categories in a settings dialog and run those saved choices later. They do not specify a fixed amount of space to recover.
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The cleanup categories and the files available to remove vary by PC. The commands below are documented for Windows 10 and Windows 11; what appears in the dialog can also vary with the Windows release and installed cleanup handlers.
Set up and run a Disk Cleanup profile
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Open the Run dialog with Windows key + R, or open Command Prompt. Enter
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In Disk Cleanup Settings, review the categories shown and select only those you are comfortable removing. The dialog describes the categories available on your installation. Do not assume every category is safe to delete for your needs.
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Select OK to save the selected cleanup tasks under profile 1. This command configures the profile; it does not itself guarantee a particular amount of recovered space.
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When you want to run the saved choices, enter
cleanmgr /sagerun:1in Run or Command Prompt. Microsoft says this switch enumerates all drives and applies the selected profile to each, so it is not limited to one drive.Quick wins for a faster PC:
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Microsoft also documents cleanmgr /tuneup:1, which runs the setup and execution steps for the same profile. For the most control, use the separate setup and run commands so you can review the available categories before executing them. See the command reference for the documented switches.
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Will it free 10 GB?
Possibly on a particular PC, but 10 GB is not a typical or guaranteed result established by Microsoft’s command documentation. The available cleanup categories and their sizes depend on the device. A 10ZiG example from 2024 showed up to 2.34 GB available on a Windows 10 IoT LTSC 2021 thin client, including 2.30 GB in device driver packages; that is a vendor’s specific example, not a benchmark for ordinary PCs. 10ZiG’s example should not be used to predict what another computer will recover.
Check the space estimate shown by Windows for your own device and read each category before selecting it. If the freed space is temporary, it may not last: Microsoft notes that temporary storage can fill quickly again in some cases. Its drive-space guidance includes troubleshooting for that situation.
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Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense?
Choose Disk Cleanup when you want to review categories manually and save a profile you can run again. Storage Sense is a Settings-based alternative that can automate certain cleanup tasks. Their behavior differs, so check the options before enabling deletion.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Option | How it works | Drive and file considerations |
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Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) |
Manually review categories, save them in a profile, and run the selected tasks with /sagerun:n. |
/sagerun:n applies the profile to all enumerated drives. Available categories depend on the PC. |
| Storage Sense | Settings-based cleanup; by default, it can run when the device is low on space and remove unnecessary temporary files and Recycle Bin contents after a period. | It works on the system drive. Downloads and cloud-provider files are not affected by default, but settings can be changed. |
Turn on Storage Sense in Settings
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Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage, then open Storage Sense. Labels may vary slightly by Windows release.
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Review its schedule and file-removal options. The default behavior described by Microsoft includes unnecessary temporary files and Recycle Bin items after a period when the device is low on disk space.
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Before changing options, consider the consequences: enabling cleanup for Downloads can remove files you meant to keep, and changing cloud-file settings can make files online-only. Microsoft says these locations are not touched by default.
Storage Sense manages the system drive; configure other drives separately in Storage settings. Microsoft’s instructions for Windows 10 and 11 are in Manage drive space with Storage Sense.
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Microsoft recommends Storage Sense and Cleanup recommendations for freeing space, and also describes Disk Cleanup. In its update guidance, Microsoft mentions using an external storage device with at least 10 GB free as one option for addressing update space needs. That is an update-related option, not a requirement for running Disk Cleanup or a promise that cleanup will recover 10 GB. See Microsoft’s Windows update storage guidance.
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