Storage Sense is Windows’ built-in way to automatically reclaim space on the system drive. In Windows 11, turn it on at Start > Settings > System > Storage, then open its settings to choose when it runs and what it can remove. Review the Downloads and Recycle Bin rules carefully: those can permanently delete files.
Turn on Storage Sense and choose when it runs
- Open Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Turn Storage Sense on.
- Select Storage Sense to open its settings.
- Under Run Storage Sense, choose how often it should run. Scheduled runs require the device to be online and you to be signed in.
Microsoft’s Storage Sense support instructions cover Windows 11 and Windows 10; the exact labels and path may vary by release. Storage Sense is off by default. If the PC reaches low storage and you have not used the feature, Windows may turn it on for selected temporary files and notify you. The Storage page’s capacity bar turns red when Windows considers disk space low; the threshold depends on drive size and minimum operating requirements.
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Choose what Storage Sense can clean
With default settings, Storage Sense runs when the device is low on disk space and removes unnecessary temporary files. It also applies the selected Recycle Bin rule. It does not clean Downloads or cloud files unless you configure those options.
Recycle Bin
Choose how long items can remain in the Recycle Bin before Storage Sense deletes them. Deletion here is not just moving files elsewhere: review the retention period before enabling automatic cleanup, especially if you use the Recycle Bin as a recovery buffer.
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Downloads
Downloads is not cleaned unless you opt in. If you enable it, select the age threshold for files to remove. Check the folder first; it may contain documents or installers you still need.
Temporary files
Windows can remove unnecessary temporary files automatically. The standard low-space behavior does not mean every category of personal file is removed; the specific folders and age limits you select determine the more consequential cleanup rules.
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Configure cloud files without deleting them
If cloud-storage options appear, Storage Sense can remove a local copy of an inactive OneDrive file to free space while retaining it in the cloud. The file becomes online-only, not permanently deleted. It needs an internet connection to open, and files marked Always keep on this device are exempt. With network access and enough local space, an online-only file can be downloaded again.
Microsoft says that beginning with Windows 11 version 22H2, the default for OneDrive cloud files is to make files online-only when they have not been opened for more than 30 days. This is a version-specific default, not a guarantee for every Windows release or configuration. Cloud settings appear only when you are signed in to a cloud account. See Microsoft’s explanation of Storage Sense and cloud files and OneDrive Files On-Demand.
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Know which drive it manages
Storage Sense works on the Windows system drive, usually C:. Microsoft states, “Storage Sense works on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to as C:.” To review or manage another drive, go to the separate Storage used on other drives area in Storage settings; do not assume the Storage Sense schedule applies to every attached drive.
Fix common issues and free more space
- It has not run: You must be signed in and online for more than 10 minutes for Storage Sense to run. Check the frequency you selected and whether the PC met those conditions.
- A cloud option is missing: Confirm you are signed in to a cloud account and are on the Storage Sense settings page. Options can also differ by Windows release.
- The system drive is still full: Use Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations to review suggested items before selecting them. Microsoft documents Cleanup recommendations and other ways to free space.
Other cleanup routes are separate from Storage Sense: Disk Cleanup is a manual Windows utility; OneDrive Files On-Demand controls which cloud files are stored locally; and moving files to external storage requires you to move them yourself and keep that storage available when you need the files.
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