If your Windows computer is running low on disk space, it can slow down your system and make it harder to store important files. One effective way to reclaim space and boost performance is by performing a Disk Cleanup. Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that helps you remove unnecessary files and free up valuable storage. In this guide, we’ll show you how to perform Disk Cleanup on your PC.
What is Disk Cleanup?
Disk Cleanup is a utility tool in Windows that scans your hard drive for temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary data that you can safely delete to free up storage space. It is designed to help you manage disk space and improve your system’s performance by removing items such as:
- Temporary files
- Cache files from web browsers
- System error memory dump files
- Files in the Recycle Bin
- Windows update files
- Log files
Running Disk Cleanup regularly ensures your computer stays lean and fast, and it prevents storage from filling up with junk files.
How to Access Disk Cleanup in Windows
Step 1: Open Disk Cleanup
There are multiple ways to open the Disk Cleanup tool in Windows. Here are the most common methods:
Method 1: Via the Start Menu
- Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type Disk Cleanup in the search bar and select the Disk Cleanup app from the search results.
Method 2: Via the Run Dialog
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type cleanmgr and press Enter. This will open the Disk Cleanup tool directly.
Method 3: Via File Explorer
- Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E.
- Right-click on the drive you want to clean (usually the C: drive), and select Properties.
- Under the General tab, click on Disk Cleanup.
Step 2: Choose the Drive to Clean
Once you open the Disk Cleanup tool, you’ll be prompted to select which drive you want to clean.
- In the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection window, select the drive you want to clean (usually C: drive for most users).
- Click OK.
Disk Cleanup will begin scanning the drive to calculate how much space you can free up by deleting unnecessary files. This process may take a minute or two, depending on how much data is stored on your drive.
Step 3: Select Files to Delete
After the tool finishes scanning, you’ll see a list of file categories that can be deleted. Common file categories include:
- Downloaded Program Files: These files are used by Internet Explorer or Edge to load websites and ActiveX controls. They are typically no longer needed.
- Temporary Internet Files: Files cached by your web browser to speed up page loading. You can safely delete them, but this will cause websites to load slightly slower the next time you visit them.
- System Error Memory Dump Files: Created when your system crashes or experiences a “blue screen of death.” These files help troubleshoot the crash but are not needed after the issue is resolved.
- Temporary Files: Files created by the operating system or software programs for temporary storage. These files are not needed after you finish using the program.
- Recycle Bin: Files that have been deleted but are still in the Recycle Bin. Emptying the Recycle Bin will permanently remove these files.
- Windows Update Cleanup: Old files left over after a Windows update. These files can take up a lot of space and can be deleted once the update has been applied successfully.
Step 4: Clean Up System Files (Optional)
For a more thorough cleanup, you can remove system files that are safe to delete. To access these options:
- In the Disk Cleanup window, click on the Clean up system files button at the bottom.
- You will be prompted to select the drive again (usually C: drive).
- After the tool scans your drive, additional file categories will appear, such as:
- Previous Windows installations: Files left over from a previous version of Windows (such as after upgrading to a new version).
- System Restore and Shadow Copies: Backup files created by Windows to allow you to restore your system to an earlier point.
Be cautious when deleting System Restore files, as this will remove your ability to restore the system to a previous working state. However, if you’ve already created a recent restore point, it’s typically safe to remove older ones.
Step 5: Confirm Deletion
Once you’ve selected the files you want to delete, click OK. Disk Cleanup will prompt you with a warning that these files will be permanently deleted.
Click Delete Files to confirm. The cleanup process will begin and may take several minutes, depending on the size and number of files being deleted.
Step 6: Wait for the Cleanup to Finish
Disk Cleanup will now remove the selected files. This may take some time, depending on how many files you’ve chosen to delete. Once the process is complete, a message will appear confirming that the cleanup has finished, and you’ll see the freed-up disk space.
How to Automate Disk Cleanup (Optional)
If you want to automate the process of running Disk Cleanup, you can set up a scheduled task using Task Scheduler. This way, you can have Windows perform regular cleanups without you having to manually start it each time.
- Open Task Scheduler: Type “Task Scheduler” into the search bar and open the app.
- Create a New Task: In Task Scheduler, click Create Basic Task in the right-hand pane.
- Set a Trigger: Choose how often you want Disk Cleanup to run (daily, weekly, or monthly).
- Set the Action: Choose Start a Program, and then enter cleanmgr in the program/script box.
- Finish the Task: Set the task name (e.g., Automatic Disk Cleanup) and finish the setup. Disk Cleanup will now run automatically on your schedule.
Additional Tips for Freeing Up Space
- Uninstall Unnecessary Programs: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features to remove programs you no longer use.
- Delete Large Files: Use File Explorer to find large files you may no longer need. Type size:>1GB in the search bar to find files larger than 1GB.
- Use Storage Sense (Windows 10/11): In Settings > System > Storage, enable Storage Sense. This feature automatically deletes temporary files and content from the Recycle Bin, freeing up space without your intervention.
Conclusion
Performing Disk Cleanup is a quick and effective way to free up space on your Windows PC and help your system run more smoothly. By deleting unnecessary files, such as temporary files and system error dumps, you can keep your hard drive from becoming cluttered and improve overall performance. Regularly running Disk Cleanup, combined with other space-saving tips like uninstalling unused apps or using Storage Sense, will help maintain your PC’s speed and efficiency over time.