Windows · Storage & Backup
Remove temporary and unneeded files
Scans your drive for temporary files, system caches, old Windows update files, and other reclaimable data, then lets you safely delete them to free up disk space.
How to open Disk Cleanup
- Search for 'Disk Cleanup' in the Start menu
- Select the drive you want to clean and click OK
- Review the list of file categories and check the ones to remove
- Click 'Clean up system files' for a deeper scan if needed
- Click OK and confirm deletion
What you should know
- Scan and select categories of files to remove, like temp files or recycle bin contents
- Clean up system files, including previous Windows installation leftovers
- Remove Windows Update cleanup and delivery optimization files
- View how much space each category will reclaim before deleting
Removing 'Previous Windows installation(s)' files means you can no longer roll back to the prior Windows version, so only clean these once you're confident the current install is stable.
Why it matters
Over time, Windows accumulates temporary installer files, update caches, error reports, and other clutter that can consume tens of gigabytes without providing any ongoing value. Disk Cleanup gives a clear, itemized view of what's safe to remove versus what requires caution, which matters especially on smaller SSDs where every gigabyte counts. It's also one of the fastest ways to recover space after a major Windows feature update, which often leaves behind a large rollback package.
Best practices
- Run Disk Cleanup after major Windows feature updates to remove old installation files
- Use 'Clean up system files' for the fullest scan, including Windows Update leftovers
- Review each category before deleting rather than selecting everything blindly
- Empty the Recycle Bin regularly if you don't need long-term file recovery
Common problems and fixes
- Disk Cleanup shows very little reclaimable space
- Run 'Clean up system files' instead of the basic scan to include Windows Update and system caches.
- Can't roll back to previous Windows version after cleanup
- This is expected once previous installation files are deleted; there's no way to recover them afterward.
- Disk space doesn't seem to increase after cleanup
- Restart the PC, since some temporary files are only released after a reboot.
Tips and tricks
- Sort categories by size to prioritize cleaning the biggest space consumers first
- Combine with Storage Sense for ongoing automated cleanup between manual runs
Frequently asked questions
Is Disk Cleanup safe to run regularly?
Yes, for standard categories like temporary files and recycle bin contents; be more cautious with system file categories tied to rollback options.
How is this different from Storage Sense?
Storage Sense automates similar cleanup continuously in the background, while Disk Cleanup is a manual, one-time scan and delete tool.
Can I recover deleted files afterward?
Generally no, files removed through Disk Cleanup bypass the Recycle Bin and are not easily recoverable.
Related settings
- Storage SenseStorage Sense automatically frees up disk space by deleting temporary files, emptying the Recycle Bin after a set number of days, and clearing out old files from your Downloads folder on a schedule you configure. Once set up, it runs quietly in the background so you don't have to remember to manually clean up disk clutter yourself.
- Storage SettingsStorage Settings let you view how much disk space is being used by apps, system files, temporary files, and media. You can free up space automatically using Storage Sense or manually remove unwanted files.
- Manage Disks and VolumesProvides a modern interface to view all connected physical disks and their volumes, letting you create, resize, format, or delete partitions without opening the legacy Disk Management console.
More Storage & Backup guides for Windows
- BackupWindows Backup uses OneDrive to continuously back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, along with your list of installed apps, saved Wi-Fi network passwords, and select personalization settings like your theme and wallpaper. It's designed to make restoring your setup on a new PC, or after a reset, far less painful than starting from scratch.
- File HistoryFile History is a legacy Control Panel backup tool that continuously copies versions of files in your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites to an external drive or network location. Unlike a single backup snapshot, it keeps multiple versions over time, letting you restore not just a deleted file but an earlier version of one you've since changed.
- OneDrive Sync SettingsConfigures how OneDrive syncs files between this PC and the cloud, including which folders sync, Files On-Demand behavior, and bandwidth limits for uploads and downloads.
- Storage SpacesLets you combine multiple physical drives into a single resilient storage pool, protecting against individual drive failure or expanding usable capacity across devices.
- Removable Storage AccessManages how Windows handles removable storage devices like USB drives and SD cards, including connection notifications, battery usage behavior, and transfer settings.
- Default Save LocationsLets you set the default drive for new apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos, which is especially useful when a PC has both a small system drive and a larger secondary drive.