Free up disk space and delete temporary files

Steps written for Windows 11 (screenshots: 26H2).

1. 1

   Open Storage settings

   Select Start > Settings > System > Storage. The top of the page shows how full the drive is and what uses the space.

2. 2

   Open Cleanup recommendations

   Under Storage management, select Cleanup recommendations.

   

3. 3

   Clean up what Windows suggests

   Open each group (Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud, Unused apps), check the items you do not need and select Clean up in that group.

   

4. 4

   Delete more temporary files

   Go back to Storage and select Temporary files. Windows lists the types it can remove with their size. Check the ones you do not need and remove them. Leave Downloads unchecked unless you have checked that folder.

5. 5

   Turn on Storage Sense

   Back on Storage, turn the Storage Sense switch on. Windows then deletes temporary files on its own when the drive runs low.

6. 6

   Choose what Storage Sense cleans

   Select Storage Sense to open its page. Check the box for cleaning temporary files, then choose when it runs and how long files may stay in the Recycle Bin and Downloads before they are deleted.

   

7. 7

   Run it now

   Select Run Storage Sense now at the bottom of the page.

8. 8

   Clean up system files with Disk Cleanup

   Type disk cleanup in the search box on the taskbar and open Disk Cleanup. Choose drive C: and select OK, then select Clean up system files and choose C: again.

   

9. 9

   Delete the files

   Check the types of files you want to remove (select a name to see what it is), select OK, then Delete files.

Steps written for Windows 10 22H2.

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup still work.

1. 1

   Open Storage settings

   Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.

2. 2

   Turn on Storage Sense

   Turn the Storage Sense switch on. Open its settings on the same page to choose what it deletes and to run it now.

3. 3

   Open Disk Cleanup

   Type disk cleanup in the search box on the taskbar, select it, choose drive C: and select OK.

4. 4

   Add system files

   Select Clean up system files, choose C: and select OK.

5. 5

   Delete the files

   Check the types of files you want to remove, select OK, then Delete files.