How to Use Windows 11 Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense
Windows 11 Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense are two built-in tools that delete unneeded files to free up hard drive space on your PC. Disk Cleanup lets you scan your drive and manually clear out old temporary files, while Storage Sense runs automatically in the background to delete junk when your drive gets too full.
These tools help you win back gigabytes of storage on smaller solid-state drives (SSDs, which store your files on memory chips instead of spinning disks) that fill up fast. You can open Disk Cleanup by searching for it in the Start menu , or find Storage Sense in the Settings app under System, then Storage.
Search for “Disk Cleanup” to remove temporary files. Enable “Storage Sense” in Settings System Storage for automatic cleanup. These tools free up disk space to improve performance.
Why Free Up Disk Space?
A congested drive causes sluggish performance, failed system updates, and blocked downloads.
- Run slowly and take longer to open apps.
- Have trouble installing important updates or new programs.
- Make it harder to save new files or photos.
Maintaining free space on a hard drive helps a computer work faster and stay secure.
How to Use the Disk Cleanup Tool
The Windows 11 Disk Cleanup tool helps get rid of unneeded temporary files to free up valuable space on a hard drive. Open the Start menu , type ‘disk cleanup’ into the search box, and select the application from the results.
Follow these steps:
- Click the Start button. It's the Windows logo at the bottom-left corner.
- Type
disk cleanupin the search box. - Click the Disk Cleanup app from the list.
A new window displays different categories of removable files:
- Temporary Internet Files
- Downloaded Program Files
- Thumbnails (small pictures of your files)
Check the boxes next to the files targeted for removal. To reclaim additional space, click Clean up system files and select extra system files for deletion.
Click OK, then select Delete files to start the cleanup process.
The utility clears the selected data from the computer.
How to Use Storage Sense to Clean Up Automatically
Storage Sense in Windows 11 automatically manages temporary files and other unneeded items. Open Settings from the Start menu, navigate to System, click Storage, and toggle the Storage Sense switch.
Configure the feature using these steps:
- Click the Start button. Then select Settings. It looks like a gear icon.
- Go to System > Storage.
- Turn on Storage Sense by clicking the switch.
- Click on the Storage Sense tile to see more settings. You can choose how often you want Storage Sense to clean up. Options include daily or weekly. You can also decide what kind of files it should remove.
Default configurations suit most users, allowing Windows to handle the cleanup process automatically.
Summary
- Running low on disk space can slow your computer and cause update problems.
- Use Disk Cleanup to quickly remove old files you don't need.
- Turn on Storage Sense to keep your disk clean automatically.
- Check your disk space regularly to keep your computer running fast and smooth.
Regular maintenance prevents performance drops and update failures.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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