Performing disk cleanup on Windows 11 is essential for maintaining system performance by removing unnecessary files, freeing up space, and potentially improving the speed of your computer. This guide provides professional steps on how to efficiently run disk cleanup in Windows 11.
🔧 Professional Steps to Perform Disk Cleanup in Windows 11
1. Access Disk Cleanup Utility
Windows includes a built-in utility specifically designed for cleaning up unnecessary files from your hard drive.
- Open Disk Cleanup: Click on the Start menu, type
Disk Cleanup, and select the app from the search results. You may need to click Show more results if it doesn’t appear immediately. - Select Drive: Choose the drive you wish to clean up (usually the C: drive) and click OK.
**2. Select Files to Delete
Once Disk Cleanup has calculated how much space can be freed, you will see a list of file types that can be deleted.
- Review File Types: Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete. Common options include Temporary files, Recycle Bin, Downloaded Program Files, and Windows Update Cleanup.
- Clean Up System Files: For a deeper cleanup, click on Clean up system files at the bottom. This option requires administrative privileges and allows you to remove system files such as Windows upgrade logs and Previous Windows installation(s).
**3. Execute Disk Cleanup
After selecting the files you wish to delete, execute the cleanup process.
- Proceed with Cleanup: Click OK and then Delete Files when prompted. The process might take some time depending on the amount and type of files being removed.
**4. Use Storage Sense for Automatic Cleanup
For ongoing maintenance, consider using Storage Sense, which automatically frees up space by getting rid of unnecessary files.
- Enable Storage Sense: Go to Settings > System > Storage, and toggle on Storage Sense.
- Configure Settings: Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize settings according to your preferences. Options include running Storage Sense daily, weekly, or monthly, and deleting files from the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder based on age.
**5. Explore Advanced Tools for Further Cleaning
While Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense handle most tasks, additional tools can offer more comprehensive solutions.
- Use Disk Cleanup Wizard for Specific Scenarios: If preparing for significant updates or troubleshooting issues, use the Disk Cleanup Wizard accessed through Settings > Update & Security > For developers > Developer mode disk cleanup.
- Third-party Software: Consider reputable third-party software like CCleaner for even deeper cleaning, but always ensure they are trustworthy and regularly updated to avoid security risks.
**6. Monitor Disk Usage Post Cleanup
After performing disk cleanup, monitor your disk usage to ensure everything operates smoothly.
- Check Disk Space: Use File Explorer or the Settings app under System > Storage to verify the increase in available space.
- Performance Monitoring: Utilize Task Manager or Resource Monitor to observe any improvements in disk performance and overall system responsiveness.
By following these steps, you can effectively perform disk cleanup in Windows 11, helping maintain optimal system performance and ensuring sufficient storage space. Regularly executing these procedures, alongside keeping your operating system and applications updated, contributes significantly to a healthy computing environment. If encountering persistent issues or needing further optimization, consulting with a professional technician might be beneficial.