How to Clean Up Disk Space on Windows 10

Is your Windows 10 computer running sluggishly? Are you constantly receiving storage warnings? It’s time to clean up your disk space and enjoy a smoother computing experience. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you the best practices for cleaning up disk space on Windows 10.

Windows 10 is a popular operating system known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features. However, as you use your computer over time, it can accumulate unnecessary files and clutter that slow down its performance. The good news is that Windows 10 provides built-in tools to help you reclaim valuable disk space and optimize your system.

Steps to Clean Up Disk Space on Windows 10

Utilizing the Legacy Disk Cleanup Tool

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Windows icon in the taskbar to open the Start menu and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar, and press Enter. This will launch the Disk Cleanup tool.
2. The Disk Cleanup tool will ask you to select a drive. Choose the drive where Windows 10 is installed (usually the C: drive) and click “OK.”
3. The tool will scan your selected drive for unnecessary files, including temporary files, system files, and more.
4. After the scan is complete, you’ll see a list of file types that can be safely deleted. Check the box next to a file type you want to remove.
5. Click the “OK” button, and then click “Delete Files” to remove the selected files. Windows will clean up the disk space for you.

Clearing System Files

Sometimes, Windows 10 stores system files that are no longer needed, taking up precious disk space. Follow these steps to remove them:

1. Open the Disk Cleanup tool as described above and select your drive.
2. Click “Clean up system files”, this option is located at the bottom-left corner of the Disk Cleanup window. Click it to re-scan your drive for system files.
3. Select System Files to Remove: After the scan, you’ll see additional file types, including system files and Windows Update files. Check the boxes next to these files if you want to remove them.
4. Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to remove the selected system files.

Managing Installed Programs

Unnecessary programs can occupy a significant amount of disk space. It’s time to review and uninstall applications you no longer use:

1. Open Control Panel: Press the Windows key, type “Control Panel,” and press Enter.
2. Navigate to “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
3. You’ll see a list of all installed programs. Go through the list and identify programs you no longer need.
4. Right-click on the program you want to remove and select “Uninstall.” Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Disk Cleanup with Storage Sense

Windows 10 includes the Storage Sense feature, which automatically manages storage space:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key, type “Settings” and press Enter.
2. In the Settings window click on “System”.
3. Click on “Storage” from the left sidebar.
4. Toggle on the “Storage Sense” option to enable it.
5. You can also click on “Configure Storage Sense or run it now” to customize how it frees up space on your device.
6. You can also run Storage Sense immediately by clicking “Clean now.”

By following these steps, you can effectively clean up disk space on your Windows 10 computer. Regular disk maintenance is essential for ensuring that your system runs smoothly and efficiently. Say goodbye to storage-related performance issues and enjoy a faster Windows 10 experience.

Remember to make disk cleanup a part of your regular maintenance routine to keep your computer running at its best.