How to Clean Up Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide walks you through cleaning up Windows 10 to free up disk space, speed up performance, and remove clutter. You’ll learn built-in tools and manual methods that are safe for everyday users. No third-party software is required.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator access to your PC
• About 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
• An external drive or cloud storage for files you want to keep but don’t need on the PC

Step-by-Step

1. Run Disk Cleanup (or Storage Sense). Open the Start menu, type “Disk Cleanup,” and select the app. Choose the drive you want to clean (usually C:). Click “OK” and wait for it to scan. Check the boxes for “Windows Update Cleanup,” “Temporary files,” “Recycle Bin,” and “Thumbnails.” Click “OK” and then “Delete Files.” Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense to automate this.
2. Remove temporary files manually. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter. Select all files (Ctrl + A) and delete them. Skip any that are in use. Repeat with temp and prefetch in the Run dialog (prefetch is optional).
3. Uninstall unused apps. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Sort by size (click the “Size” column header). Review the largest apps and uninstall any you don’t use. For preinstalled bloatware, you can often uninstall them here as well.
4. Disable startup programs. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the “Startup” tab. Right-click any app you don’t need at boot and select “Disable.” Focus on apps with “High” impact.
5. Clean up system files. In Disk Cleanup, click “Clean up system files” (requires admin). This removes old Windows updates, delivery optimization files, and other system clutter. Check all boxes and delete.
6. Empty the Recycle Bin. Right-click the Recycle Bin on the desktop and choose “Empty Recycle Bin.” Confirm if prompted.
7. Move personal files to external storage. Check your Downloads, Documents, Videos, and Pictures folders. Move large files (videos, ISOs, old projects) to an external drive or cloud. Right-click the folder, select “Properties,” and see how much space it uses.
8. Run Disk Defragmenter (for HDDs only). If your PC has a traditional hard drive, type “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the Start menu. Select your drive and click “Optimize.” If you have an SSD, skip this step—it’s unnecessary and can reduce its lifespan.
9. Check for large files with Storage Sense. Go to Settings > System > Storage, click on the C: drive, and wait for the breakdown. Click “Temporary files” and remove them. Also check “Other” to see what’s taking up space.
10. Restart your PC. After all the cleaning, restart to clear memory and apply changes.

Common Mistakes

• Deleting files from \Windows or Program Files. Never manually delete files in these folders unless you’re sure what they are. Use the built-in tools instead.
• Running multiple cleaners at once. Using third-party “registry cleaners” or “PC boosters” can cause more harm than good. Stick to built-in tools.
• Ignoring the Recycle Bin. Files you delete still take up space until you empty it.
• Disabling all startup items. Some startup items are necessary for security or hardware. Only disable ones you recognize.
• Cleaning while other users are logged in. If multiple user accounts exist, some files may be in use. Clean when you’re the only one using the PC.

Tips

• Use Storage Sense regularly. Set it to run weekly or monthly in Settings > System > Storage.
• Keep your SSD healthy. Don’t defrag an SSD. Instead, ensure TRIM is enabled (it is by default).
• Create a restore point first. Before major cleanup, go to Control Panel > System > System Protection and create a restore point. This lets you roll back if something goes wrong.
• Use the “Free up space now” feature. In Settings > System > Storage, there’s a button that runs a quick cleanup. It’s a good starting point.
• Move your page file (optional). If you’re low on C: space, you can move the virtual memory file to another drive, but this is advanced and not recommended for most users.

Troubleshooting

• Disk Cleanup hangs or takes forever. This can happen if Windows Update is running. Wait a few minutes or restart and try again. If it persists, run sfc /scannow in an elevated command prompt to check for system file corruption.
• Can’t delete a file because it’s in use. Close the program using it. If it’s a system process, restart your PC and try again. If it’s still locked, use Task Manager to end the process (if safe).
• Storage Sense doesn’t show any files to clean. Make sure you’re on the latest Windows 10 update. Also, check that you’re not running out of disk space entirely—Windows may need some free space to function.
• After cleanup, your PC is slower. This is rare, but if it happens, check that you didn’t disable a necessary startup item. Re-enable it. Also, restart your PC to let Windows rebuild caches.
• You accidentally deleted a needed file. If you emptied the Recycle Bin, try restoring from File History or a backup. If you have a restore point, use System Restore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to delete everything in the Temp folder?

Yes, most files in the Temp folder are safe to delete. If a file is in use, Windows will skip it. These are temporary files that should be removed regularly.

How often should I clean up Windows 10?

For most users, a monthly cleanup is sufficient. If you install/uninstall lots of apps or download large files, do it more often.

Will cleaning up Windows 10 make my PC faster?

It can, especially if your drive was nearly full. Freeing up space can improve performance, but if your PC is slow due to hardware limitations, cleanup won’t fix it.

Can I use third-party cleaner apps instead?

You can, but the built-in tools are sufficient and safer. Many third-party cleaners bundle adware or make unnecessary changes.

What’s the difference between Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense?

Disk Cleanup is a manual tool that’s been around since older Windows versions. Storage Sense is a newer feature that can automate cleanup. Both do similar things.

Why is my C: drive still full after cleaning?

There may be large files you haven’t found. Use a tool like WinDirStat (free) to visualize what’s taking up space. Also, check if your page file or hibernation file is large (they can be several GB).

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