Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows utility that helps you remove unnecessary files and recover storage space on your computer. Windows 11 creates temporary files, thumbnail caches, update-related files, and other data while you use your PC. Over time, some of these files can occupy a considerable amount of disk space, especially on computers with smaller SSDs.
Running Disk Cleanup can help you remove selected temporary files, clear certain system files, and free up space without manually searching through multiple folders. It is particularly useful when your C drive is running low on storage or Windows needs additional space to install updates.
Windows 11 also includes Storage settings and Storage Sense, which provide additional ways to manage unnecessary files. However, Disk Cleanup remains useful because it offers options for cleaning system files that are not always available through the standard temporary-files interface.
In this guide, you will learn several ways to open and run Disk Cleanup in Windows 11, remove temporary files, clean up Windows update files, configure automatic cleanup, and troubleshoot common problems. Before deleting anything, it is important to review the selected categories carefully, especially if you want to keep files in your Downloads folder or preserve the option to roll back a Windows update.
Method 1: Open Disk Cleanup Using Windows Search
Windows Search is one of the quickest ways to open Disk Cleanup in Windows 11. You do not need to navigate through Control Panel or open a command-line tool.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + S to open Windows Search.
- Type Disk Cleanup in the search box.
- Select the Disk Cleanup application from the results.
- If Windows asks you to select a drive, choose the drive you want to clean.
- Click OK.
- Wait while Windows calculates how much space can be recovered.
The Disk Cleanup window displays categories of files that Windows can remove. Depending on your system, these may include temporary internet files, temporary files, thumbnails, DirectX Shader Cache, and Recycle Bin contents.
Select the categories you want to remove. The description below the list can help you understand what each category contains.
When you are ready, click OK, then select Delete Files to confirm.
Windows will remove the selected items. The time required depends on the amount of data and the type of cleanup being performed.
Do not select a category simply because it occupies a large amount of space. Review its description first, particularly when cleaning the Recycle Bin or other locations that might contain files you still need.
Method 2: Run Disk Cleanup as an Administrator
Some cleanup categories are available only after you run Disk Cleanup with administrative permissions and select the option to clean system files.
This is useful when you want to remove certain Windows update files, previous installation files, or other system-related data.
Follow these steps:
- Open Windows Search using Windows + S.
- Type Disk Cleanup.
- Right-click the Disk Cleanup result.
- Select Run as administrator, if available.
- Choose the Windows drive, usually C.
- Click OK.
- In the Disk Cleanup window, click Clean up system files.
- Select the C drive again if prompted.
- Wait for Windows to calculate the available cleanup options.
The refreshed list may contain additional categories, such as Windows Update Cleanup, previous Windows installation files, device driver packages, or temporary Windows installation files. The categories shown vary depending on your Windows installation and update history.
Select only the items you want to remove, then click OK and confirm the deletion.
Be particularly careful with Previous Windows installation(s), when available. Removing these files can prevent you from returning to the previous Windows version through the built-in rollback option.
You may not see every system-cleanup category on every computer. This is normal and depends on which files exist on your PC.
Method 3: Clean Temporary Files on the C Drive
Temporary files are created by Windows and applications during normal operation. Some are removed automatically, but others can remain on the drive after programs close or installations finish.
Disk Cleanup lets you remove eligible temporary files from your Windows installation.
To clean temporary files:
- Open Disk Cleanup.
- Select the C drive.
- Click OK.
- Review the available file categories.
- Select Temporary files if it appears.
- Review other categories, such as thumbnails or DirectX Shader Cache.
- Click OK.
- Confirm by selecting Delete Files.
Windows will remove the selected files.
Temporary files are generally safe to remove when Windows identifies them as eligible for cleanup. However, avoid deleting files manually from unfamiliar system folders simply because their names contain the word “temp.”
Some applications may recreate their temporary files the next time you use them. This is expected behavior and does not mean the cleanup failed.
If your main goal is to free up as much space as possible, use the Clean up system files option as well, but review the additional categories carefully before confirming deletion.
Method 4: Remove Windows Update Cleanup Files
Windows downloads and stores files needed to install updates. After certain updates have been installed, Windows may retain components that can sometimes be removed through Disk Cleanup.
To check for Windows Update Cleanup files:
- Open Disk Cleanup.
- Select the C drive.
- Click OK.
- Select Clean up system files.
- Choose the C drive again if prompted.
- Look for Windows Update Cleanup.
- Check the category if you want to remove the eligible files.
- Click OK.
- Select Delete Files to proceed.
The cleanup may take several minutes or longer, depending on how much data needs to be processed. On some systems, Windows may need additional time to complete maintenance.
Keep in mind that Windows Update Cleanup does not appear on every computer. If Windows has no eligible update files to remove, the category may be missing or may show little recoverable space.
Do not interrupt the process by forcing your computer to shut down unless it has clearly become unresponsive and other recovery options are unavailable.
If Windows Update Cleanup does not free up much space, check other categories or use Windows 11’s Storage settings to identify what is consuming your storage.
Method 5: Open Disk Cleanup Using the Run Dialog
You can launch Disk Cleanup directly through the Run dialog. This method is convenient if you frequently use Windows troubleshooting commands.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type the following command:
cleanmgr - Press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean, if prompted.
- Click OK.
- Select the cleanup categories you want to remove.
- Click OK and confirm the deletion.
The cleanmgr command launches the standard Disk Cleanup utility.
If you want to clean another drive, such as D, select that drive when Windows displays the drive-selection window.
Disk Cleanup mainly removes eligible files from the selected drive. It does not automatically uninstall applications, remove personal documents, or clean every file on your computer.
If the Run command fails, verify that you typed cleanmgr correctly. If the utility is unavailable or produces an error, use the Temporary files section in Windows Settings as an alternative.
Method 6: Run Disk Cleanup for a Specific Drive
Although most users run Disk Cleanup on the C drive, you can also use it to clean other supported drives.
This can help when a secondary drive contains temporary files or other eligible data that Windows can remove.
To clean a specific drive:
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
cleanmgr. - Press Enter.
- Choose the drive you want to clean.
- Click OK.
- Review the categories displayed.
- Select the files you want to remove.
- Click OK, then confirm.
You can repeat these steps for other drives.
The available categories depend on the selected drive and the types of files stored on it. Some system-specific cleanup categories may be available only for the Windows drive.
Before cleaning the Recycle Bin, confirm that it does not contain files you want to restore. Also, review any category that refers to downloaded or temporary installation files to make sure you no longer need them.
Disk Cleanup is not a general-purpose file manager. If a secondary drive is full because of videos, documents, games, or installed applications, you may need to move, delete, or uninstall those items separately.
Method 7: Use Storage Settings as an Alternative
Windows 11 provides a modern storage-management interface that can help you find temporary files and other items consuming disk space.
If Disk Cleanup does not offer the category you need, Storage settings are a useful alternative.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System.
- Click Storage.
- Wait for Windows to calculate storage usage.
- Select Temporary files.
- Review the listed categories.
- Select the items you want to remove.
- Click Remove files or the corresponding removal option.
The exact labels may vary between Windows 11 versions.
Be especially careful when selecting Downloads. This category can include files stored in your personal Downloads folder, so check its contents before removing it.
You can also open System > Storage and review categories such as Installed apps, Other, and Temporary files to identify what occupies the most space.
For automatic cleanup, enable Storage Sense if it is available. You can configure it to remove selected temporary files and manage items in the Recycle Bin according to your preferences.
Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup are related but different tools. Storage Sense focuses on ongoing storage management, while Disk Cleanup provides a traditional interface for removing specific categories of eligible files.
Method 8: Fix Disk Cleanup Not Working in Windows 11
Disk Cleanup may occasionally fail to open, take a long time to calculate files, or appear to remove very little data. Try the following solutions if you encounter a problem.
Restart your computer
Restarting Windows can release files that were being used by applications or system processes. After restarting, open Disk Cleanup again and check whether the problem persists.
Run the utility with administrative permissions
Some cleanup categories require elevated permissions. Search for Disk Cleanup, right-click it, and select Run as administrator if the option is available.
Then select Clean up system files to check for additional eligible items.
Use Windows Settings to remove temporary files
If Disk Cleanup fails to open, press Windows + I, navigate to System > Storage > Temporary files, and review the available cleanup options.
This provides an alternative way to remove supported categories of temporary data.
Check available storage
If the C drive is almost full, open Settings > System > Storage and review the storage breakdown. You may need to uninstall unused applications, move large personal files, or remove unneeded downloads.
Disk Cleanup cannot free significant space when most of the drive is occupied by files that Windows does not consider eligible for removal.
Allow the cleanup process to finish
Cleaning Windows Update files or other system-related data can take longer than removing ordinary temporary files. If the progress indicator is moving or the system is still responding, allow the process to finish before attempting another cleanup.
If Disk Cleanup repeatedly crashes or reports system errors, consider running Windows Update and using Windows’ built-in troubleshooting options before attempting more advanced repairs.
Conclusion
Disk Cleanup is a practical way to remove eligible temporary files and recover storage space in Windows 11. You can open it through Windows Search, the Run dialog, or other Windows tools, then select the categories you want to remove.
For a more thorough cleanup, use the Clean up system files option to check whether Windows Update Cleanup and other system-related categories are available. Review each category before confirming, especially when it concerns the Recycle Bin, Downloads, or previous Windows installations.
If Disk Cleanup is unavailable or does not provide the options you need, Windows 11’s Storage settings offer another way to manage temporary files and identify storage usage. For ongoing maintenance, Storage Sense can help automate selected cleanup tasks.
Running Disk Cleanup occasionally can help keep your system drive organized, but it will not replace uninstalling unused applications or managing large personal files. Combine it with regular storage checks to keep your Windows 11 computer running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Disk Cleanup safe to use in Windows 11?
Yes. Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows utility. However, review the selected categories before deleting files, especially the Recycle Bin and previous Windows installation files.
2. How do I open Disk Cleanup quickly?
Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter. You can also search for Disk Cleanup from the Start menu.
3. Why is Windows Update Cleanup missing?
The category appears only when Windows has eligible update-related files to remove. If no such files are available, the category may not appear.
4. Is Disk Cleanup better than Storage Sense?
They serve related purposes. Disk Cleanup provides manual control over traditional cleanup categories, while Storage Sense can automate selected storage-management tasks. You can use both tools.
Quick Summary
- Open Disk Cleanup by searching for it or running
cleanmgr. - Select Clean up system files to find additional eligible cleanup categories.
- Review every category before deleting files, especially Downloads and previous Windows installations.
- Use Settings > System > Storage or Storage Sense as alternatives for managing disk space.
Combine overlapping cleanup methodsAdd an automatic cleanup walkthrough