Windows comes with a built-in cleanup tool that most people never discover — yet it can free up gigabytes of storage space and noticeably speed up your computer in just a few clicks. This “hidden” button lives inside Windows Storage Settings, and it automatically identifies and removes temporary files, outdated system data, and other space-wasting content that accumulates silently over time. Here’s how to find and use it.
The Hidden Cleanup Feature: Storage Sense
The feature is called Storage Sense and it’s built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Unlike the older Disk Cleanup tool, Storage Sense is more comprehensive, easier to use, and can be set to run automatically. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, cleans the Downloads folder (optionally), removes old Windows Update files, clears thumbnails cache, and more.
How to Find and Use Storage Sense
Step 1: Open Storage Settings
Go to Settings → System → Storage. You’ll see a breakdown of what’s using space on your drive — Apps & features, Temporary files, Documents, Pictures, etc. The most valuable button is right here: click Temporary files to see everything Windows considers cleanable.
Step 2: Review and Clean Temporary Files
The Temporary files page shows every category of cleanable data with the size of each. Common items you’ll find: Windows Update Cleanup (old update files — often 1-3GB), Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin contents, Delivery Optimization Files (Windows Update cache), Temporary files (app temp data), DirectX Shader Cache, Thumbnails. Check everything you want to remove — for most users, checking all items is safe. Click Remove files. The cleanup takes 1-5 minutes and can free 2-10GB or more on a computer that hasn’t been cleaned recently.
Step 3: Enable Automatic Storage Sense
Back on the main Storage page, toggle Storage Sense to On. Click Configure Storage Sense to set when it runs automatically: every day, every week, or every month (monthly is usually sufficient). You can also configure it to automatically delete files in the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder after a set period (e.g., 30 days) — useful for keeping these areas from growing indefinitely.
Advanced Cleanup: Run Disk Cleanup as Administrator
For an even deeper clean, run the classic Disk Cleanup tool with administrator privileges. Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as administrator. After the initial scan, click Clean up system files. This unlocks additional categories including: Previous Windows Installations (can free 10-30GB after a Windows upgrade), Windows Update Cleanup, and System error memory dump files. These categories aren’t available without administrator rights.
Other Quick Ways to Free Up Space
- Uninstall apps you no longer use: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → sort by size
- Move large files to an external drive or cloud storage
- Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand to store files in the cloud while keeping them accessible
- Use the “Large files” section in Storage Settings to find and review big files
- Empty browser caches: Chrome → Ctrl+Shift+Delete → All time → Cached images
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete all temporary files?
Yes, temporary files are designed to be deleted. They’re leftover data from completed processes that Windows didn’t clean up automatically. Deleting them cannot damage your operating system or applications. The only practical consideration: some apps may load slightly slower the first time after their temp files are cleared, as they rebuild their caches. This is a normal, minor, and temporary effect.
How often should I run Storage Sense?
Set Storage Sense to run monthly automatically and you’ll never need to think about it again. If you’re running low on disk space, run it manually anytime. As a general rule, try to keep at least 10-15% of your main drive free — when free space drops below this level, Windows performance starts to degrade as it struggles to manage virtual memory and temporary files.
Your drive still full after cleaning? Leave a comment with how much space Storage Sense freed and how much is still used — our team will suggest additional cleanup strategies specific to your situation.