Windows 11 · Windows
Free Up Space and Remove Temporary Files in Windows
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Use Storage, Cleanup recommendations, and optional Storage Sense to review temporary and unused items before Windows removes them.
Check what is actually using space
Open Settings > System > Storage and wait for Windows to calculate categories. Note the free space and the largest categories before deleting anything. A full drive can affect updates and app performance, but “cache” is not one universal folder; use the categories Windows exposes instead of deleting arbitrary system folders or running an unknown cleaner.
Review Temporary files carefully
Open Temporary files and let the scan finish. Read every selected category before choosing Remove files. Pay particular attention to Downloads, Recycle Bin, and previous Windows installation entries because they can contain wanted files or affect your ability to return to an earlier installation. Move important personal files to a verified backup first.
Use Cleanup recommendations
Return to Storage and open Cleanup recommendations. Review temporary files, large or unused files, cloud-synced content, and unused apps individually. Select only items you recognize and no longer need, then run the cleanup. Confirm the new free-space figure after Windows completes rather than repeatedly clicking the control.
Configure Storage Sense only when wanted
Open Storage Sense and review what it may remove automatically. Choose how often it runs and whether it can clean Recycle Bin or Downloads content. Leave Downloads cleanup off if that folder is used as long-term storage. Storage Sense manages supported temporary content; it is not a replacement for reviewing large personal folders.
Move files before deleting more
If space remains low, move large personal files to another drive or cloud location and verify the copied files open before deleting the originals. Uninstall unused apps through Settings rather than deleting their program folders. Restart Windows when an update or application still reports the old free-space value.
Troubleshoot cleanup that frees little space
If Storage categories do not finish calculating, cleanup fails, or free space immediately disappears, record the affected category and run Windows Update before trying again. Check OneDrive availability settings and active downloads. Do not remove WinSxS, installer, registry, or hidden system files manually; use Microsoft support for a category that remains abnormally large.
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Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.