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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteTo free space on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 system drive without removing personal files, start at Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Review the items and Windows’ estimated savings before selecting anything. Use Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup only after checking what each is configured to remove; deleting a previous Windows installation is different because it removes the option to roll back after an upgrade.
1. Check what is using space and review cleanup recommendations
- Open Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Review the storage categories, such as Installed apps, Temporary files, and System & reserved, to see where space is being used.
- Select Cleanup recommendations. Review the listed categories, which can include temporary files, large or unused files, cloud-synced files, and unused apps.
- Select only items you recognize and are willing to remove. Check the estimated space savings Windows displays for your device before confirming cleanup.
Cleanup recommendations are reviewable rather than a promise that every suggestion is safe for every situation. Check file names and categories carefully, especially when a recommendation involves files you want to keep. Windows labels and screens can vary by version.
2. Configure Storage Sense before automating cleanup
Storage Sense can automatically manage certain files on the system drive, usually C:. Microsoft describes it as working “on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to as C:.” Open Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense, and open its settings to choose when it runs and which categories it manages. See Microsoft’s Storage Sense guidance.
Microsoft says the default behavior runs when the device is low on space, cleans unnecessary temporary files, and removes Recycle Bin contents after a configured period. Downloads and cloud content are not cleaned unless you configure those options. Before enabling or changing automation, inspect the schedule and category settings so you know what may be removed or made online-only.
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What Storage Sense can do to OneDrive files
If you use OneDrive Files On-Demand, Storage Sense can make eligible inactive cloud files online-only according to your selected settings. The files remain in OneDrive rather than being permanently deleted, but you need an internet connection to retrieve an online-only file. Microsoft says files marked Always keep on this device are exempt. Make sure the setting suits how you use the files before relying on it.
3. Review Disk Cleanup selections, especially system-file categories
- Search the taskbar for Disk Cleanup and open it.
- Choose the drive you want to clean, then inspect the category names, descriptions, and checkboxes.
- To reveal additional categories, select Clean up system files, choose the drive again if prompted, and wait for Windows to calculate the list.
- Review the resulting selections and descriptions before confirming. Clear any checkbox for an item you do not want removed.
Microsoft notes that categories such as Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails may be selected by default. Do not assume that the phrase “system files” means every item in the list is harmless to remove in every circumstance. The available categories and labels may vary across Windows versions. See Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup instructions.
Pause before deleting a previous Windows installation
Previous Windows Installation(s) can include Windows.old, the files used to return to the previous Windows version after an upgrade. Deleting it removes that rollback option and is not reversible as a way to restore the previous installation. Microsoft says the previous installation is automatically deleted ten days after an upgrade. If you may need to undo a recent upgrade, leave this category unchecked; see Microsoft’s guidance on deleting the previous Windows version.
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4. Keep files by moving them or making cloud copies online-only
Move files to an external drive
For photos, music, videos, or documents you want to keep but do not need on the PC, move selected files to an external drive such as a USB drive or SD card. In File Explorer, switch a folder to Details view and sort by size to help find large files. Open files from the destination to verify the copies before deleting their local originals. You will need to connect the external drive to access those copies. Microsoft also describes this approach in its Windows drive-space guidance.
Use OneDrive Files On-Demand where it fits
Files On-Demand can leave a smaller placeholder on the PC while keeping the full file in OneDrive, reducing local storage use without deleting the cloud copy. Online-only files require connectivity to download when you want to open them. If Storage Sense manages inactive local cloud content, its behavior depends on your chosen settings; items marked Always keep on this device are exempt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Choose a method based on the trade-off
| Option | Review and control | Where files remain | Automation | Effect on upgrade rollback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanup recommendations | Review categories and projected savings before selecting items | Selected items are removed from the PC | Manual selection | No stated effect unless you select previous installation files |
| Disk Cleanup | Review category descriptions and checkboxes before confirming | Selected items are removed from the PC | Manual selection | Deleting Previous Windows Installation(s) removes the rollback option |
| Storage Sense | Set when it runs and which categories it manages | Depends on settings; can remove eligible files or make eligible cloud files online-only | Automates configured cleanup on the system drive | No stated effect unless previous installation files are separately removed |
| External storage | You choose which files to move and can verify the destination copies | Files are moved off the PC to the connected drive | None | No stated effect |
| OneDrive Files On-Demand | Choose which files stay available locally; online-only retrieval requires connectivity | Full files remain in OneDrive; online-only placeholders remain locally | Storage Sense may manage eligible inactive local cloud content if configured | No stated effect |
6. Do not use Reset this PC as routine cleanup
Resetting Windows is a recovery operation, not an ordinary way to clear temporary storage. Microsoft distinguishes Keep my files, which reinstalls Windows while preserving personal files but removes apps and settings, from Remove everything, which also removes personal files. Back up important data before resetting. See Microsoft’s Reset this PC guidance. The page states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; Windows 10 and Windows 11 screens and labels may differ.
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