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Start with the cleanup tools Windows 10 already includes: Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup. Review what they propose to delete before you confirm anything. Microsoft’s guidance does not name a best third-party disk cleaner, and no cleaner can promise a speed boost. Freeing disk space helps only when low storage is actually the problem. Windows 10 also no longer receives free security fixes, and no cleaning utility restores that protection.
Start with the cleanup tools Windows 10 already includes
Windows 10 has two built-in tools for this job. Storage Sense runs automatically or on demand and removes a defined set of files. Disk Cleanup lets you choose each file category yourself, so it gives more control and asks for more judgment.
Storage Sense
- Open Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Turn on Storage Sense to let it run automatically, or select the option to run it now.
- Review the cleanup recommendations on the same page before accepting them.
Storage Sense removes selected temporary files and manages what is in the Recycle Bin. By default it does not touch your Downloads folder or files kept by cloud providers such as OneDrive; those are affected only if you configure Storage Sense to include them. Microsoft’s Storage Sense article is the Spanish-language edition, so check its wording against the English help if you need an exact phrasing.
Disk Cleanup
- Click the Start button, type Disk Cleanup, and open the app.
- Choose the drive to clean, usually C:, and select OK.
- Read the description of each file category before you tick it.
- Select Clean up system files only if you understand the categories it lists. Skip this step for a routine cleanup.
- Confirm the deletion.
Microsoft’s free up drive space guidance covers both tools and the cleanup recommendations that Storage Sense displays.
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Check what will be deleted before you confirm
- The previous Windows installation (Windows.old). Deleting it removes Windows.old and the ability to return to the prior Windows version. Microsoft warns about this in its free up drive space guidance. Remove it only when you are sure you will not need to roll back.
- The Recycle Bin. Storage Sense manages its contents, and Disk Cleanup’s Recycle Bin category empties it. Open the Recycle Bin first if you might want to restore anything.
- Downloads and cloud-provider files. These are outside the default Storage Sense scope, so check whether you have configured it to include them.
Will cleaning disk space make your PC faster?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Microsoft’s performance tips say low disk space can reduce performance, and they list several other causes of a slow PC: startup apps, outdated software, malware and hardware limitations. The same guidance notes that older PCs may not see significant improvement from its recommended steps. Match the symptom to the likely cause before you reach for a cleaner.
| Likely cause | Check or action | Does a disk cleaner address it? |
|---|---|---|
| Little free space on the system drive | Review free space under Settings > System > Storage, then run Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup. | Yes, directly, but only when storage is actually low. |
| Too many startup apps | Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and review the Startup tab. | No. Cleaners do not manage startup programs. |
| Outdated software | Update the programs you use most, starting with those that run in the background. | No. |
| Malware | Run a scan with Windows Security. | No. A cleaner does not remove malware. |
| Older hardware | Compare the PC’s memory and drive type against your workload. | Not stated as a fix. Microsoft says older PCs may not see significant improvement. |
Compare the options
| Option | What it does | Limits and watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Sense | Automatically or on demand removes selected temporary files and manages Recycle Bin contents. | Leaves Downloads and cloud-provider files alone unless you configure it to include them. |
| Disk Cleanup | Lets you choose file categories, with an optional system-files pass. | Each category needs review. Deleting the previous Windows installation removes the rollback option. |
| Third-party cleaner | Varies by product. | Not stated. No specific product was verified for this article, and no speed gain for any product is established. |
| Drive optimization | Defragments hard disk drives and trims solid-state drives. | A different job from deleting files. See the section below. |
When you compare any of these, work through the same questions:
Rank #2
- 15.6" diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView, 220 nits, 45% NTSC.
- Is the problem free space, startup or background activity, or something else?
- Do you want to review each deletion yourself, or is automation acceptable?
- Exactly which files or settings can the tool remove?
- What is your drive type?
- Does an update prompt specifically require more storage?
Defragment or trim: a separate job
Windows handles drive optimization apart from cleanup. Hard disk drives (HDDs) are defragmented, which reorganizes fragmented data. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are trimmed, which tells the drive which blocks no longer hold data. Neither operation deletes temporary files, so running one does not replace the other. Microsoft describes both in its drive optimization guidance. To check your drive type, open Task Manager, select the Performance tab, and look at the Type label for your C: drive.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFreeing space for a Windows update
If Windows says it needs more room to install an update, an external storage device can temporarily extend the available space. Microsoft’s update storage guidance specifies a device with at least 10 GB free. The space an update needs varies by update path and installed optional content, so follow the number in the prompt you actually see. This is a narrow fix for an update flow. It does not clean Windows or make the PC faster.
Rank #3
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
- 12GB system memory for full-power multitasking
- 256GB Solid State Drive
- 15.6" Micro-edge touchscreen display
If space keeps filling after cleanup
Microsoft’s free up drive space guidance describes a possible Microsoft Store temporary-folder issue that can cause a drive to fill quickly. It also gives troubleshooting steps for the Store cache and for Windows Update. Follow those steps from the linked page rather than guessing. If the drive still fills after a cleanup, that is the next place to look.
Third-party disk cleaners
Microsoft’s material does not name a best third-party cleaner, and nothing reviewed here establishes a measured speed gain from any product. If you are considering one, check these points before installing:
Rank #4
- Latitude 7480 Laptop 14"
- Intel Core i7 6th Gen i7-6600U -Core Processor 2.6GHz (3.4GHz With Turbo Boost)
- 256 GB SSD Hard Drive & 16GB Memory
- 1920x1080 FHD resolution Non-Touch with Webcam and an integrated graphics chip
- Wireless Wifi & Bluetooth
- Whether the vendor documents compatibility with Windows 10.
- Whether the program shows what it will delete and lets you review it first.
- Whether it changes registry entries or system files, and whether it can undo those changes.
- Whether the installer adds other software you did not request.
What the end of support means for cleanup
Microsoft’s support guidance states that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 no longer receives free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes. Clearing disk space gives a PC room to work, but it cannot restore those fixes. Microsoft’s PC Health Check guidance carries the same Windows 10 support note. This article does not cover any paid or enrolled extended-update options, so check Microsoft’s current Windows 10 support pages for those.
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