How to Run Disk Cleanup in Windows 10

To run Disk Cleanup in Windows 10, select Start, type disk cleanup, and open Disk Cleanup. Choose drive C:, select OK, check the types of files you want to delete, then select OK and Delete Files. For more space, select Clean up system files first to include old Windows updates.

Disk Cleanup only deletes files Windows doesn’t need, such as temporary files and the Recycle Bin.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.

Run Disk Cleanup

1. Select Start, type disk cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup. You can also press Windows key + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
2. Choose the drive to clean, usually C:, and select OK.
3. Under Files to delete, check the items you want to remove. The total space you’ll gain is shown below the list.
4. Select OK, then Delete Files.

Clean up system files for more space

1. Open Disk Cleanup and select Clean up system files. Select Yes if asked. You need an administrator account.
2. Choose drive C: again.
3. Check items such as Windows Update Cleanup and Delivery Optimization Files.
4. Select OK, then Delete Files.

Previous Windows installation(s) appears for a while after a big update. Deleting it frees a lot of space, but you can’t go back to the earlier version afterward. See how to delete Windows.old in Windows 10.

What’s safe to delete

• Temporary files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails: safe. Windows makes them again when needed.
• Recycle Bin: check it first. Files deleted here are gone.
• Downloads: this deletes everything in your Downloads folder. Leave it unchecked unless you’ve checked the folder.
• Windows Update Cleanup: safe after updates are installed and working.
• Windows upgrade log files and Delivery Optimization Files: safe.

Clean up space automatically with Storage Sense

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.
2. Turn on Storage Sense.
3. Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now to choose how often it runs and what it deletes, or select Clean now.

If Disk Cleanup doesn’t help enough

• Delete temporary files from Settings. See how to delete temporary files in Windows 10.
• Uninstall apps you don’t use in Settings > Apps.
• Move photos and videos to an external drive or OneDrive.

If Disk Cleanup freezes on Windows Update Cleanup, leave it running. It can take 30 minutes or more.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I run Disk Cleanup?

Every month or two, or whenever drive C is running low. Storage Sense can do it for you.

Does Disk Cleanup speed up my PC?

It can help if the drive is nearly full. Windows needs free space to run updates and work smoothly.

Why is Disk Cleanup missing a drive?

It only lists drives with a letter that Windows can clean. Network and some removable drives don’t appear.

For more ways to get space back, see how to free up space on Windows 10.

To keep a hard drive running smoothly, see how to defrag and optimize drives in Windows 10.

If C: is still too small, see how to extend the C drive in Windows 10.

To see how much space you have before and after, see how to check disk space in Windows 10.

If thumbnails look wrong after a cleanup, see how to view thumbnails in Windows 10.

On Windows 11, see how to find large files in Windows 11.

Microsoft’s guide is Free up drive space in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.

Related: how to empty the trash on Windows 10.

Matt Jacobs

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.