Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that helps free up space on your hard drive by removing unnecessary and temporary files. Running Disk Cleanup regularly can help improve your computer’s performance by getting rid of files that are just taking up space.
What files does Disk Cleanup delete?
Disk Cleanup removes several types of files that build up over time and are generally safe to delete:
- Temporary internet files – Browser cache and cookies
- Recycle Bin – Deleted files and folders
- System files – Error reports and logs
- Thumbnail cache – Preview images of files
- Setup log files – Installer logs
- Temporary Windows files – Temporary system files
- Windows update cleanup – Old Windows updates
Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space you can recover by deleting each category of files. You can then choose which types of files to delete.
What exactly happens when I run Disk Cleanup?
Here is a step-by-step overview of what happens when you use Disk Cleanup:
- Open Disk Cleanup by searching for it in the Start menu. You can also access it from the drive properties window.
- Select the drive you want to clean up. This is usually your C: drive where Windows is installed.
- Disk Cleanup calculates how much space you can free up from different file categories. It may take several minutes to complete the calculations.
- Once calculated, you can view how much space each category takes up and select which ones to clean up by checking the box next to the category.
- Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to permanently delete the selected file categories. This may take some time depending on how many files are being deleted.
- Once the cleanup is complete, you’ll be shown how much space was freed up in total. The space can now be used for other files.
What types of files are safe to delete with Disk Cleanup?
As a general rule, the file categories that Disk Cleanup targets are safe to remove without affecting your system or losing important data:
- Temporary internet files – Browser caches, cookies, and browsing history can be safely deleted to free up space.
- Recycle Bin – Files you’ve previously deleted are already backed up if needed and can be removed from the Recycle Bin.
- System files – Log files and error reports are only needed temporarily and can be deleted.
- Windows update files – Once updates are installed, the old installation files aren’t needed.
- Temporary Windows files – .tmp and other temporary system files can be safely removed.
However, it’s best not to delete files if you don’t know what they are. Leaving thumbnail cache, setup logs, and some system files intact generally won’t harm your system.
Are there risks or downsides to using Disk Cleanup?
There are a few things to keep in mind when using Disk Cleanup:
- Once files are deleted, they can’t be recovered. So it’s not advisable to delete any files or categories you might need later.
- It’s not recommended to delete files just because Disk Cleanup flags them as safe to delete if you don’t know what they are.
- After cleaning up your drive, the now “free” space contains deleted file fragments. So it may not appear completely free until it is defragmented.
- Disk Cleanup only deletes files in locations it’s programmed to look in. It doesn’t delete all unnecessary files or fully optimize your drive.
As long as you only delete the file categories you recognize and understand, Disk Cleanup is generally very safe to use. It’s not really designed to delete sensitive system files or recover significant amounts of wasted space across your entire drive.
Does Disk Cleanup speed up your computer?
Deleting unnecessary files with Disk Cleanup can provide a couple performance improvements:
- Clearing browser caches forces cached data to be reloaded, which may load pages slightly faster.
- Fewer files means less drive fragmentation over time, reducing file access times.
- Smaller file search indexes can speed up searches a bit.
That said, the performance boost is generally minimal and short-lived. Disk Cleanup helps reclaim space more than speed up your computer. Other utilities like CCleaner or your antivirus software can optimize performance better.
Should I use Disk Cleanup or CCleaner?
Disk Cleanup and CCleaner perform some overlapping functions but are different tools:
| Disk Cleanup | CCleaner |
|---|---|
| – Built into Windows | – 3rd party download required |
| – Easy wizard-style interface | – More complex options and customization |
| – Cleans basic system files | – Cleans a wider range of unnecessary files |
| – Focuses on only certain locations | – Scans entire drives for issues |
| – Quick and hassle-free cleanup | – Takes more time and technical knowledge |
In general, Disk Cleanup can provide basic, quick maintenance using only built-in Windows tools. CCleaner offers deeper cleaning and optimization for more tech-savvy users. Many recommend running both on a regular basis for optimal system maintenance.
How often should I run Disk Cleanup?
Most experts recommend running Disk Cleanup about once a month. However, it depends on your usage patterns:
- Frequent internet users may need to clear browser caches more often, like every week.
- Laptop and small SSD users should run it more frequently since space is limited.
- Gamers and media editors may generate large temporary files quickly.
Monitoring your hard drive space can help determine if it’s necessary to run cleanup more or less often. Schedule Disk Cleanup to run automatically every 2-4 weeks if you don’t want to remember to manually run it.
Does Disk Cleanup free up RAM?
No, Disk Cleanup only frees up hard drive space – it doesn’t directly free up system memory or RAM. However, having more free space on your system drive can help Windows run slightly faster, making better indirect use of available RAM.
Can Disk Cleanup delete old Windows updates?
Yes, one of the options in Disk Cleanup is to delete outdated Windows update installation files from previous updates and upgrades. This can recover a significant amount of hard drive space if you haven’t run cleanup in a long time.
Make sure Windows is fully up-to-date before using Disk Cleanup to remove installation files. You don’t want to delete update files for updates that haven’t been installed yet.
Will Disk Cleanup delete personal files or documents?
No, Disk Cleanup is designed not to touch your personal files and documents. It only deletes system files and temporary files in specific Windows folders. Your photos, videos, music, Word documents, etc. will not be deleted.
You also have to actively select which file types to delete after the analysis is complete. So there is an additional prompt before Disk Cleanup deletes anything.
Can Disk Cleanup delete files in external drives?
Disk Cleanup can be run on external drives and USB devices in addition to your main system drive. When you open Disk Cleanup, just choose the external drive’s letter from the drop-down menu at the top instead of the C: drive.
This allows you to delete temporary files from USB flash drives, memory cards, and any secondary hard drives connected to your computer.
What happens if I stop Disk Cleanup mid-process?
You can stop Disk Cleanup mid-process by clicking the Cancel button. If you cancel after the analysis stage but before files deletion, nothing will happen yet. But if you cancel while actual file deletion is in progress, it will immediately stop deleting further files.
Any files that were already deleted up to that point will remain deleted. Partially deleted files may be corrupted. If you cancelled accidentally, it’s best to run Disk Cleanup again to completion.
Can I recover files deleted by Disk Cleanup?
Since Disk Cleanup performs permanent file deletion, it’s not easy to recover everything it removes. However, a few options to try recovering deleted files include:
- Restore from a previous system restore point or backup made before running cleanup.
- Use file recovery software to scan the drive and recover deleted fragments.
- Some types like browser caches may be restored by simply opening the browser.
Next time, consider excluding any categories you may want to keep before confirming the Disk Cleanup deletion. Don’t delete files unless you’re sure they are safe to remove.
Does Disk Cleanup reduce SSD wear?
Disk Cleanup can potentially help marginally reduce wear on solid state drives (SSDs) by:
- Deleting unnecessary files and reducing drive writes needed to maintain them.
- Consolidating free space so fewer blocks need erased and rewritten.
- Keeping the drive from getting as full, which causes more wear.
However, Disk Cleanup is not designed specifically to reduce SSD wear or optimize them like a TRIM tool. The impact on SSD longevity is likely minimal. Proper SSD care still requires other maintenance steps.
Can I schedule Disk Cleanup to run automatically?
Yes, you can schedule Disk Cleanup to run on a regular schedule in Windows 10 and 11:
- Search for “Task Scheduler” and open the app.
- Click Create Task in the right pane.
- Name the task and set the desired frequency under Triggers.
- Under Actions, click New and then Start a Program.
- Enter “cleanmgr” as the program to start (this launches Disk Cleanup).
- Click OK to save the task, which will now run automatically.
This allows Disk Cleanup to run on a set schedule, like every week or month, without you needing to remember to manually start it. You can also have it run on events like user log in or system startup.
Conclusion
Disk Cleanup is a safe and easy way to free up storage space by removing unnecessary temporary files and system files. It helps improve storage capacity but has limited impact on system performance. Using Disk Cleanup regularly prevents your drive from being filled with clutter while posing little risk of deleting anything important.
Combining Disk Cleanup with the more powerful CCleaner provides a good one-two punch to keep your computer optimized. Disk Cleanup can serve as part of a basic device maintenance routine. Just be careful not to delete files you may need later, and keep backups just in case.