Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that helps free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files. However, some Windows 10 users have reported that Disk Cleanup is missing from their system and cannot be accessed. There are a few potential reasons why Disk Cleanup may not be showing up in Windows 10.
Disk Cleanup May Be Disabled
One of the most common reasons Disk Cleanup goes missing in Windows 10 is because it gets disabled. There are a couple ways this can happen:
- Disk Cleanup was manually disabled. Windows includes the option to turn system tools on or off, and sometimes users disable Disk Cleanup without realizing it.
- A bug or glitch disabled it. Occasionally a system error or crash can cause Windows tools and apps to become disabled or hidden.
- Group Policy settings turned it off. If your Windows 10 PC is part of a business or domain network, the network admin may have used Group Policy to restrict access to certain apps and system tools like Disk Cleanup.
If Disk Cleanup was manually disabled, you can re-enable it through the system settings. Open the Start menu and search for “Turn Windows features on or off” and open the Desktop Experience settings. Locate Disk Cleanup on the list, make sure it is checked, and click OK. Windows will re-enable Disk Cleanup.
The File Is Missing or Corrupted
Disk Cleanup relies on system files to operate properly. If any of these system files become corrupted or go missing, it can prevent Disk Cleanup from showing up.
Some potential file issues that could cause this include:
- The Disk Cleanup executable file (cleanmgr.exe) is corrupted or deleted. This is the main system file Disk Cleanup needs.
- The system registry keys related to Disk Cleanup are corrupted. Registry errors can prevent apps from running.
- Necessary DLL files are damaged or missing. DLLs contain libraries Disk Cleanup needs to function.
If the problem stems from system file corruption, running the System File Checker tool may fix it. To do this:
- Open an elevated Command Prompt (run it as admin).
- Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
- Let the scan run – this will check system files and replace any corrupt ones.
After the scan finishes, restart your computer and check if Disk Cleanup shows up again. You can also try reinstalling Disk Cleanup – open Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Optional features > Add a feature and select Disk Cleanup from the list.
Disk Cleanup Is Not Supported
Certain editions of Windows 10 do not include Disk Cleanup:
- Windows 10 Home – Disk Cleanup is not included by default but can be installed as an optional feature.
- Windows 10 S Mode – Cannot run Disk Cleanup due to security restrictions.
- Windows 10 Pro N – The “N” editions omit certain media-related features like Disk Cleanup.
So if you are running one of these versions, Disk Cleanup will not show up. Upgrading to Windows 10 Pro or switching out of Windows 10 S Mode will allow Disk Cleanup to be installed.
Drive Is Full or Near Capacity
Disk Cleanup requires having enough free disk space available to function properly. If your system drive (usually the C: drive) is completely full or almost full, it can prevent Disk Cleanup from running.
When your drive starts getting near full capacity, you may notice Disk Cleanup taking longer to load or the cleaning process failing to complete. This is because there is no room for Disk Cleanup to temporarily store files or move data around to complete the cleanup.
Try freeing up space on the drive by:
- Deleting unnecessary files and folders
- Uninstalling unused programs
- Emptying the Recycle Bin
Get the drive back under 85% capacity if possible. Then restart your PC and check if Disk Cleanup is working again.
Cleaning System Files Requires Admin Rights
Disk Cleanup requires administrator rights to clean up certain protected system files like temporary Windows files, system error memory dumps, and other data.
If you are signed into a standard user account instead of an admin account, Disk Cleanup will launch but you may see fewer options available. Running it “As Administrator” elevates the privileges so you can clean the full system.
To run Disk Cleanup as admin:
- Open File Explorer and go to: C:\Windows\System32
- Right-click on cleanmgr.exe and select “Run as administrator.”
- Disk Cleanup will launch with admin rights enabled.
System Restore Is Occupying Space
The System Restore feature in Windows 10 uses a portion of your hard drive to save system snapshots and restore points. This protected space is not available for Disk Cleanup to clear.
If System Restore is occupying over 10% of a disk, it can look like Disk Cleanup is not freeing up space as expected. You will need to adjust the System Restore settings to free up that space.
To reduce the space used by System Restore:
- Open the System Protection tab in System Properties (right-click This PC > Properties > System Protection)
- Click Configure and reduce the disk space allotted to System Restore
- Click OK and reboot to apply the changes
This will free up the disk space so Disk Cleanup can access it.
Disk Cleanup Is Stuck Running
Sometimes Disk Cleanup can get stuck or hang while trying to calculate how much space can be cleaned up. This often happens if you have a very large hard drive and lots of files to scan.
Other times a software conflict or corrupted system file might cause Disk Cleanup to freeze or never finish loading.
If Disk Cleanup seems to get permanently stuck, you can force close the program and try restarting your computer. To close a frozen Disk Cleanup process:
- Open Task Manager using CTRL+Shift+Esc
- Go to the Processes tab
- Locate cleaner.exe or cleanmgr.exe
- Select it and click End process to force close Disk Cleanup
After restarting your PC, check if Disk Cleanup loads properly again. You can also try running it from Safe Mode, which loads only essential system files and drivers to isolate software conflicts.
Conclusion
Disk Cleanup not showing in Windows 10 usually stems from a simple software configuration issue or corrupted files. Try re-enabling Disk Cleanup, running SFC and DISM scans, or upgrading to an edition that officially includes it. Make sure System Restore is not using too much space, drive has 15%+ free space, and run Disk Cleanup elevated as admin.
In most cases, you should be able to get Disk Cleanup functional again by tweaking settings, repairing system files, or uninstalling problem software. However, if Disk Cleanup is still missing after trying all the troubleshooting steps, a clean install or OS reset may be required to resolve any underlying system file corruption.