How to Remove Junk Files Using the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows 11
Honestly, figuring out how to free up space on Windows 11 without resorting to dodgy third-party apps was pretty tricky when I first started. The built-in Disk Cleanup tool exists, but it’s tucked away deep in the menus and isn’t immediately obvious. If your drive feels sluggish or nearly full, this might be the easiest way—if you can find it, that is.
Start by opening the Start menu—click the Windows icon in the corner. Type Disk Cleanup into the search bar. Here’s where it got a bit confusing for me; sometimes it’s unclear which option to select. It might appear under Windows Administrative Tools or be listed as Cleanmgr.exe. No worries—just look for “Disk Cleanup” and click on it once it shows up. It’s an old favourite, but still surprisingly effective once you navigate the right menus.
When you open it, you’ll be asked to choose a drive to clean. Most people will want to clean the C: drive, which is usually selected automatically. But if you’ve got multiple drives or partitions—like a D drive for backups or a separate SSD—make sure you select the correct one. Sometimes, the C drive might be greyed out or missing options, which can be a bit frustrating. If that happens, try updating your BIOS or Windows, as some OEMs lock certain options for security reasons. Alternatively, you can run cleanmgr /D C in PowerShell or Command Prompt for a quick, no-fuss clean-up.
Once you select your drive, the tool scans for files it can safely delete. This usually doesn’t take long—unless your drive’s pretty full and slow. After the scan, a list of categories appears, showing what can be cleaned out. Common items include downloaded program files, temporary internet files, error reports, DirectX Shader cache, delivery optimisation files, and temporary files—basically, all the stuff that tends to accumulate over time. Sometimes you’ll also see an option to clean system files, which can give you a deeper clean; just keep in mind this might remove some update logs or restore points, so double-check what you’re deleting.
Next, you select what to delete. It can feel a bit daunting — error reports and temp files look harmless, but I usually tick everything just to be thorough. Still, if you’re unsure, it’s wise to review each item—particularly “Windows error reports” or “Delivery Optimisation Files,” which are related to windows update caching. Some files are safe to delete, but others might be useful for troubleshooting or recovery. If you want more control, running cleanmgr with arguments like /sageset:1 lets you preset what gets cleaned, and you can run it later for regular maintenance—handy for automating the process.
When you’re ready, click “OK.” A confirmation pops up—basically asking, “Are you sure you want to delete all this?” Click “Delete Files,” and it’ll get to work. It usually takes a few minutes—maybe longer if your system’s quite cluttered. If the process hangs or seems to freeze, don’t panic. Windows can slow down or pause during cleanup—give it a minute. If it’s still stuck, you might need to force close the window or restart your PC. Just be cautious if you’ve got apps open.
Even after this, some junk can remain—especially in caches or orphaned system files. That’s when Windows Storage Settings come in handy. Head over to Settings > System > Storage and toggle options like Temporary Files or emptying your recycling bin. From my experience, this method can be quicker and easier than digging through Disk Cleanup, especially on newer builds where Microsoft keeps tweaking the interface.
One thing to bear in mind: clearing out files with Disk Cleanup can sometimes affect features like System Restore or BitLocker. Deleting TPM-related files or cache might cause issues with hardware security or encryption keys. If you’ve turned on BitLocker—particularly on laptops—make sure to back up your recovery keys before cleaning system files. Losing the TPM cache could mean losing access to encrypted drives or needing to re-verify with your recovery keys.
Hopefully, this quick guide helps you out. Once you get the hang of it, Disk Cleanup is a pretty satisfying way to keep your PC lean without installing dodgy software. Just be cautious with bigger clean-ups—double-check what you’re deleting, especially system files. It’s also a good idea to back up important data beforehand, in case you delete something vital. And if you want to run regular clean-ups automatically, you can create scripts with cleanmgr /sageset:1 and schedule them with Task Scheduler—that way, your system stays tidy without effort.
Anyway, I hope this saves someone else from wasting hours trying to find their way around hidden options. It took me ages to figure it out, so I’m sharing in case it helps someone avoid the same frustration. Keep your disks tidy, and your system will run smoother!