You can use Disk Cleanup regularly to reduce the number of unnecessary files on the drive, which can free up hard drive space and help your computer run better. It can delete temporary files and system files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove many other items you no longer need.

This guide will show you how to open and use Disk Cleanup and expand Disk Cleanup to help free up space by removing unnecessary files in Windows 10.

Part 1: To open and use Disk Cleanup

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type cleanmgr or cleanmgr / lowdisk (all items have been selected), and click OK to open Disk Cleanup.

2. If you have multiple drives or partitions on your computer, select the Windows C: drive or the drive letter you want to clean, and click OK.

3. Do step 4, step 5, step 6, or step 7 below for what you want to do.

4. To clean files only for your account

Check and deselect the items you want, click OK, and go to step 8.

5. Clean file system

  • Click the Clean up files button. (see screenshot below step 4 )
  • If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
  • Repeat step 2
  • Check and deselect the items you want, press/tap on OK, and go to step 8.

6. Uninstall Desktop program

NOTE: You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to use this option.

  • Click the Clean up system files button to upgrade (Run as administrator) Disk Cleanup. (see screenshot below step 4)
  • If prompted by UAC, then click Yes.
  • Repeat step 2 and return.
  • Click the More Options tab, and click the Clean up button under Programs and Features. (see screenshot below)

  • You can close Disk Cleanup if you want.
  • Now you can choose to uninstall any desktop programs you no longer want. (see screenshot below)

7. To Delete All except the nearest Restore Point

  • Click the Clean up system files button to upgrade (Run as administrator) Disk Cleanup. (see screenshot below step 4)
  • If prompted by UAC, then click Yes.
  • Repeat step 2.
  • Click on the More Options tab, and click the Clean up button under System Restore and Shadow Copy. (see screenshot below)

Click Delete to confirm

8. Click Delete Files to confirm.

9 . Disk Cleanup will delete the selected items and close when finished.

Part 2: To open and use Extended Disk Cleanup

1. Open an Elevated command prompt.

2. Copy and paste the following command into the elevated command prompt window and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Warning: The command prompt must be open until Disk Cleanup is complete.

Click image to see larger image. Name: Extended_Disk_Cleanup-1.png Views: 1080 Size: 13.5 KB ID: 32562

3. Select or deselect the item you want, and press OK.

4. Disk Cleanup will delete the selected items and close when finished.

5. When Disk Cleanup is finished, you can close the command prompt if you want.