Windows actually includes two separate built-in tools for clearing out unnecessary files: the classic Disk Cleanup utility (cleanmgr.exe), which has existed since early versions of Windows, and Storage Sense, the newer, automated tool found in Settings. They overlap in what they can clean, but they work quite differently, and knowing which to use when saves time.
Key takeaway: Use Disk Cleanup for a one-off deep clean, especially after a Windows update, and set up Storage Sense to handle ongoing, automatic tidying in the background from then on.
Using Disk Cleanup
- Click Start, type "Disk Cleanup," and open it.
- Select your main drive (usually C:) when prompted.
- Click "Clean up system files" — this unlocks additional categories including old Windows Update files.
- Tick the categories you want to clear, such as Temporary files, Recycle Bin, and Windows Update Cleanup.
- Click OK, then Delete Files to confirm.
Setting up Storage Sense
- Open Settings > System > Storage.
- Toggle Storage Sense on if it isn't already.
- Click into Storage Sense to configure how often it runs (Every day, Every week, or Every month) and after how many days it should clear items from your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder.
- Leave it running in the background from this point on — no further action needed.
| Feature | Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) | Storage Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Runs automatically | No, manual only | Yes, on a schedule |
| Can clean old Windows Update files | Yes | Limited |
| Can auto-clear old Downloads | No | Yes |
| Best for | Occasional deep clean | Ongoing maintenance |
Before you start: Be cautious with Storage Sense's "Downloads" auto-delete option if you regularly save important files there rather than moving them elsewhere — set a generous day threshold, such as 60 days, to avoid losing something you still needed.
Tip: Run Disk Cleanup with "Windows Update Cleanup" ticked shortly after any major Windows feature update — this single category alone often recovers several gigabytes of leftover installation files.
A simple routine combining both tools
A sensible approach for most home users is to treat these two tools as working on different timescales. Set up Storage Sense once, with sensible thresholds for the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder, and then largely forget about it — it will quietly keep the obvious clutter under control without any further input from you. Then, mark a reminder to run a manual Disk Cleanup pass roughly twice a year, or immediately after any major Windows feature update lands, since that's specifically when the largest one-off category, old Windows installation files, tends to appear and is worth clearing deliberately rather than waiting for it to be picked up automatically.
Used this way, the two tools genuinely complement rather than duplicate each other: Storage Sense handles the steady daily trickle of temporary files, while Disk Cleanup catches the occasional large one-off items that only appear around update time.
Checking how much space each tool actually freed
After running either tool, it's satisfying and genuinely useful to check the result. Open Settings > System > Storage and note the total used space before and after a Disk Cleanup pass, or check back a few days after enabling Storage Sense to see its ongoing effect over time. This isn't just for peace of mind — it also helps you judge whether your drive's space problem is a genuine temporary-file issue that these tools can fix, or a deeper issue caused by large permanent files, unused apps, or games, in which case the other storage guides on this site covering big files and app removal will likely help more than repeated cleaning passes alone.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use both Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense together?
- Yes, they're complementary rather than conflicting. Many people run Disk Cleanup occasionally for a deep clean while leaving Storage Sense on permanently for routine upkeep.
- Is Storage Sense safe to leave running automatically?
- Yes, its default settings are conservative and only target genuinely temporary and disposable files, though it's worth reviewing its Downloads auto-delete setting as noted above.
- Why does Disk Cleanup show more options after clicking "Clean up system files"?
- That button relaunches the tool with administrator rights, unlocking access to system-level categories like old Windows installation files that require elevated permissions to remove.