How To Clean C Drive In Windows 11 - Quick And Easy, by TechTutor on YouTube. 2 min 54 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 54 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 6
What you need
Steps
Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Storage. Wait for Windows to scan the drive and show what is using space.
Click Temporary files. Tick Temporary files, Recycle Bin, Delivery Optimization Files and Thumbnails. Check the Downloads box only after you review that folder, then click Remove files.
Open Disk Cleanup from Start, choose the C: drive and click OK. Click Clean up system files, tick Previous Windows installation(s) if you do not need to roll back, then confirm.
Turn on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense. Set it to run every week and choose how long Recycle Bin and Downloads items are kept.
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort by size and uninstall programs you no longer use. Move large personal files to another drive or an external disk.
Return to System > Storage to check the new free space. Empty the Recycle Bin again if files were sent there during cleanup.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not tick Downloads in Temporary files until you have opened the folder and checked what is inside.
Keep Previous Windows installation(s) if you may want to roll back a recent upgrade.
Run Storage Sense weekly so temporary files do not build up again.
Sign in with an administrator account if Windows asks for permission during Disk Cleanup.
Questions
Will cleaning the C drive delete my personal files?
Not if you avoid ticking Downloads and check each category. The cleanup tools target temporary files, Recycle Bin items and old system files.
How much space can I free?
It depends on your PC. Temporary files and old Windows installations often free the most, but the amount varies.
Is Disk Cleanup safe to use?
Yes when you review the list before deleting. Do not remove Previous Windows installation(s) if you may need to go back to the old version.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
