4 Ways to Clean Unnecessary Files on PC

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 08:07

The older your computer is, the more files it accumulates on your hard drive. In addition to frequently used files such as documents and media, Windows also creates temporary files. These files (including logs, cache, and downloaded installation programs) can sometimes be large. Of course these files eat up your precious hard drive space and reduce the efficiency of the computer. This wikiHow teaches you how to use Windows' built-in tools, as well as any of the third-party tools to remove unnecessary files from your hard drive.

Step

Method 1 of 4: Using the Disk Cleanup Tool

Step 1. Open Disk Cleanup

The easiest way to open it is to press the shortcut “ Windows ” + “ S ” to show the search bar first, type cleanup, and click “ Disk Cleanup ” in the search results. Disk Cleanup is one of the fastest media for deleting unneeded files created by the Windows operating system.

Step 2. Select the files you want to delete

The top section contains options for deleting personal and temporary files. Usually, you can safely delete the files, but if any of the files seem suspicious, just leave the selection blank. The amount of space that could be saved by deleting the selected files will be shown below the list of file types, and will be updated when you select or deselect the files.

• “ Downloaded Program Files ” is the installation file of the program that you have downloaded from the internet. These files are usually not needed after you install the program, unless you plan to reinstall the program.
• “ Temporary Internet Files ” are cached files that are searched using Internet Explorer.
• “ Windows error reports ” is a log file containing errors that appear when you use the computer.
• “ DirectX Shader Cache ” is a graphics cache that is used to make images on a computer load faster. These files are not required for computer operation and are safe to delete.
• “ Delivery Optimization files ” are files that have been previously downloaded and used to install updates, and are safe to delete.
• “ Recycle Bin ” is the folder containing the files you deleted. Select this option if you are sure that you do not need to restore the files in the folder at a later time.
• “ Temporary files ” is a temporary file created by various applications on the computer. These files are not designed to be stored permanently so you don't have to be afraid to throw them away.
• “ Thumbnails ” is the inset cache of pictures and videos on your computer that is displayed when you browse files. You can safely remove them, and the inset will be automatically regenerated if necessary.

Step 3. Click OK

A confirmation message will be displayed asking if you are sure you want to permanently delete the selected files.

Step 4. Click Delete Files to confirm

All selected files will be deleted afterwards.

Disk Cleanup will close automatically after the selected files are deleted

Step 5. Reopen Disk Cleanup if you need to delete some other files

If you are a computer administrator and need to delete more files, you can use Disk Cleanup again to delete system files. Just press the shortcut” Windows ” + “ S ” to show the search bar first, type cleanup, and click “ Disk Cleanup ” in the search results.

Step 6. Click Clean up system files

It's in the lower-left corner of the window. The drive will be scanned and the storage space that could be saved by deleting additional files will be calculated.

You may be asked to reselect the drive after clicking the button

Step 7. Delete old system restore points (optional)

Windows will automatically create a computer image that can be recovered in an emergency. If you run out of storage space, you can free up space by deleting old restore points that have been replaced by new ones. To delete it:

• Click the tab " More Options ” at the top of the window.
• Click " Clean up ” in the "System Restore and Shadow Copies" section.
• Click " Delete ” to delete all files, except the most recent system restore point.
• Back to tab " Disk Cleanup ” after finished to continue.

Step 8. Select the files that need to be deleted

In addition to the same file types (which you could have selected earlier), you have several other options:

• files " Windows Update Cleanup ” takes up significant storage space and is only used to install updates from Windows. Windows will automatically download the latest update files in the future so you may not need the old files unless prompted or instructed by the administrator.
• “ Microsoft Defender Antivirus ” are files that are not very important and are used by antivirus programs, and can be deleted safely.
• “ Device driver packages ”, “ Language Resource Files ", and " Temporary Windows installation files ” is temporary and can be deleted without problems.

Step 9. Click OK

A confirmation message will be displayed.

Step 10. Click Delete Files to confirm

After the files are deleted, Disk Cleanup will close automatically.

Method 2 of 4: Deleting Private Files and Apps

Step 1. Open the “Windows Storage” settings menu

Windows tracks the types of files that are taking up storage space on your hard drive and simplifies the process of deleting files you no longer need. The “Windows Storage” tool makes it easy for you to find personal files and applications you no longer need. To unlock this tool:

• Press shortcut” Windows ” + “ S ” to display the search bar.
• Type storage into the search bar.
• Click " Storage settings ” in the search results.

Step 2. Locate the files that are taking up the most space on the hard drive

Once the storage settings are loaded, you'll see the hard drive name (eg " Windows C: "), followed by a list of categories (eg " Apps & features " or " Music "). Each category represents a file type, and each has an indicator bar that indicates the storage space used by the associated file type.

To see all categories, click “ Show more categories ” below the list.

Step 3. Click a category to see the details

After that, you can see the amount of storage space used by the files in the selected category, as well as several options, depending on the type/category of files you selected.

• For example, if you select " Temporary files ”, you can see a list of temporary files on your computer.
• If you choose " Music ”, “ Pictures ", or " Desktop ”, you can see the amount of space used by the files in the folder. Click the button " View ” in it to view the available files.
• If you choose " Apps & features ”, you can see a list of all the applications installed on your computer and the storage space used by each application.

Step 4. Delete files that you no longer need

You have to be more careful. Just because Windows shows a large file or folder, doesn't mean it's unimportant to you or to others who use your computer. Only delete files that you are sure are no longer needed.

• To remove an application from the “ Apps & features ”, click the application name and select “ Uninstall ”.
• To delete a file or folder, click the file or folder once and press the “ delete ' on the keyboard. You can also drag it to the Recycle Bin icon directly.
• “ Temporary files ” lists the types of temporary files that Windows can delete, and allows you to select them from a list. After making your selection, click on the button “ Remove files ” at the top of the screen to delete the file.

Method 3 of 4: Using Storage Sense for Windows

Step 1. Open Storage Sense on PC

Storage Sense is a handy program from Windows 10 that helps you manage your hard drive so that it doesn't get overloaded with unneeded data or files. You can use Storage Sense to periodically sort and discard files, or turn on its auto-cleaning feature to let programs work behind the scenes to save space on your hard drive. Storage Sense is one of the safest media for deleting unnecessary files on your PC. To access Storage Sense:

• Press shortcut” Windows ” + “ S ” to activate the search bar first.
• Type storage.
• Click " Turn on Storage Sense ” in the search results.

Step 2. Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now

It's at the top of the right pane, below the Storage Sense description.

Step 3. Slide the “Storage Sense” switch to the on or “On” position to enable Storage Sense (optional)

If you want Storage Sense to run automatically, toggle this switch to the on position. You don't need to enable it if you only want to run it once (or only when you need it).

• Step 4. Determine the Storage Sense activation time

  If you didn't set Storage Sense to run automatically, move on to the next step. Otherwise, click the " Run Storage Space " drop-down menu to specify the time the file is deleted by Storage Space. You can choose a time range such as “ Every week ” (every week) or “ During low free disk space ” to activate it only when you run out of storage space.

  

  Step 5. Determine the files that need to be deleted

  Storage Sense will only delete certain types of files:

  • To delete temporary app files that you no longer use, check the box next to "Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using".
  • To delete files from the Recycle Bin that have been stored for a certain period of time, select a time range from the drop-down menu.
  • To delete files from the “Downloads” folder that have not been opened for a certain period of time, select a time range from the drop-down menu. If you usually leave files in the “Downloads” folder for easy access, select “ never ” from this menu so you don't lose important data.

  

  Step 6. Click Clean now to run Storage Sense

  You can click this button at the bottom of the window to discard unneeded files through the selections defined on this page, whether or not Storage Sense is running automatically. Once the files are deleted, you will see a success message at the bottom of the screen.

  Method 4 of 4: Using SpaceSniffer

  

  Step 1. Download SpaceSniffer from

  SpaceSniffer is a third-party tool that helps you describe the use of space on your hard drive by stored files. This tool makes it easy for you to identify large files that are not used, as well as delete files that are not needed. Since you get a visual overview of how much space is being used on your drive, you can better understand the types of files that are taking up space. To download SpaceSniffer:

  • Click the link " Download ” at the top of the page.
  • Click the link " Download ” which is green.
  • Click " SpaceSniffer Windows Portable ” in the "Download" section to download the SpaceSniffer ZIP file.

  

  Step 2. Extract the contents of the SpaceSniffer ZIP file

  To unpack a ZIP archive file:

  • Open the “Downloads” folder.
  • Right-click the file named " spacesniffer " that ends in ".zip."
  • Choose " Extract All… ”.
  • Specify the creation location for the SpaceSniffer folder.
  • Click " Extract ”.

  

  Step 3. Run the SpaceSniffer app

  Unlike other apps, all you need to do is double-click the file “ SpaceSniffer.exe ” in the extracted folder.

  • If you want to delete system files via SpaceSniffer, you must run them as administrator. Instead of double-clicking the app icon to open it, right-click the icon and select “ Run as administrator ”.
  • Do not delete system files through an application, unless you know what each file does.

  

  Step 4. Select the hard drive and click Start

  SpaceSniffer will scan your hard drive and display the files in a visual format.

  

  Step 5. Browse the file with SpaceSniffer

  Each file type is displayed in a box. The larger the size of the box, the more space used by the file type in question.

  • Folders are marked by peach and brown boxes, while drives are marked by orange boxes. You can double-click a drive or folder to view the files and folders in it.
  • The files are marked by blue boxes.

  

  Step 6. Delete unneeded files

  Keep in mind that you shouldn't delete a particular file unless you recognize it and know what it does. Only use this application to delete files that are safe to delete. To delete it, right-click the file and select Delete ”.

  

  Step 7. Empty the Recycle Bin after deleting unneeded files

  Files that are deleted via SpaceSniffer are moved to the Recycle Bin, just like files that you delete using File Explorer. When you're done deleting unneeded files and making sure that you really don't need them anymore, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and select “ Empty Recycle Bin ”.

  Tips

  • Scanning and deleting files doesn't need to be done every day; You can do this once a month or when the computer is running slowly.
  • Be careful not to delete important files or personal documents. If you follow this guide carefully, you won't end up deleting any important files or documents. However, it's always a good idea to check the 'Recycle Bin' before emptying it (to make sure you don't delete any important files or documents!).