How to Free Up Storage Space and Improve Performance on Windows 10/11

Introduction

In this comprehensive tutorial, I will walk you through the process of optimizing your Windows storage and enhancing system performance. By following these systematic steps, you can potentially recover between 20-100+ GB of disk space using only built-in Windows tools.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the optimization process, please ensure the following requirements are met:

• Administrative privileges are required for optimal results

• Close all running applications to prevent interference

• Exercise caution when following each step to avoid unintended consequences

Phase 1: Initial Quick Optimization Steps

Step 1: Recycle Bin Management

Navigate to your desktop and locate the Recycle Bin icon. Right-click on this icon and select "Empty Recycle Bin" from the context menu. Confirm the action when prompted. For enhanced efficiency, consider using the Shift + Delete keyboard combination for files you are certain should be permanently removed.

Step-by-step instructions:

• On the desktop, right‑click Recycle Bin → Empty Recycle Bin → Yes.

• Tip: Use Shift + Delete for files you’re 100% sure you want gone (bypasses Recycle Bin).

Step 2: Temporary File Elimination

Execute the following sequence of operations:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog

2. Type "temp" and press Enter

3. Select all files using Ctrl + A and delete them

4. Repeat the process using "%temp%" as the command

5. Optionally, execute "prefetch" command and delete contents (note: this may temporarily impact application launch speeds)

Step-by-step instructions:

• Press Win + R → type temp → Enter → Ctrl + A → Delete (Skip files “in use”).

• Press Win + R → type %temp% → Enter → Ctrl + A → Delete.

• (Optional) Press Win + R → type prefetch → Enter → Continue → Ctrl + A → Delete.
  Caution: Windows will rebuild prefetch; it’s safe but may temporarily affect app launch speed.

Phase 2: Deep System Cleaning

Step 3: Disk Cleanup Utility

Access the Disk Cleanup utility through the Start menu. Select your C: drive when prompted. Review available categories and select appropriate items for removal, such as temporary files and thumbnails. Utilize the "Clean up system files" option to access additional cleaning options including Windows Update cleanup files.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Start and type Disk Cleanup → open it → choose C:.

2. Check categories you don’t need (e.g., Temporary files, Downloads only if safe, Thumbnails).

3. Click Clean up system files → pick C: again → check Windows Update Cleanup and Previous Windows installation(s) (if present).

4. Click OK → Delete Files and wait.

Step 4: Storage Settings Configuration

Navigate to Settings > System > Storage to review your storage utilization. Access the Temporary files section and allow the system to scan for removable items. Enable Storage Sense functionality and configure automated cleanup schedules for optimal maintenance.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Settings → System → Storage: review usage by category.

2. Click Temporary files → let it scan → select items to remove (be careful with Downloads).

3. Toggle Storage Sense On → Configure to auto‑clean Recycle Bin and temp files on a schedule.

Step 5: Legacy Installation Cleanup

If you have recently upgraded Windows, the Windows.old folder may be consuming significant disk space (typically 40-50+ GB). This can be safely removed through Disk Cleanup's system files option, provided you do not intend to revert to the previous Windows version.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Safest way: It’s removed via Disk Cleanup → Clean up system files or Storage → Temporary files (as Previous Windows installation(s)).

• Only remove if you won’t roll back to the previous Windows version. It can free 40–50+ GB.

Phase 3: Major Storage Recovery

Step 6: Application Management

Access Settings > Apps > Installed apps and sort applications by size. Systematically review and uninstall applications that are no longer required. Store applications will uninstall immediately, while desktop applications may utilize their native uninstall processes.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps (Apps & features on Win10).

2. Sort by Size → uninstall what you don’t use.
   Note: Store apps uninstall instantly; desktop apps use their own uninstallers.

Step 7: Large File Detection

Open File Explorer and navigate to your C: drive. Utilize the search functionality with "size:gigantic" to locate files exceeding 4GB. Review these files carefully and relocate or remove unnecessary items to alternative storage locations.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open File Explorer → This PC → Local Disk (C:).

2. In the search box type size:gigantic (> 4 GB). If needed, try size:huge (1–4 GB).

3. Review carefully and delete/move what you don’t need (e.g., to D: drive or external storage).

Phase 4: Advanced Optimization Techniques

Step 8: Windows Update Cache Management

For advanced users, the SoftwareDistribution cache can be cleared manually. This process involves stopping the Windows Update service through services.msc, clearing the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder contents, and restarting the service. However, using Disk Cleanup's Windows Update cleanup option is recommended for most users.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Safer alternative: Prefer Disk Cleanup → Windows Update Cleanup.

• If you must clear manually:

  1. Press Win + R → type services.msc → Enter.

  2. Stop the Windows Update service.

  3. Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution → select all → Delete.

  4. Start Windows Update service again → Restart PC.

Step 9: Graphics Cache Optimization

Graphics processing unit shader caches can be cleared to recover additional space:

• NVIDIA users: Navigate to %localappdata%\NVIDIA\GLCache

• AMD users: Use AMD Software settings to reset shader cache

Note that temporary performance impacts may occur during cache reconstruction.

Step-by-step instructions:

• NVIDIA: Win + R → %localappdata% → NVIDIA → GLCache → delete contents.

• AMD: Open AMD Software → Settings → Graphics → Reset Shader Cache.
  Note: Games may micro‑stutter for ~10–20 minutes while caches rebuild.

Step 10: Drive Optimization

For traditional hard disk drives, utilize the built-in defragmentation tool on a weekly schedule. Solid-state drives automatically benefit from TRIM optimization and do not require manual defragmentation.

Step-by-step instructions:

• HDD: Open Start → Defragment and Optimize Drives → select C: → Optimize. Enable weekly schedule.

• SSD: Windows already runs Optimize (TRIM) automatically. Manual defrag isn’t needed.

TL;DR Checklist

Phase 1: Initial Quick Optimization Steps

Step 1: Recycle Bin Management

• On the desktop, right‑click Recycle Bin → Empty Recycle Bin → Yes.

• Tip: Use Shift + Delete for files you’re 100% sure you want gone (bypasses Recycle Bin).

Step 2: Clear temporary & cache files

1. Press Win + R → type temp → Enter → Ctrl + A → Delete (Skip files “in use”).

2. Press Win + R → type %temp% → Enter → Ctrl + A → Delete.

3. (Optional) Press Win + R → type prefetch → Enter → Continue → Ctrl + A → Delete.
   Caution: Windows will rebuild prefetch; it’s safe but may temporarily affect app launch speed.

Phase 2: Deep System Cleaning

Step 3: Disk Cleanup Utility

1. Open Start and type Disk Cleanup → open it → choose C:.

2. Check categories you don’t need (e.g., Temporary files, Downloads only if safe, Thumbnails).

3. Click Clean up system files → pick C: again → check Windows Update Cleanup and Previous Windows installation(s) (if present).

4. Click OK → Delete Files and wait.

Step 4: Storage Settings Configuration

1. Settings → System → Storage: review usage by category.

2. Click Temporary files → let it scan → select items to remove (be careful with Downloads).

3. Toggle Storage Sense On → Configure to auto‑clean Recycle Bin and temp files on a schedule.

Step 5: Remove Windows.old (if you upgraded)

• Safest way: It’s removed via Disk Cleanup → Clean up system files or Storage → Temporary files (as Previous Windows installation(s)).

• Only remove if you won’t roll back to the previous Windows version. It can free 40–50+ GB.

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Phase 3: Major Storage Recovery

Step 6: Uninstall large & unused apps

1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps (Apps & features on Win10).

2. Sort by Size → uninstall what you don’t use.
   Note: Store apps uninstall instantly; desktop apps use their own uninstallers.

Step 7: Find and remove huge files

1. Open File Explorer → This PC → Local Disk (C:).

2. In the search box type size:gigantic (> 4 GB). If needed, try size:huge (1–4 GB).

3. Review carefully and delete/move what you don’t need (e.g., to D: drive or external storage).

Phase 4: Advanced Optimization Techniques

Step 8: Clear Windows Update cache (SoftwareDistribution)

• Safer alternative: Prefer Disk Cleanup → Windows Update Cleanup.

• If you must clear manually:

  1. Press Win + R → type services.msc → Enter.

  2. Stop the Windows Update service.

  3. Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution → select all → Delete.

  4. Start Windows Update service again → Restart PC.

Step 9: Clear GPU shader cache

• NVIDIA: Win + R → %localappdata% → NVIDIA → GLCache → delete contents.

• AMD: Open AMD Software → Settings → Graphics → Reset Shader Cache.
  Note: Games may micro‑stutter for ~10–20 minutes while caches rebuild.

Step 10: Optimize drives (HDD vs SSD)

• HDD: Open Start → Defragment and Optimize Drives → select C: → Optimize. Enable weekly schedule.

• SSD: Windows already runs Optimize (TRIM) automatically. Manual defrag isn’t needed.

Maintenance Recommendations

To maintain optimal system performance, implement the following practices:

• Execute monthly Disk Cleanup operations

• Maintain active Storage Sense configuration

• Configure default save locations for large files to alternative drives

• Regularly review and remove unnecessary applications

Summary

By implementing these step-by-step instructions and comprehensive optimization strategies, users typically recover substantial amounts of storage space while improving overall system responsiveness. The combination of built-in Windows tools provides an effective solution for storage management without requiring third-party software installations.