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Before you start
- Check personal files before selecting them for deletion.
- Keep the previous Windows installation if you may need to return to it.
A clear way through this guide.
We’ll show you one step at a time. When you’re ready, press Done — next step. You can go back or take a break whenever you like.
6 steps · Your own pace
How to free up storage on Windows 11
Step 1 of 6: Check available space
Open File Explorer and select This PC. Check the free space under your drive.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 2 of 6: Open cleanup recommendations
Open Start, Settings, System, Storage, then Cleanup recommendations.
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Step 3 of 6: Review the categories
Look through temporary files, large or unused files, files synced to the cloud, and unused apps.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 4 of 6: Choose what to remove
Select only items you no longer need. Windows shows how much space your selections could recover.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 5 of 6: Run cleanup
Select Clean up for each category you want to clear. Check your free drive space again afterward.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 6 of 6: Review automatic cleanup
For ongoing cleanup, open Storage Sense under Storage. Review its schedule and deletion options before enabling it.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Take your time. Next marks this step done.
You’ve finished this guide.
Every step is complete. You can come back and practise again whenever you like.
Your small practice task.
Try the task with something you are comfortable changing. Stop if a message asks you to erase data or spend money.
Completing the guide records your progress here; it does not check your device settings.
A common question.
Does Storage Sense clean every drive?
It works on the system drive, usually C:.
Will it automatically clear Downloads?
Storage Sense does not touch Downloads with its default settings. Review your chosen options.
Official help, if you need it.
These links provide the product’s own instructions or relevant public guidance. Settings can differ by model and software version.