Delete files using Disk Cleanup
You can use Disk Cleanup to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your drives, which can help your PC run faster. It can delete temporary files and system files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove a variety of other items that you might no longer need.
To delete files
The following procedure deletes files associated with your user account. You can also use Disk Cleanup to delete system files on your PC.
Open Disk Cleanup by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Disk Cleanup in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files.
In the Drives list, tap or click the drive that you want to clean up, and then tap or click OK.
In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, on the Disk Cleanup tab, select the check boxes for the file types that you want to delete, and then tap or click OK.
In the message that appears, tap or click Delete files.
To delete system files
The following procedure deletes system files on your PC. This option, in addition to cleaning up the files associated with your account, allows you to delete previous Windows installations, Windows Defender files, and Windows upgrade log files that you might no longer need.
Open Disk Cleanup by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Disk Cleanup in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files.
In the Drives list, tap or click the drive that you want to clean up, and then tap or click OK.
In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, tap or click Clean up system files.
You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
In the Drives list, tap or click the drive that you want to clean up, and then tap or click OK.
In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, on the Disk Cleanup tab, select the check boxes for the file types that you want to delete, and then tap or click OK.
In the message that appears, tap or click Delete files.
The More Options tab is available when you choose to clean system files from your PC. This tab includes two additional ways to free up even more space:
Programs and Features. This option opens Programs and Features in Control Panel, where you can uninstall programs that you no longer use. The Size column in Programs and Features shows how much space each program uses.
System Restore and Shadow Copies. With this option, you can delete all but the most recent restore point on the drive.
System Restore uses restore points to return your system files to an earlier point in time. If your PC is running normally, you can save space by deleting the earlier restore points.
In some editions of Windows, restore points can include previous versions of files, known as shadow copies, and backup images. These files and images will also be deleted.
