How To Clean C Drive In Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

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6 min. read

Published on November 4, 2025

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The C drive, often the primary partition where Windows 11 is installed, can quickly accumulate unnecessary files, leading to performance issues and storage limitations. Regularly cleaning your C drive is essential for maintaining a smooth and responsive operating system. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to effectively clean your C drive in Windows 11, freeing up valuable space and optimizing your computer’s performance.

Cleaning your C drive doesn’t require advanced technical skills. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily remove temporary files, uninstall unused applications, and optimize storage settings to keep your Windows 11 system running at its best. Let’s explore the different techniques to reclaim storage space and enhance your computer’s overall efficiency.

What Are The Steps To Clean My C Drive In Windows 11?

1. Using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows utility that helps remove temporary files, system cache, and other unnecessary data.

Press the Windows key, type “Disk Cleanup,” and press Enter.
Select the C drive from the dropdown menu and click “OK.”
In the Disk Cleanup window, check the boxes next to the file types you want to remove (e.g., Temporary files, Recycle Bin, Thumbnails).
Click “Clean up system files” to include system-related files in the cleanup.
Select the C drive again and click “OK.”
Check the boxes next to the additional file types, such as “Windows Update Cleanup” and “Previous Windows installation(s).”
Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to confirm and start the cleanup process.

2. Uninstalling Unused Applications

Removing applications you no longer use can free up a significant amount of space on your C drive.

Press the Windows key, type “Apps & features,” and press Enter.
Sort the list of applications by size to identify the largest ones.
Select the application you want to uninstall and click “Uninstall.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

3. Utilizing Storage Sense

Storage Sense is a Windows 11 feature that automatically frees up space by deleting temporary files and managing locally available cloud content.

Press the Windows key, type “Storage settings,” and press Enter.
Toggle the “Storage Sense” switch to the “On” position.
Click on “Storage Sense” to configure its settings.
Set the frequency for running Storage Sense (e.g., Daily, Weekly, Monthly).
Choose when to delete temporary files in your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder.
Enable “Automatically free up space” to have Storage Sense manage your storage automatically.

4. Deleting Temporary Files Manually

You can manually delete temporary files that might not be removed by Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense.

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type %temp% and press Enter. This will open the Temp folder.
Select all files and folders in the Temp folder (Ctrl + A).
Press Delete to remove the selected items. Skip any files that cannot be deleted.

5. Moving Large Files to Another Drive

If your C drive is filling up with large files, consider moving them to another drive or external storage.

Identify large files or folders on your C drive (e.g., videos, documents, archives).
Right-click on the file or folder you want to move.
Select “Cut.”
Navigate to the destination drive or folder.
Right-click and select “Paste” to move the file or folder.

6. Compressing Old Files

Compressing old files can save space without deleting them.

Locate the files or folders you want to compress.
Right-click on the file or folder.
Select “Properties.”
Click the “Advanced” button under the “General” tab.
Check the box next to “Compress contents to save disk space.”
Click “OK” and then “Apply.”
Choose whether to apply the compression to the selected folder only or to all subfolders and files.

Tips

Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular cleanups (e.g., weekly or monthly) to prevent your C drive from becoming cluttered.
External Storage: Utilize external hard drives or cloud storage for backing up and storing large files.
Monitor Storage: Keep an eye on your C drive’s storage usage to identify potential issues early.
Disable Hibernation: If you don’t use hibernation, disabling it can free up a significant amount of space (equal to the amount of RAM). Open Command Prompt as administrator and type powercfg /hibernate off.
Empty Recycle Bin Regularly: Remember to empty the Recycle Bin after deleting files.

Comparing Methods

Here’s a quick comparison of the methods discussed:

Method	Description	Ease of Use	Space Saved	Automation
Disk Cleanup	Removes temporary files and system cache.	Easy	Moderate	No
Uninstall Apps	Removes unused applications.	Easy	High	No
Storage Sense	Automatically manages temporary files and cloud content.	Easy	Moderate	Yes
Manual Temp Deletion	Deletes temporary files not removed by other methods.	Moderate	Low	No
Move Files	Moves large files to another drive.	Moderate	High	No
Compress Files	Compresses old files to save space.	Moderate	Low	No

Optimizing Windows 11 Storage

Cleaning your C drive in Windows 11 is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and ensuring you have enough storage space for your essential files and applications. By consistently applying these methods, you can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

FAQ

How often should I clean my C drive in Windows 11? It’s recommended to clean your C drive at least once a month, or more frequently if you notice performance issues or low storage space.

Can I delete everything in the Temp folder? Yes, it’s safe to delete the contents of the Temp folder. Some files may be in use and cannot be deleted; simply skip those files.

Is Storage Sense safe to use? Yes, Storage Sense is a built-in Windows feature designed to safely remove temporary files and manage storage.

Will uninstalling applications delete my personal files? Uninstalling an application typically only removes the application files and related data. However, it’s always a good idea to back up important files before uninstalling any software.

How do I know which files are safe to delete in Disk Cleanup? Disk Cleanup provides descriptions for each file type, helping you understand what will be removed. Generally, it’s safe to select all options except for “Downloads” if you have important files stored there.