What does the Disk Cleanup tool do in Windows? [Updated for 2024]

A lack of disk space can slow down all operations, including core processes. Most of the time, this is due to temporary files, junk files, and cached web content taking up important disk space.

Is there a best way to get rid of these files and optimize system performance? The answer is as straightforward as you'd imagine: Disk Cleanup! This article will delve into Disk Cleanup and attempt to answer the question, “What does Disk Cleanup do?” Read on.

What is Disk Cleanup?

Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility in the Windows operating system that allows users to scan their hard drive and remove files that take up unnecessary space, such as temporary files, caches, and items in the Recycle Bin. Once launched, this Windows tool displays all available files and the disk space they occupy.

Then you can choose which files to delete and which to keep.

The Benefits of Disk Cleanup

Disk cleanup tools save you the time and effort of finding files that are taking up extra space on your Windows computer. This utility scans all your files in seconds! With this tool, you can choose which files to delete and which to keep.

Since disk cleanup helps remove unnecessary files from your computer, it contributes to the secure operation of other important programs. This is because it frees up additional storage space after the cleanup process.

2. Does Disk Cleanup remove viruses from a Windows device?

While the primary function of Disk Cleanup is to remove unnecessary files from your computer, it can also help get rid of viruses that may have come in with downloaded files. Since the tool deletes all data associated with a given file, it ensures your device is free from undetected viruses.

However, it is important to note that Disk Cleanup should not be used as a substitute for an antivirus tool, as it is not designed for this purpose.

How do I open Disk Cleanup on Windows?

Now that you're aware of the benefits disk cleanup provides for your device, it's essential to learn how to open it correctly. Here's a simple method to access Disk Cleanup on a Windows computer:

1. How to Open Disk Cleanup on Windows 11/10/8.1/8

If your computer uses one of these operating systems, you can run Disk Cleanup by following these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows logo key + X.

< b > Step 2: < /b > In the Super User Task Menu, click “Run.”

Click Run.

< b > Step 3:< /b > Type < b > cleanmgr< /b > and press < b > Enter.< /b > This will open the Disk Cleanup tool.

2. Open Disk Cleanup on Windows 7 or Earlier

If you're using Windows 7 or an older version of the OS, do the following to open Disk Cleanup:

Step 1: Click the Start button.

Step Two: Click on "My Computer."

Step 3: Right-click on your hard drive and select “Properties.”

Select Properties

4. Click the “Disk Cleanup” button to open it under the “General” tab.

Click on “Disk Cleanup”

What does disk cleanup do?

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows tool that scans your computer for unimportant files, internet caches, and temporary files, then safely deletes them to free up space on your hard drive, which can improve overall system performance.

With this magical tool, you can schedule cleanups automatically or perform them manually when needed. Here's how to use the Disk Cleanup tool to tidy up your Windows computer:

Step 1: Open the File Explorer.

Step 2: Right-click on the hard drive icon and select "Properties."

Step 3: Click “Disk Cleanup” under the “General” tab.

Step 4: Disk Cleanup will now calculate how much space you can free up on your computer. Wait for this process to complete.

5. Once the list of files to be deleted appears, check off all the files you want to get rid of, then click “OK.”

Select the files you want to delete, then click “OK”.

Step 6: Click the "Delete Files" button in the pop-up window. Wait for the disk cleanup to finish. When it's done, your computer will have more space for other important files.

If you suspect that your computer has slowed down due to a buildup of temporary files or unnecessary items, you can use Disk Cleanup to fix this issue. This tool will scan your computer thoroughly and provide a list of all the removable files to improve your device's overall performance.

Follow the steps in this section, and Disk Cleanup is very easy to use. Just work through the prompts, and you'll free up space on your computer in no time!

Final Judgment

The best way to clear unnecessary files from a Windows computer is with the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Try running it if your computer is running slowly to see its magic in action. Since it helps remove unnecessary files and other web caches, this tool can also assist in getting rid of viruses on your computer.

In the long run, it optimizes your computer's overall performance. This tool also saves you time and effort since it quickly identifies all unnecessary files on your computer's hard drive. Make sure to start using Disk Cleanup today and enjoy its amazing benefits. I hope you found this tutorial helpful!

Frequently Asked Questions About Disk Cleanup

Common questions about Disk Cleanup on Windows include:

1. Is disk cleanup safe, and does it speed up computer performance?

Yes, Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility, and it is safe to use while scanning for unnecessary files on your hard drive. This tool helps identify and remove unimportant files that take up extra disk space, thereby improving the overall performance of your device.

2) What files should I delete during a disk cleanup?

For improved system performance, you might consider removing the following files:

• Program files that you've downloaded. • Log files. • Offline Web pages. • Temporary Internet files.

Why does disk cleanup take so long?

Normally, Disk Cleanup should scan your device for unnecessary files in a short amount of time. However, if this built-in utility takes forever to scan your computer, it might be due to corrupted or missing system files. Since the tool requires these files to function properly, it won't work as intended when they're absent.

Please make sure your computer is up to date so it can download the necessary system files and avoid this issue.