5 Best C Drive Cleaners for Windows 11 with How-To Guides

How to clean the C drive in Windows 11? What should I do when my C drive is full? Don't panic when your computer slows down in booting, launching applications, or loading games due to lack of storage space on the system C drive. On this page, we will introduce you to the top 5 C drive cleaner software. You can choose any one of them and follow the respective guide to clean up your system C drive volume on Windows 11 and other operating systems.

如何清理Windows 11的C盘？5个你不能错过的最佳C盘清理工具

This guide will outline the steps to clean up your "C" drive to reclaim storage space and ensure optimal system performance. Numerous tools are available for tidying up your "C" drive and freeing up space on the Windows 11 system disk; however, the most effective tools for this purpose are:

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Although various tools are available to free up space on the "C" drive, some methods require manually deleting unwanted files, while others automate the process. For a comprehensive solution, we recommend using Todo PCTrans, as it offers multiple features compared to Disk Cleanup, Storage Sense, Apps & Features, and OneDrive.

Here's how you can use these tools to clean up your "C" drive right now.

Tool 1. Todo PCTrans Tool

All-in-One "C" Drive Cleanup Software

The Todo PCTrans Free tool offers numerous features, allowing you to easily clean up the C drive for free. The key features of Todo PCTrans for cleaning the "C" Drive include:

1. System Cleanup

Over time, your system accumulates unnecessary files that consume space and drain your resources. Consequently, you risk running out of disk space and experiencing a slower system performance if you don't regularly clean your computer. To eliminate these unwanted files, you can utilize the System Cleanup feature.

• This feature assists in removing junk files from the System, Browser, Windows Built-in Applications, and other Apps.
• Besides saving your disk space, it also enhances your system's performance.
• Furthermore, routinely cleaning junk files on the system disk keeps your PC as good as new.

Here's the process to use System Cleanup to clean your computer:

Step 1. Launch Todo PCTrans on your computer. Click "System Cleanup" and then hit the "Scan" button to proceed.

Step 2. Once the scan is finished, junk files will be listed. Select the unwanted files. Be cautious not to accidentally delete files that may affect the normal functioning of your computer or software.

Step 3. Click the "Clean Up" button and confirm the cleanup operation. You can regularly use this feature to free up disk space.

Now, your computer is free of all junk files, and you'll have more free space on your system. Additionally, removing these files can help speed up downloads, quicken virus scans, enhance streaming performance, and boost your computer's overall performance.

Please feel free to share this feature of Todo PCTrans tool to help your friends online clean up their C drive immediately:

2. Large File Cleanup

Our hard disk drives often run out of space, and our system becomes slow. This might be due to the files stored on your C Drive, which could be either unnecessary or large, resource-consuming ones that you might need occasionally. These files can include log files, temporary files, or installation apps for programs installed on your system. Hence, when your hard drive is running low on space, it's time to clear out some unneeded large files.

The most efficient way to clean up your hard drive is by identifying the largest files on your C Drive. The Large File Cleanup tool from Todo PCTrans simplifies the process of locating and deleting these files from your hard drive.

Large File Cleanup consists of two folders:

• Folder 1: The Move and Delete Large Files option allows you to move or delete large files from the chosen drive(s).
• Folder 2: The Move Default Folder option enables you to relocate personal folders (like Desktop, Documents, etc.) to another location to conserve disk space.

Important: Do not delete files from the installation directory of your programs, or you might not be able to use them.

3. App Management

This feature assists you in locating and uninstalling corrupted apps, as well as removing unnecessary large software from the system C drive.

4. App Migration

It assists in moving programs to another drive, like from the C drive to the D drive, without any boot problems.

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Tool 2. Disk Cleanup

It is a built-in Windows tool to clean up the C Drive. The Disk Cleanup utility identifies and removes unnecessary files that the operating system no longer needs. This tool features a straightforward interface, allowing you to erase system files that make up a substantial portion of unwanted files on your computer.

使用磁盘清理工具，您可以轻松清理"C"驱动器中的以下文件：

1. Clean up system files 2. Windows Update cleanup 3. Downloaded Program Files 4. Temporary Internet Files 5. Recycle Bin 6. Temporary Files 7. Thumbnail cache 8. User file history, etc.

Below is the tutorial on how to run the Disk Cleanup app to clean up the C drive, provided by Microsoft:

Step 1: Start by clicking the search icon on the taskbar, typing "disk cleanup," and selecting it from the search results.

Step 2: Next, select the checkbox next to the files you want to delete. By default, the app chooses Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails. Deselect those checkboxes if you don't want to remove those files.

Step 3: To free up more space, choose Clean Up System Files. Next, select the system files you want to remove. The Disk Cleanup utility may take a few minutes to calculate how much space can be recovered.

Step 4: After choosing the files you want to remove, click OK, then in the confirmation window, select the Delete Files option to initiate the cleanup process.

Note:

1. You also have the option to Compress Your OS Drive in the Disk Cleanup app. When you choose this option, it compresses the drive where Windows is installed, enabling you to free up additional space for installing crucial updates. Compressing files does not delete the contents of the "C" drive, and you won't encounter issues when opening or saving files from the compressed drive.
2. After installing the updates, you can manually decompress the "C" drive at any point. To do this, open File Explorer from the taskbar, then in the left pane, select This PC. Next, right-click or tap and hold the "C" drive, and choose Properties. Deselect the checkbox for Compress this Drive to Save Disk Space, then click Apply > OK.

Tool 3. Storage Sense

Disk Usage Checker and Disk Cleanup Tool This phrase translates to "磁盘使用情况检查器和磁盘清理工具" in Chinese.

Storage Sense is a feature in Windows that automates disk cleanup tasks. It monitors the storage space on your computer and performs cleanups when space is running low. It handles basic tasks such as emptying your recycle bin, removing old files from your downloads folder, and deleting temporary files on your system. In Windows 11, the Storage Sense tool can be found directly under "Storage Management."

You can use this tool to clean up the "C" drive:

1. 1. Delete Temporary Files
2. 2. Automatically empty the Recycle Bin and temp files when enabled
3. 3. Set OneDrive to store files online only
4. 4. Free up disk space

How Storage Sense Functions

If Storage Sense is enabled by default, it runs when your storage space is low and clears out unnecessary temporary files. It also empties the Recycle Bin, but it won't touch items in your Downloads folder or OneDrive unless you configure Storage Sense to do so.

以下是使用Storage Sense的步骤：

Important: Storage Sense works only on the "C" drive. To free up space on any other drive, go to More Storage settings and then select View storage usage by app on other drives.

Step 1. Enable Storage Sense

To enable Storage Sense, follow these steps:

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage. 2. Under Storage Sense, turn on Storage Sense.

**Step 2. Choosing What to Cleanup from C Drive** 在第二步中，您将选择要从C盘清理的内容。

1. Navigate to Start > Settings > System > Storage. 2. Select "Cleanup recommendations." 3. Storage Sense will automatically display a list of items you can review and clean up from the C drive.

• Temporary files: Downloads are the most substantial type of file in your Personal Downloads folder, which can occupy a significant amount of space on the C drive.
• Large or unused files: This includes your older files that are either unused or recent content saved on the Desktop.
• Files synced to the cloud: It keeps track of files synced to the OneDrive cloud that you haven't removed or cleaned up from your computer, thereby occupying a certain amount of storage space.
• Unused apps: These are applications that are installed but not used, or software that you haven't utilized recently.

And you can directly open them one by one to clean them up yourself.

Note: When you select these preferences, files are not permanently erased, and they can be made locally available again if free disk space and network connectivity permit. However, any file marked as "Always keep on this device" is excluded, and Storage Sense will not manage it.

Tool 4. App & Features

Another efficient method to clean up your "C" drive is by using the built-in App Manager in Windows. This feature enables you to uninstall applications that you no longer use or seldom utilize. Through this tool, you can:

1. 1. Check the app's size
2. 2. Uninstall apps that you don't need or are too large (guide)
3. 3. Move some installed apps to a different location (only for certain apps)

You can clean up the C drive using Apps & Features in Windows 11. Here are the steps:

Here's the translation in English: 1. The first step is to Open Settings. 2. Next, click on Apps. 3. In it, click on Apps & Features. 4. Choose the "Sort by" filter and select View By Size to quickly identify the apps and games taking up the most space. 5. The next step is to select the item you wish to remove. 6. Now, click the Uninstall button.

Click the "Uninstall" button. (Translation: Click on the "Uninstall" button.)

• Click the uninstall button again.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Follow the same process if you need to uninstall more unwanted apps or games from your device.

Tool 5. OneDrive

The Microsoft OneDrive Files On-Demand feature enables you to access all your cloud storage in OneDrive, eliminating the need to download files and occupy file storage space on Windows 11. This feature stores only file metadata locally, allowing you to browse your files without compromising your local storage.

OneDrive 功能：

1. 1. Set OneDrive Files to Online Only
2. 2. Set File Explorer Files to Online Only

Here are the steps to use the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature:

首先，如果默认未开启，请打开“按需文件”功能。

• Now, right-click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar and choose Settings.

• In Settings, under "Files On-Demand", activate the feature "Save Space and Download Files as You Use Them" by checking the box.

Next, click OK.

To disable the Files On-Demand feature, uncheck the box mentioned in Step 2. Keep in mind that disabling this feature will download files that are set to sync with OneDrive.

• Free Up Space

If you're running out of space, you can easily make files available online, even without an internet connection. To do this, right-click on one or more files and then select the "Free Up Space" option from the "Context Menu." You can still view these files in File Explorer, but they'll be displayed with a cloud icon, and you'll need an active internet connection to open them.

What Happens if We Don't Clean Up C Drive?

The all-important "C" drive is the heart of most computers. It's where the operating system resides and where all essential files are stored. However, it's also the drive that frequently runs out of space due to endless Windows updates, downloaded files, application temporary files, and the general tendency for everything to save on the "C" drive.

If you don't clean up the C drive in a timely manner, your PC might encounter the following issues:

• Consequently, your PC might have limited free space and experience slow startup times.
• In addition, file transfers could slow down, programs might take longer to respond, and applications could fail to open.
• Furthermore, you might encounter difficulties installing crucial Windows updates, which could impact your PC's speed and performance.

Thus, cleaning up the "C" drive becomes essential for efficient computer performance. Additionally, it assists in keeping your PC up to date and running smoothly.

More Information About Other Windows Uninstall Tools:

Download Windows Installer Cleanup Utility

Searching for an official method to perform Windows Installer Cleanup Utility Download? This article offers comprehensive details about the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility on Windows 7/10/11.

Conclusion

Although there are numerous cleaning utilities available for tidying up the "C" Drive in Windows 11, Todo PCTrans stands out as an "All-in-One" solution for thoroughly cleansing the "C" Drive and freeing up storage space. Refer to the guide above to learn the step-by-step process of cleaning the "C" Drive in Windows 11.

In addition to using third-party C drive cleaning software, you can also utilize built-in Windows tools such as Disk Cleanup, Storage Sense, Apps & Features, etc., to free up space on your C drive and improve your Windows computer's performance.

Frequently Asked Questions About C Drive Cleaner

< strong > 1. Is it safe to use Disk Cleanup on the C drive?

The short answer is Yes, but it depends. In most instances, using Disk Cleanup to tidy up the C drive is fast, efficient, and secure. However, occasionally, you might accidentally delete crucial files to the Recycling Bin and fail to recover them later. When you run Disk Cleanup on the C drive and clear the Recycling Bin, you could lose those important files. Therefore, it's crucial to verify and double-check if the targeted items contain any essential data you need on the C drive. If you find yourself in a similar situation, continue reading to learn how to recover deleted files from Local Disk C.

**2. What can I delete from the C drive to free up space?**

• Desktop items: Downloads, Pictures, Videos, Documents, etc., user data
• Temporary Files: Windows update backup, software caches, system caches, etc.
• Recycle Bin content: The recycled data can be removed to free up a certain size of space on the C drive.

3. How do I run a C drive cleaner in Windows 7?

1. Firstly, download and install Todo PCTrans on your Windows 7 system. 2. Secondly, launch the software and navigate to System Cleanup. 3. Scan the C drive to identify what is occupying space on the Windows 7 system disk. 4. Select unnecessary system files for deletion. 5. Proceed to the Large File Cleanup feature and scan for large files and folders on the C drive. 6. For unneeded content, choose and delete them from the C drive. 7. For valuable large files and folders, select them to move to another partition with ample storage space.