If you’re using your computer without clean-up for a long time, you may encounter storage space issues. Windows 10 will display a warning that you’re running low on storage space and you may have to delete some files to free-it-up.
In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the step by step procedure to clean-up junk files and repeated files. Let’s figure out how.
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Disk Space Cleaners for Windows 10
Method 1: Using the in-house Disk CleanUp
Disk CleanUp is the default cleaning application that comes pre-installed with Windows 10. You can use Disk CleanUp to analyze and delete different set of junk files listed below:
Temporary Files: If you’ve too many applications installed, you could find a large amount of data under Downloaded Program Files. Mostly, this folder consists of Java applets and ActiveX controls.
Temporary Internet Files: Your browser creates these files while you navigate different websites. These files help quickly load the most frequently visited websites. Though these files are mostly beneficial, it’s a good practice to regularly delete them. Over a period of time, you might have stopped visiting certain websites. Keeping their data forever could cost you precious storage.
Windows Error Reports: These files are part of the Windows Error Reporting utility. Windows uses them to gather information about your system crashes, system issues and other possible information which could help identify the nature of the problem. If you’re frequently encountering serious issues such as the Blue Screen of Death or system reboots, we recommend keeping these files. You may need these files to diagnose your issue. If your system is running smoothly, it’s safe to delete them.
DirectX Shader Cache: Are you an avid gamer? If you’re using your computer for graphic-intensive tasks such as gaming, your system stores some frequently needed DirectX files in the Shader Cache. Just like the browser cache, these files are intended to speed up your gaming performance. If you delete these files now, Windows will recreate them again once you relaunch any graphic intensive tasks.
Delivery Optimization Files: These files are part of the Windows Update utility. If you’re familiar with the concept of seeding in Torrents, you could easily understand the functioning of these files too.
When activated, your computer downloads new Windows updates from a neighbor’s computer (or someone nearer to you), instead of downloading them from the Microsoft servers. As the data transfer distance significantly reduces, your computer downloads the updates faster than ever. But this is a two-way process. Just like the update files are transferred from someone else’ computer to your PC, Windows transfers your update files to other nearby devices. As a result, the Delivery Optimization Files could take a significant portion of your hard drive’s storage and cost you additional bandwidth. If you’re running on a limited data plan or low disk storage, you should consider deleting these files and turning off the Delivery Optimization feature.
Recycle Bin contents: Over a period of time, your Recycle Bin could accumulate too many deleted files. If you don’t need the deleted files, consider emptying your Recycle Bin.
Thumbnails: Windows generates a smaller image of the pictures, videos and documents stored on your hard disk. Thumbnails are very useful to understand the nature of a file without even opening it.
Steps:
Type Disk CleanUp in the Search Box on the Taskbar.
Open the Disk CleanUp.
Select your system drive (for example: C:) and click OK.
Select the temporary file types you want to delete.
Click OK to confirm.
Method 2: Using Third-Party CCleaner (Freeware Edition)
CCleaner is a lightweight, freemium utility that helps you clean-up the digital junk and make your PC faster. CCleaner supports cleaning different sets of temporary files, both Windows generated and third-party applications generated. Besides, you can clean up your Registry, uninstall unneeded applications, and do much more.
Steps:
Download and install CCleaner.
Click the Cleaner icon on the left.
Select the items you want to clean-up from both Windows and Applications tabs.
While checking in some of the items, CCleaner will display a warning dialog. Read it carefully and click OK if you wish to ignore it.
Once you’re finished selecting, click on the Analyze button.
CCleaner will start analyzing your files and display the potential storage space occupied by these files.
Go ahead and click Run Cleaner to start deleting.
CCleaner Pro features
The professional edition offers real-time system monitoring and scheduled junk cleaning. It supports multiple user accounts on the same computer. Just set up scheduled scans once and CCleaner will automatically do the task on its own. In contrast to the free edition, the user involvement is almost negligible.
Protect your privacy
Are you worried about your online privacy? CCleaner Pro has privacy protection functionality. It protects your privacy by deleting the browsing history and cookies whenever you’re not surfing the Internet.
Auto-updates
With CCleaner Pro, you don’t need to worry about checking new updates online. The program will auto-download and install new updates, as they are released.
Easy upgrade
Thinking to upgrade to the Pro edition? The good news is that you don’t have to download anything. Just enter your registration details and your CCleaner Free will turn into CCleaner Pro.
Wipe out deleted files
Merely deleting your files doesn’t necessarily remove their entire traces from your hard disk. Your files could still be recovered using third-party file recovery applications. Your new computer owner could un-delete your files and access your sensitive information. So how do you prevent it?
Fear not, CCleaner Pro adds up the capability to completely wipe out your deleted data. If you’re planning to sell your computer or rent it to someone else, use the CCleaner to completely destroy your deleted files. The process could take a few hours.
How to Clean Up Repeated Files
Windows 10 or prior editions don’t have any in-house functionality to delete any repeated files. You may have to download a third-party software Clone Files Checker to find and delete the repeated files.
Clone Files Checker Features:
Automatic files selection patterns
Filter files by their sizes
Filter files by their types
Wizard-based removal process
Manual file reviewing
Backup your files before deleting
Scan/ ignore hidden files, Recycle Bin contents, zero-byte files from the program settings