This time, we will show you how to display hidden disk cleanup items and free up space on your disk (HDD/SSD).
Windows 10/11 comes with a default tool called "Disk Cleanup" that can delete temporary files, but the items available in regular disk cleanup are limited.
If you run the command introduced here, items that are not normally displayed in Disk Cleanup will be displayed.
How to free up disk space
First, let's look at the free disk space before and after deleting all the hidden items:
*This was the result of running on a PC that had just performed a clean install of Windows 11 and had previously performed Windows Update.
Before disk cleanup, there is 37.2GB of free space.
After cleaning up the disk, the free space has increased to 38.3GB.
How to open Disk Cleanup normally
1. Press Windows key + R to open Run, type "cleanmgr" and press Enter.
2. In the Select Drive section, select the C drive.
Regular disk cleanup is limited to deleting 7-9 items (depending on your environment).
*If you click "Clean up system files (S)" and select the C drive again, more items will be available for deletion.
How to open the hidden Disk Cleanup
If Disk Cleanup is open, close it.
1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run, type the following command, and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter on your keyboard:
cleanmgr /sageset:12. "Disk Cleanup Settings" will open. Read the instructions, check the necessary items, and click OK.
The Disk Cleanup settings include the following 22 items (the number of items may vary depending on your environment).
*The following items may not be displayed depending on your environment.
1. Temporary Setup Files
These files should no longer be needed. They were originally created by a setup program that is no longer running.
2. Old Chkdsk files
When Chkdsk checks a disk drive for errors, it may save lost file fragments to the root folder of the disk drive.
You can delete these files as they are not needed.
3. Log file settings
A file created in Windows.
If you don't want to view the log files, you can delete them.
4. Clean up Windows Update
Windows keeps copies of all updates that you install from Windows Update, even after you install a newer version of the update.
Running Windows Update cleanup will remove or compress old, unused updates that are taking up space (you may need to restart your computer).
So if a recent update causes problems with your PC, you won't be able to uninstall it and roll it back.
[Solved] Can't uninstall Windows updates? A detailed explanation of the causes and solutions
In the Windows 10 I use,7.45GB"there was.
5. Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Non-critical files used by Microsoft Defender Antivirus
If you're not using Microsoft Defender, you can remove it.
6. Windows Upgrade Log Files
The information contained in Windows upgrade log files is used to identify and troubleshoot problems that occur during a Windows installation, upgrade, or servicing. Deleting these files makes it more difficult to troubleshoot your installation.
Deletion is not recommended.
7. Diagnostic Data Viewer database files
Files used by the Diagnostic Data Viewer application.
Deletion is not recommended.
8. Downloaded program files
These are ActiveX controls and Java applets that are automatically downloaded from the Internet when you view certain pages and are temporarily stored on your hard disk in the Downloaded Program Files folder.
Select an item to view the file.
You can delete this if you like.
9. Temporary Internet Files
The Temporary Internet Files folder contains web pages that you have saved to your hard disk for quicker access.
Disk Cleanup will remove these pages but leave your webpage personalizations intact.
If you leave temporary internet files, it may cause the latest information on web pages to not be displayed in some cases, so it is better to delete them.
10. Offline Web Pages
Offline pages are web pages that are stored on your computer so that you can view them without an internet connection.
If you delete these pages now, you can still view your favorite offline pages when you sync.
Your personal settings for the web page will not be changed.
11. System Error Memory Dump File
Deletes system error memory dump files.
Deletion is not recommended.
12. System Error Minidump Files
Deletes system error minidump files.
A system error minidump file is a file that is created when a blue screen occurs.
This file is necessary to identify the cause of the blue screen, so we do not recommend deleting it.
13. Diagnostics for Windows Errors and User Feedback
Diagnostic files generated from Windows errors and user feedback.
Deletion is not recommended.
14. BranchCache
A file created by the BranchCache service for caching data.
Deletion is not recommended.
15. DirectX Shader Cache
Cleans up files created by the graphics system.
This can potentially make your application load faster and more responsive.
These will be regenerated as needed, so you can delete them.
16. Delivery Optimization Files
Delivery OptimizationThe file was previously downloaded to your computer.
If it is not currently being used by the Delivery Optimization service, it can be deleted.
17. Language Resource Files
Remove unused language resource files such as keyboard, dictation, etc.
If you plan to use another language in the future, it is best not to delete it.
18. Trash Can
The Recycle Bin stores files that have been deleted from your computer.
Files are not permanently deleted until you empty the Recycle Bin.
What to check if files in the Recycle Bin in Windows 11 are deleted automatically
19.RetailDemo Offline Content
A file created by the demo mode used in stores, etc.
Even if you delete it, it will be created again when you use demo mode.
*This is not necessary if you are using a personal computer.
20. Temporary Files
Some applications store temporary information in specific folders.
This information may or may not be deleted automatically by the application.
If the files are not deleted automatically, they will remain and take up space on your HDD (SSD) unless you delete them yourself.
21. Reduced display
All "Images", "Videos" and "Documents" information is stored so that thumbnails can be displayed quickly when you open the folder (a cache file is created).
If you delete a thumbnail, it will be automatically recreated as needed.
22. User File History
Windows will temporarily store file versions on this disk before copying them to the specified File History disk.
If you delete these files, your file history will be lost, so we do not recommend deleting them.
How to delete files
To remove the items you just checked,
1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run, type the following command, and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter on your keyboard:
cleanmgr /sagerun:1
2. Cleanup will begin, please wait a moment.
3. When the Disk Cleanup dialog box disappears, the deletion is complete.
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