How To Clean Up Windows 11

People are currently reading this guide.

Alright, let's get your Windows 11 running smoothly and feeling fresh again! It's amazing how much digital clutter can accumulate over time, isn't it? Have you noticed your computer slowing down lately, or are you just looking to optimize its performance? Whatever your reason, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a thorough cleanup of your Windows 11 system, step by step.

Step 1: The Initial Sweep - Removing Temporary Files

This is often the quickest and easiest way to free up some valuable disk space and potentially improve performance. Windows and various applications create temporary files that are sometimes not automatically removed. Let's get rid of them!

Using Storage Sense (Recommended)

Storage Sense is a built-in Windows feature that can automatically manage temporary files and even empty your Recycle Bin on a schedule. Here's how to use it:

Open the Settings app: You can do this by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, or by searching for "Settings" in the Start Menu and clicking on the app.
Navigate to System: In the Settings window, click on the "System" option.
Select Storage: On the left-hand sidebar, click on "Storage".
Configure Storage Sense:
- Toggle the "Storage Sense" option to On. This will enable automatic cleanup.
- Click on "Storage Sense" to configure its settings. Here, you can:
  - Set how often Storage Sense runs (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or when disk space is low).
  - Choose how often to automatically delete temporary files that your apps aren't using.
  - Configure how often to empty your Recycle Bin.
  - You can also click the "Run Storage Sense now" button to perform an immediate cleanup.

Manual Removal of Temporary Files

If you prefer a more hands-on approach, or if you want to remove specific types of temporary files, you can do it manually:

Open the Run dialog: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
Type %temp% and press Enter: This will open the temporary files folder for your user account.
Select all files and folders: Press Ctrl + A to select everything in the folder.
Delete the selected items: Press the Delete key or right-click and select "Delete". Some files might be in use and cannot be deleted; simply click "Skip" for these.
Empty the Recycle Bin: After deleting the temporary files, don't forget to empty your Recycle Bin to permanently remove them and free up disk space. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select "Empty Recycle Bin".

Step 2: Uninstalling Unnecessary Programs

Over time, you might have installed programs that you no longer use or need. These programs can take up valuable disk space and sometimes even run in the background, consuming system resources. Let's declutter your installed applications.

Open the Settings app: Again, press Windows key + I or search for "Settings".
Navigate to Apps: In the Settings window, click on "Apps".
Select Installed apps: This will display a list of all the applications installed on your computer.
Identify unwanted programs: Carefully go through the list and identify any programs you no longer use or need. Consider programs you haven't used in a long time or those you don't remember installing.
Uninstall the programs:
- Click on the three dots (...) next to the program you want to uninstall.
- Select "Uninstall".
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process. Some programs might open their own uninstaller window.

It's important to be cautious when uninstalling programs. Make sure you know what the program is before removing it, especially if it looks like a system component.

Step 3: Managing Startup Apps

Many applications are configured to automatically start when you boot up your computer. While some of these might be essential, others can slow down your startup time and consume system resources in the background. Let's manage your startup apps.

Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard, or right-click on the Taskbar and select "Task Manager".
Go to the Startup tab: In the Task Manager window, click on the "Startup" tab.
Review the list of startup apps: This tab shows you the applications that are configured to run at startup and their "Startup impact" (High, Medium, Low, or Not measured).
Disable unnecessary startup apps:
- Select the application you want to prevent from starting automatically.
- Click the "Disable" button in the bottom right corner of the Task Manager window.
- You can also right-click on the application and select "Disable".

Be careful when disabling startup apps. Avoid disabling essential system processes or applications you know you need to run at startup (e.g., your antivirus software).

Step 4: Disk Cleanup Utility

Windows has a built-in Disk Cleanup utility that can help you remove various types of unnecessary files, including temporary internet files, system error memory dump files, and more.

Open File Explorer: Press Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Right-click on your system drive (usually C:) and select "Properties".
Click on the "Disk Cleanup" button: In the Disk Properties window, under the "General" tab, click on the "Disk Cleanup" button.
Select the files you want to delete: The Disk Cleanup utility will scan your drive and present you with a list of file categories you can remove. Check the boxes next to the categories you want to clean up (e.g., Temporary Internet Files, Delivery Optimization Files, Recycle Bin).
Optional: Clean up system files: For more thorough cleanup, click the "Clean up system files" button. This will require administrator privileges and will scan for additional files like Windows Update cleanup files and system error memory dump files. After scanning, select the additional file categories you want to remove.
Click "OK": Once you've selected the files you want to delete, click "OK" and then "Delete Files" to confirm.

Step 5: Defragment and Optimize Drives

Over time, files on your hard drive can become fragmented, meaning parts of the same file are stored in different locations on the drive. This can slow down file access times. Windows has a built-in tool to defragment and optimize your drives. Note: This is primarily beneficial for traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Solid-state drives (SSDs) should not be defragmented as it can reduce their lifespan. Windows usually optimizes SSDs automatically.

Open File Explorer: Press Windows key + E.
Right-click on your drive (C:) and select "Properties".
Go to the "Tools" tab: In the Disk Properties window, click on the "Tools" tab.
Click the "Optimize" button: Under the "Optimize and defragment drive" section, click the "Optimize" button.
Select your drive and click "Analyze" (for HDDs) or "Optimize":
- If you have an HDD, you can first click "Analyze" to see the current fragmentation level. Then, click "Optimize" to defragment the drive.
- If you have an SSD, simply click "Optimize". Windows will perform the appropriate optimization for your SSD.
Close the Optimize Drives window.

Step 6: Checking for Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses can significantly slow down your computer and cause various issues. Regularly scanning your system with a reputable antivirus program is crucial for maintaining its health and performance.

Use Windows Security (Microsoft Defender): Windows 11 comes with a built-in antivirus and security suite called Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender). It provides real-time protection and can scan your system for threats.
- Search for "Windows Security" in the Start Menu and open the app.
- Click on "Virus & threat protection".
- Click on "Quick scan" to perform a quick scan of common areas.
- For a more thorough scan, click on "Scan options" and select "Full scan". This will take longer but will check all files and programs on your drive.
- Click "Start scan".
Consider a third-party antivirus: While Windows Security is generally good, you might consider using a third-party antivirus program for additional protection. If you have one installed, make sure it's up to date and run a full system scan.

Step 7: Updating Windows and Drivers

Keeping your Windows operating system and device drivers up to date is essential for security, stability, and performance. Updates often include bug fixes and optimizations.

Open the Settings app: Press Windows key + I or search for "Settings".
Navigate to Windows Update: On the left-hand sidebar, click on "Windows Update".
Check for updates: Click the "Check for updates" button. Windows will scan for available updates and download and install them automatically. You might need to restart your computer to complete the installation.
Optional: Check for driver updates: While Windows Update often includes driver updates, you might need to manually update specific drivers, especially if you're experiencing hardware-related issues. You can usually find the latest drivers on the manufacturer's website for your specific hardware components (e.g., graphics card, motherboard).

Step 8: Cleaning Up Your Browser

Your web browser can also accumulate temporary files, browsing history, cookies, and extensions that can slow it down. Cleaning up your browser can improve its performance and protect your privacy. The steps vary slightly depending on the browser you use (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox). Here's a general guide for Microsoft Edge:

Open Microsoft Edge.

Click on the three dots (...) in the top right corner.

Select "Settings".

Click on "Privacy, search, and services" in the left sidebar.
Under "Clear browsing data", click on "Choose what to clear".
Select the time range (e.g., "All time").
Check the boxes for the data you want to clear (e.g., Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files).
Click "Clear now".
Manage extensions: In the Edge menu (three dots), go to "Extensions". Review the list of installed extensions and remove any you no longer need or use. Too many extensions can impact browser performance.

Step 9: Organizing Your Files and Folders

While not directly related to performance, organizing your files and folders can make it easier to find what you need and can indirectly improve your overall computing experience. Consider deleting or archiving old files you no longer need and organizing the rest into logical folders.

Step 10: Consider a Fresh Start (Advanced)

If your computer is still running poorly after trying all the above steps, you might consider performing a "Fresh Start" or even a clean installation of Windows 11.

Fresh Start: This option reinstalls Windows while keeping your personal files and some settings. It removes apps that came with your PC (except those from Microsoft Store), apps you installed, and changes you made to settings. To do this, search for "Fresh Start" in the Start Menu and follow the prompts.
Clean Installation: This is a more drastic measure that involves completely wiping your hard drive and installing a fresh copy of Windows 11. Make sure to back up all your important data before performing a clean installation. You will need a Windows 11 installation media (e.g., a USB drive).

Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)

How to check my disk space usage in Windows 11?

Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
Click on "This PC" in the left sidebar.
You will see a visual representation of your drive(s) and the used/free space.

How to disable notifications in Windows 11?

Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Click on "System".
Select "Notifications".
You can toggle "Notifications" to Off to disable all notifications, or customize individual app notifications.

How to update my graphics card drivers?

Identify your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon, Intel Iris Xe).
Go to the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
Find the "Drivers" or "Support" section.
Search for drivers specific to your graphics card model and operating system.
Download and install the latest drivers.

How to change my default browser in Windows 11?

Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Click on "Apps".
Select "Default apps".
Find the "Web browser" entry and click on the currently selected browser.
Choose your desired default browser from the list.

How to free up RAM in Windows 11?

Close unnecessary applications.
Disable unnecessary startup programs (as described in Step 3).
Check for and close resource-intensive processes in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Consider upgrading your RAM if your system frequently runs out of memory.

How to run a system file checker scan in Windows 11?

Open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for "cmd", right-click, and select "Run as administrator").
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
The System File Checker will scan for and attempt to repair corrupted system files.

How to back up my files in Windows 11?

Use File History (search for "File History" in the Start Menu).
Use OneDrive or another cloud storage service.
Copy files to an external hard drive or USB drive.
Consider using third-party backup software.

How to restore my system to a previous point in Windows 11?

Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start Menu and open System Properties.
Click the "System Restore" button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and restore your system. Note: System Restore needs to be enabled beforehand to have restore points available.

How to reset Windows 11 to factory settings?

Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
Click on "System".
Select "Recovery".
Under "Reset this PC", click the "Reset PC" button.
Follow the on-screen prompts to choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.

How to monitor my system performance in Windows 11?

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Go to the "Performance" tab.
Here, you can monitor CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, network usage, and GPU usage in real-time.

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide helps you effectively clean up your Windows 11 system and improve its performance! Let me know if you have any more questions.

1144240802082354407