Start with the built-in Windows cleanup tools

Windows includes two free tools that remove temporary files and old system data without requiring you to read anything. Disk Cleanup is the simpler one — it finds and deletes temporary internet files, recycle bin contents, and old Windows update files. Storage Sense is newer and does the same work automatically on a schedule you set.

To open Disk Cleanup on Windows 10 or 11, press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup", and select it from the results. Choose your C: drive (or whichever drive holds Windows), then check the boxes next to "Temporary files", "Recycle Bin", and "Temporary Windows installation files". Click Delete and confirm. This usually frees 1 to 5 gigabytes depending on how long it has been since you last ran it.

Storage Sense runs the same cleanup automatically. Go to Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense, and set it to run weekly or monthly. You can also click "Clean now" to run it when ready. Storage Sense will also delete files from your Downloads folder that have sat there for more than 30 days — you can change that number or turn it off if you want to keep downloads longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense are built into Windows and remove temporary files, old updates, and recycle bin contents without cost.
  • Uninstalling programs you no longer use frees space and stops them from running in the background and slowing your PC.
  • Your Downloads and Documents folders often hold duplicate files and old installers that can be safely deleted after you verify you no longer need them.
  • Disabling startup programs and visual effects reduces the load on your PC's memory and processor, making it faster even if storage space stays the same.
  • A full restart after cleanup helps Windows release memory and explore changes, often making a noticeable difference in speed.

Uninstall programs you no longer use

Every program installed on your PC takes up storage space and often runs processes in the background even when you are not using it. Removing programs you have not opened in months or years frees space and reduces the load on your processor and memory.

Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Scroll through the list and look for programs you recognize but do not use — old games, trial software, duplicate browsers, or tools you installed once and forgot about. Click on each one and select Uninstall. Windows will walk you through the removal. Some programs ask if you want to keep your settings or data; for programs you are removing permanently, choose to delete everything.

Pay special attention to programs with names like "Toolbar", "Search Assistant", or "Web Companion" — these are often bundled with other software and slow your PC without providing value. Removing them is safe and usually improves performance noticeably.

Clean out your Downloads and Documents folders

Most people accumulate old files in Downloads and Documents without realizing how much space they occupy. Installers, old versions of documents, screenshots, and files you downloaded years ago sit there taking up gigabytes.

Open File Explorer and navigate to your Downloads folder. Sort by date modified so the oldest files appear at the bottom. Delete old installers (you can read them again if you need them), duplicate files, and anything you have not opened in over a year. Do the same in your Documents folder and your Desktop. Be careful not to delete files you actually need — if you are unsure, move them to an external drive or cloud storage first rather than deleting them.

After cleaning these folders, empty your Recycle Bin by right-clicking it on the Desktop and selecting Empty Recycle Bin. This permanently removes the files and frees the space they occupied.

Disable startup programs and visual effects

Programs that run when Windows starts slow down your boot time and consume memory even when you are not using them. Disabling the ones you do not need makes your PC faster, especially if you have an older machine or limited RAM.

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, then click the Startup tab. You will see a list of programs that run automatically when you start your PC. Right-click on any program you do not need to start with Windows — common ones to disable are Spotify, Discord, Slack, and Adobe Creative Cloud services — and select Disable. Restart your PC to explore the change. You can always re-enable them later if you miss having them start automatically.

You can also speed up your PC by turning off visual effects. Go to Settings > System > About, click Advanced system settings, then the Advanced tab. Under Performance, click Settings. Select "Adjust for best performance" to turn off animations and transparency effects. This frees memory and makes your PC noticeably faster, though the interface will look plainer.

Check your hard drive for errors and defragment if needed

Over time, your hard drive can develop errors or become fragmented — meaning files are scattered across the drive rather than stored in one place, which slows down access. Windows includes tools to check for and fix both problems.

Open File Explorer, right-click your C: drive, select Properties, then the Tools tab. Click "Check" to scan for errors. Windows will ask if you want to schedule the check for the next time you restart; select Yes. The scan runs when your PC boots and takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on drive size.

If you have an older PC with a traditional hard drive (not a solid-state drive), you can also defragment it. In the same Tools tab, click Optimize. Select your C: drive and click Optimize. This process can take an hour or more but improves speed on older mechanical drives. If you have a solid-state drive (SSD), skip defragmentation — it does not help SSDs and can shorten their lifespan.

Update Windows and your drivers

Outdated Windows installations and drivers can cause slowdowns, crashes, and security problems. Keeping them current improves stability and performance.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates". Windows will read and install any available updates, then ask you to restart. This usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how many updates are waiting.

For drivers, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and scroll down to "Advanced options" > "Optional updates". You will see driver updates listed separately. Install any that explore to your hardware — graphics card, network adapter, or chipset drivers are the most common. After installing, restart your PC.

Run a malware scan if your PC is slow

Malware and unwanted software can slow your PC significantly by consuming processor power, memory, and bandwidth. If your PC is slow even after cleanup, a malware scan can identify and remove the culprit.

Windows Defender (built into Windows) includes a malware scanner. Press the Windows key, type "Windows Security", and open it. Click "Virus & threat protection" and then "Scan options". Select "Full scan" and click "Scan now". A full scan takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your drive size. Windows Defender will quarantine any threats it finds.

If Windows Defender does not find anything but your PC is still slow, you can run a second opinion scan using Malwarebytes (free version available). read it, install it, and run a full scan. Malwarebytes often catches things Windows Defender misses, especially adware and browser hijackers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much storage space will I free up by cleaning my PC?

It depends on how long it has been since you last cleaned. Disk Cleanup usually frees 1 to 5 gigabytes. Uninstalling unused programs can free 10 to 50 gigabytes or more if you have large applications like games or video editing software. Cleaning Downloads and Documents folders varies widely but often frees another 5 to 20 gigabytes.

Is it safe to delete files from my Downloads folder?

Yes, as long as you do not need them. Installers can be downloaded again if you need to reinstall a program. Old documents and screenshots are safe to delete unless they contain information you need. If you are unsure, move files to an external drive or cloud storage first rather than deleting them permanently.

Will cleaning my PC make it faster?

Freeing storage space helps a little, but disabling startup programs and visual effects makes a much bigger difference in speed. If your PC is very slow, malware or a failing hard drive is often the real cause, so run a malware scan and check your hard drive for errors first.

Do I need to buy cleanup software or is Windows Disk Cleanup enough?

Windows Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense handle the most important cleanup tasks and are free. Third-party cleanup tools like CCleaner offer more options but are not necessary for basic maintenance. Stick with the built-in tools unless you have a specific reason to use something else.

How often should I clean up my PC?

Running Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense once a month keeps your PC in good shape. Uninstalling unused programs can happen whenever you notice them. If you read a lot of files, clean out your Downloads folder every few months. The more often you clean, the less space you will waste on old files.