Windows 11 ships with native cleanup tools that recover more space than most third-party cleaners. To free up space on the C: drive, run Storage Sense to clear temporary files, then sort installed apps by size and uninstall bloatware.
TL;DR
- Storage Sense is Windows 11's built-in replacement for the old Disk Cleanup tool.
- Go to Settings › System › Storage › Temporary files to clear Windows Update leftovers, thumbnails, and shader cache.
- Uninstall OEM bloatware by sorting Settings › Apps › Installed apps by size.
- Untick Downloads before removing temp files unless you are sure it is empty.
- Everything here is reversible or safe; drivers still arrive through Windows Update.
What is Storage Sense and how do I run it?
Storage Sense is Microsoft's modern, built-in cleanup feature in Windows 11, replacing the classic Disk Cleanup utility. A single manual run clears most temporary-file space. To run it:
- Open Settings › System › Storage.
- Click Temporary files.
- Wait for the scan. Common categories include Windows Update Cleanup (often several GB), Downloads, Thumbnails, and DirectX Shader Cache.
- Untick Downloads unless you have confirmed it is empty.
- Click Remove files.
To keep the drive tidy automatically, toggle Storage Sense to On below the Temporary files entry; it will then clean temp files and the Recycle Bin on a schedule.
How do I uninstall pre-installed bloatware?
Bloatware is the trial games, OEM utilities (Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant, Lenovo Vantage), and demo apps that ship pre-installed on new PCs. They take space and run in the background without adding value for most people. To remove them by size:
- Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps.
- Set Sort by to Size (Large to small).
- Identify pre-installed apps you do not use.
- Click the ⋯ menu on each and choose Uninstall.
Most OEM utilities are safe to remove. Driver and firmware updates continue to arrive through Windows Update, so you rarely need the vendor's own updater.
Which native tool clears the most space?
Different tools target different clutter. Use this table to pick the right one for your situation:
| Tool | Location | Best for | Typical recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Sense / Temporary files | Settings › System › Storage › Temporary files | Update leftovers, thumbnails, shader cache | Several GB |
| Installed apps (by size) | Settings › Apps › Installed apps | Bloatware and unused programs | 1–10+ GB |
| Cleanup recommendations | Settings › System › Storage › Cleanup recommendations | Large unused files, cloud-backed content | Varies |
| Delivery Optimization files | Settings › System › Storage › Temporary files | Cached update files shared with other PCs | Up to several GB |
Windows Update Cleanup and Delivery Optimization files are usually the biggest single wins. For more on update cache, see how to clear Delivery Optimization files.
Is it safe to delete temporary files in Windows 11?
Yes. The categories under Temporary files are designed to be safe to remove; Windows regenerates what it needs. The one item to watch is Downloads, which holds files you saved yourself, so untick it unless you know it is empty. Uninstalling OEM utilities is also safe because Windows Update supplies drivers independently. Storage Sense never touches your documents, photos, or installed programs you did not select. Nothing here requires Safe Mode, the registry, or third-party tools.
What else can I clean if the drive is still full?
If the C: drive is still in the red after Storage Sense and bloatware removal, look at deeper system files and hidden space:
- Hibernation file (
hiberfil.sys) can reclaim several GB; see how to disable hibernation to save space. - Old printer drivers and leftover software linger after uninstalls; see how to delete old printer drivers and leftover software.
- Heavy PC games are often the single largest item; see how to uninstall heavy PC games properly.
- Compressing the system drive is a last resort with trade-offs; read is it safe to compress the C: drive first.
For a full walkthrough, see deep cleaning Windows 11 and 10 without third-party utilities and the storage cleanup helpers hub.
FAQ
Is Storage Sense the same as Disk Cleanup?
Storage Sense is the modern replacement for Disk Cleanup in Windows 11. It cleans the same temporary files plus newer categories like Delivery Optimization, and it can run automatically on a schedule.
Will deleting temporary files break Windows?
No. Temporary files are safe to remove and Windows rebuilds them as needed. Just avoid ticking Downloads unless that folder is empty, since it contains files you saved yourself.
Can I safely uninstall OEM apps like SupportAssist or Vantage?
Yes. These vendor utilities are optional. Drivers and firmware still update through Windows Update, so removing them frees space without affecting hardware support.
Why is my C: drive still full after running Storage Sense?
The remaining space is usually taken by large programs, games, the hibernation file, or leftover drivers. Sort Installed apps by size and check Cleanup recommendations to find the biggest remaining items.
Keep your C: drive clear
Run Storage Sense first, uninstall bloatware by size, then tackle deep system files with the linked guides. For images, PDFs, and downloads cluttering the drive, Cleanor's free, browser-based storage cleanup helpers and file compression tools run locally with nothing uploaded, so you can shrink large files before they fill the disk again. And when the phone feeding files to your PC is also full, Cleanor for iOS and Android clears duplicates and large media at the source.