How to Clean C Drive in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Running out of space on your C drive can be frustrating. You open your computer, try to install a new app, or save a file, and Windows 11 politely reminds you—your disk is full. The C drive is where your operating system lives, so when it’s cluttered, your PC can slow down, freeze, or even fail to update.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to free up space and keep your computer running smoothly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to clean your C drive in Windows 11, using both built-in tools and smart manual tricks.

Why Cleaning the C Drive Is Important

Think of your C drive as your desk. If it’s messy and piled high with papers, working becomes difficult. Your PC feels the same way when unnecessary files are left sitting around.

Cleaning your C drive helps:

Boost system performance
Free up storage for important files
Prevent update failures
Extend the life of your SSD or HDD

Step 1: Check How Much Space Is Used

Before diving into cleanup, you’ll want to see what’s eating up space.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to System > Storage.
Under “Local Disk (C:)” you’ll see a breakdown of space usage—apps, temporary files, system files, and more.

This helps you know where to target your cleanup efforts.

Step 2: Use Storage Sense

Windows 11 comes with a built-in feature called Storage Sense that can automatically free up space.

Go to Settings > System > Storage.
Toggle on Storage Sense.
Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
Choose how often you want it to clean (daily, weekly, monthly, or when space is low).

This tool deletes temp files, clears recycle bin items, and removes cloud-synced files you don’t use often.

Step 3: Run Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup has been around for years, and it’s still effective.

Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and hit Enter.
Select C: Drive.
Check categories like Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, Thumbnails, and Delivery Optimization Files.
Click OK, then confirm with Delete Files.

For deeper cleaning, choose Clean up system files to remove old Windows updates.

Step 4: Uninstall Unnecessary Apps and Programs

Apps and games can hog massive amounts of space.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Scroll through the list and remove what you don’t use.
Right-click an app and select Uninstall.

Pro tip: Check for big games, trial software, or duplicate apps you never touch.

Step 5: Delete Temporary Files Manually

Even after running cleanup tools, some temp files may remain.

Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
A folder full of temporary files will open.
Press Ctrl + A to select all, then press Delete.

Don’t worry—these are safe to remove.

Step 6: Clear the Downloads Folder

The Downloads folder is like a junk drawer—it collects everything.

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to This PC > Downloads.
Delete or move files you no longer need.

If you often forget, set reminders to clear this folder every few weeks.

Step 7: Empty the Recycle Bin

When you delete files, they don’t disappear—they move to the Recycle Bin.

Right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
Select Empty Recycle Bin.
Confirm deletion.

This instantly frees up gigabytes if you haven’t cleared it in months.

Step 8: Disable Hibernation

Hibernation creates a large system file (hiberfil.sys) that can eat several gigabytes. If you don’t use it, disable it.

Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Type:

powercfg -h off
Press Enter.

This removes the hibernation file and saves space.

Step 9: Move Large Files to Another Drive

Videos, photos, and large documents don’t always need to sit on the C drive.

Use an external hard drive, SSD, or cloud storage.
Right-click a file > Cut > paste it into another drive or folder.

Pro tip: Keep personal files on D: or external drives, leaving C: mainly for system and apps.

Step 10: Delete Old System Restore Points

System restore points can consume several gigabytes over time.

Press Windows + S, type Create a restore point, and press Enter.
Select C: Drive and click Configure.
Click Delete under Disk Space Usage.

This clears old restore points but keeps your system functioning.

Step 11: Use OneDrive Files On-Demand

If you use OneDrive, enable Files On-Demand to keep files in the cloud and download only when needed.

Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
Go to Settings > Sync and backup.
Enable Files On-Demand.

This ensures large cloud files don’t take up local disk space.

Step 12: Analyze Disk Space with Third-Party Tools

Sometimes built-in tools don’t show the whole picture. Programs like WinDirStat or TreeSize Free give a visual map of what’s taking space, so you can target the big culprits.

Step 13: Move Apps and Games to Another Drive

If you have another partition or drive, move apps there.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Click on the app > Move.
Select another drive.

This works especially well for games from the Microsoft Store.

Step 14: Clear Browser Cache and Temporary Internet Files

Web browsers store cached files that add up over time.

In Microsoft Edge:
1. Click the three dots > Settings.
2. Go to Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, choose cached images, cookies, etc., and clear them.

Do this for Chrome, Firefox, or any browser you use.

Step 15: Upgrade Your Storage (If Needed)

If you’ve tried everything and still struggle, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Adding a larger SSD or HDD can give your PC breathing room and improve performance.

Pro Tips to Keep Your C Drive Clean

Regularly run Storage Sense.
Move files to cloud storage.
Avoid downloading duplicate files.
Keep large media files on external storage.

Conclusion

Cleaning the C drive in Windows 11 isn’t just about freeing space—it’s about keeping your PC healthy and fast. With tools like Storage Sense, Disk Cleanup, and manual methods like deleting temp files, you can reclaim gigabytes of space in minutes. And if space always feels tight? Offload files, uninstall apps, or consider upgrading your drive. A clean C drive means a smooth, stress-free Windows 11 experience.

FAQs

Q1: How often should I clean my C drive in Windows 11?
At least once a month is ideal, but heavy users may need to do it more frequently.

Q2: Is it safe to delete temporary files?
Yes, temporary files are safe to delete. They won’t affect system performance.

Q3: Can I move the Program Files folder to another drive?
It’s not recommended—you might break apps. Instead, install new programs on another drive.

Q4: What takes up the most space on the C drive?
Usually, system files, apps, temporary files, and large downloads.

Q5: Will cleaning my C drive make Windows 11 faster?
Yes, freeing up space helps your PC run smoother, especially if your disk was nearly full.