howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-free-up-disk-space-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

In this guide

Open Settings and choose System
Click Storage
Open Cleanup recommendations
Remove temporary files
Switch on Storage Sense
Good to know
Video demo
Sources

Quick answer

Open Settings, choose System, then Storage. Click Cleanup recommendations to remove temporary files, old downloads and unused apps, and switch on Storage Sense so Windows keeps cleaning by itself.

5 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device: Windows
Shown on: Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC
App: Settings
Path: Settings › System › Storage
Real screenshots: 5 of 5 steps
Checked: October 2026
Sources: 2 official, linked below

Step by step

Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Open Settings and choose System
Press Windows + I to open Settings. System is near the top of the list on the left.
Watch these steps Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Click Storage
Scroll down the System page. Windows takes a moment to add up what is on the drive, then shows bars for Installed apps, Temporary files and more.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Open Cleanup recommendations
Tick the items you want to remove: Temporary files, the Recycle Bin, large or unused files and apps you have not opened. Check the Downloads box only if you no longer need what is in that folder. Then click Clean up. When there is nothing to suggest, the row says Storage optimized, no action required, as on our PC.
Done
Zoomed in on the setting. Tap to see the whole screenTap the picture to see it full size
Remove temporary files
Go back and click Temporary files. Windows lists what it can remove, such as Delivery Optimization Files and Thumbnails, with the size of each. Untick anything you want to keep and click Remove files.
Done
Tap the picture to see it full size
Switch on Storage Sense
Storage Sense empties the Recycle Bin and clears temporary files on a schedule. Switch it on with the switch at the right end of its row, then click the row to choose how often it runs. On our Cloud PC it was already on.
Done

Watch these steps

The video loads from YouTube when you press play.

Subscribe to Fix It Simply on YouTube

About this guide

When the C: drive is nearly full, Windows slows down and updates fail. The Storage page shows what is using the space and removes the safe-to-delete parts in a few clicks.