How to Automate Disk Cleanup with Storage Sense in Windows 11

Step by step

1. 30 sec

   Access the Storage settings menu

   Open the Settings application by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. Select the System tab in the left-hand sidebar, then click on the Storage menu option in the main panel.

   Note: Windows + I
2. 1 min

   Enable and configure Storage Sense

   Locate the Storage Sense toggle within the Storage Management section and slide it to the On position. Click the arrow icon next to the toggle to open the specific configuration sub-menu for advanced cleanup options.

   Note: Storage Sense is disabled by default until you manually toggle it on.
3. 1 min

   Define automatic cleanup frequency

   Under the Cleanup of temporary files section, ensure the toggle is set to On. Use the dropdown menu labeled Run Storage Sense to select your preferred frequency, such as During low free disk space, Every day, Every week, or Every month.

   Note: Selecting 'During low free disk space' is the recommended setting for most users.
4. 1 min

   Customize deletion parameters

   Review the options for deleting files in your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder. Choose a timeframe for the Recycle Bin, such as 1, 14, 30, or 60 days, and select whether to automatically remove files in your Downloads folder if they haven't been opened for a specific period.

   Note: Be cautious with the Downloads folder setting if you regularly store important files there.
5. 30 sec

   Run Storage Sense immediately

   If you need to reclaim space immediately, scroll to the bottom of the Storage Sense configuration page. Click the button labeled Run Storage Sense now to initiate an instant scan and cleanup cycle based on your current settings.

   Note: This process will not affect your personal documents or installed applications.