Efficiently Clearing Clutter- A Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Junk Files in Windows 11

How to Delete Junk Files in Windows 11

In today’s digital age, it’s not uncommon for your Windows 11 system to accumulate unnecessary files, known as junk files. These files can take up valuable disk space and potentially slow down your computer’s performance. Deleting these junk files can help improve your system’s efficiency and speed. In this article, we will guide you through the process of deleting junk files in Windows 11.

1. Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool

Windows 11 comes with a built-in Disk Cleanup tool that can help you identify and remove unnecessary files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Disk Cleanup” from the menu.
2. Choose the drive you want to clean up (usually your C: drive) and click “OK.”
3. The tool will scan your drive for unnecessary files. Once the scan is complete, select the file types you want to delete, such as temporary files, system files, and downloaded program files.
4. Click “OK” to remove the selected files.

2. Utilize the Storage Sense feature

Storage Sense is a feature in Windows 11 that automatically manages your storage by deleting unnecessary files. Here’s how to enable and use Storage Sense:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.
2. Scroll down and click on “Storage Sense.”
3. Toggle the “Turn on Storage Sense” switch to the ON position.
4. Under “Delete files that have been in the recycle bin for over 30 days,” you can set the duration for how long files should be kept in the recycle bin before they are deleted automatically.
5. Additionally, you can set Storage Sense to automatically delete files in the Downloads folder that are older than a specific number of days.

3. Manually delete unnecessary files

If you want to have more control over which files to delete, you can manually navigate through your system and delete unnecessary files. Here are some common types of files to delete:

1. Temporary files: These files are created by programs and can be found in the “Temp” folder. To delete them, go to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp and delete the contents of the folder.
2. Downloaded program files: These files are created when you download programs from the internet. To delete them, go to C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads and delete the files you no longer need.
3. Old system restore points: System restore points can take up a significant amount of disk space. To delete them, go to Settings > System > System protection and click on “Configure” to adjust the disk space allocated for system restore points.

4. Use third-party cleaning tools

If you’re looking for more advanced cleaning options, you can consider using third-party cleaning tools such as CCleaner or IObit Advanced SystemCare. These tools offer more comprehensive cleaning options and can help you remove stubborn junk files that the built-in tools may miss.

In conclusion, deleting junk files in Windows 11 can help improve your system’s performance and free up valuable disk space. By using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool, Storage Sense feature, manually deleting unnecessary files, or utilizing third-party cleaning tools, you can ensure that your Windows 11 system remains efficient and clutter-free.