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I recently noticed that my System disk was full of temporary files.

The easiest way to clean up temporary (and other non-essential files) is to use the utility Disk Clean-Up for Win10 which comes with Windows 10.

  1. To start the utility open start menu and search for “Disk”. The Disk Clean-up utility should be one of the top results.

    Searching for the utility

    Searching for the utility

  2. A drive selection window will pop up. Select the appropriate drive, e.g. C:.

    Drive selection window

    Drive selection window

  3. Wait while the system works to identify which files may be removed.
    Note: This may take quite some time depending on your hardware and software configuration.

    System identifying possible files to remove

    System identifying possible files to remove

  4. The full utility windows shows up, here you may select which items you wish to clean / remove.

    The Disk Clean-up utility

    The Disk Clean-up utility

    All the available items which may be removed

    All the available items which may be removed

  5. If you wish to remove system files1 such as Windows upgrade log files or Temporary Windows installation files you need to select the button marked Clean up system files.

    Press the button to access more options

    Press the button to access more options

  6. The drive selection window will appear again.

    Drive selection window, a second time

    Drive selection window, a second time

  7. The system will have to re-identify which files may be removed.

    System identifying possible files to remove

    System identifying possible files to remove

  8. Once all removable files have been identified, the utility window will then re-appear.

    The Disk Clean-up utility

    The Disk Clean-up utility

    All the available items which may be removed, including system files

    All the available items which may be removed, including system files

  9. To initiate clean-up, press the button OK

  10. A verification will pop-up if you are sure about your selection of file to remove. If you are, select Delete Files.

    Verification to delete selected files

    Verification to delete selected files

  11. The system will then start to clean up files.
    Note: This may take quite some time depending on your hardware and software configuration.

    The Disk Clean-up utility removing files

    The Disk Clean-up utility removing files

  12. The progression dialog will disappear when the clean-up is complete.


  1. Requires administrator privileges. [return]
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