Windows 7 - Disk Cleanup - Open and Use

   Information

Disk Cleanup finds and removes unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and can help your computer run faster. This will show you how to open and use Disk Cleanup in Windows 7.

   Note

The Disk Cleanup exe file is located at C:\Windows\System32\cleanmgr.exe.

   Warning

Checking the Hibernation File Cleaner option to be deleted will disable the Hibernate sleep mode.

1. Open the Start Menu, click on All Programs, Accessories folder, System Tools folder, and Disk Cleanup. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also type cleanmgr into the search box and press Enter to open Disk Cleanup.

2. Select the drive that you want to use Disk Cleanup on, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will not see this window unless you have more than one drive or partition on your computer.

3. You will now see this screenshot below for a moment. Afterwards, do step 4, 5, 6, or 7 for what you would like to delete using Disk Cleanup.

4. To Delete Unnecessary Non-System Files

A) Check the type of files box that you want to delete, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on the Delete Files button. (see screenshot below)

C) The files will be deleted and Disk Cleanup will close.

5. To Delete Unnecessary System Files

A) Click on the Clean up system files button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you just did a upgrade install or repair install recently, then you will also see the Files discarded by Windows upgrade option. This would be for the C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\$WINDOWS.~Q folders. If you just did a custom install recently, then you will also see the Previous Windows installations option. This would be for the C:\Windows.old folder.

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Repeat steps 2 to 4.

6. To Open Programs and Features
NOTE: This will open the Programs and Features window where you can uninstall programs. Normally you could also do this by opening Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

A) Click on the Clean up system files button, and repeat steps 2 and 3. (see screenshot below step 5A)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Click on the More Options tab. (see screenshot below)

D) Click on the Clean up button under the top Programs and Features section. (see screenshot above)

E) Click on OK. (see screenshot below step 6C)

F) In Programs and Features, select any program that you want uninstall.

7. To Delete All but the Most Recent System Restore Point
NOTE: This will also include deleting shadow copies (Previous Versions) that were created with a deleted restore point.

A) Click on the Clean up system files button, and repeat steps 2 and 3. (see screenshot below step 5A)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Click on the More Options tab. (see screenshot below step 6C)

D) Click on the Clean up button under the bottom System Restore and Shadow Copies section. (see screenshot below step 6C)

E) Click on the Delete button to confirm the deletion. (see screenshot below)

F) Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 6C)

G) Click on the Delete Files button. (see screenshot below)

H) The files will be deleted and Disk Cleanup will close.