If your Windows PC has started to feel sluggish, unresponsive, or takes longer than usual to boot up—don’t worry. You don’t need to buy a new system. A little spring cleaning can work wonders! In this article, we’ll guide you through a complete Windows cleanup process that removes unnecessary files, boosts performance, and keeps your computer running smoothly.
Let’s take it one step at a time, and by the end, your system will feel brand new.
🧹 Step 1: Delete the Windows.old or Windows10Upgrade Folder
When you upgrade Windows, the old version is stored in a folder called Windows.old or Windows10Upgrade. This can take up tens of gigabytes of storage!
Here’s how to remove it:
- Open This PC.
- Navigate to your C Drive.
- Look for folders named:
Windows.oldWindows10Upgrade
- If they exist, select them.
- Hold Shift + Delete on your keyboard.
- Click Yes when prompted for permanent deletion.
👉 If you don’t see these folders, you can skip this step.
📂 Step 2: Clean the SoftwareDistribution Folder
This folder stores Windows Update data. Over time, old updates clutter this folder and may slow down your PC.
Steps:
- Open This PC → C Drive → Windows folder.
- Scroll down to find the SoftwareDistribution folder.
- Open it, select all files (Ctrl + A).
- Press Shift + Delete to permanently remove everything inside.
This helps clear out old update data that is no longer useful.
⚡ Step 3: Clear the %Temp% Folder
Temporary files can accumulate quickly, especially after using heavy software or browsers.
Clean it up:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
%temp%and press Enter. - A folder will open with temporary files.
- Press Ctrl + A to select all files.
- Press Shift + Delete to permanently remove them.
- Skip files that refuse to delete—they may be in use.
⏱️ Tip: Do this once a week to keep your system tidy.
🗑️ Step 4: Clear the temp Folder from Run
We’re not done with temporary files yet—Windows has another hidden temp location.
Here’s how to clear it:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type
tempand press Enter. - Select all files (Ctrl + A).
- Press Shift + Delete to remove them.
- Skip any files that don’t delete.
🗃️ Step 5: Delete Prefetch Files
Prefetch files are used to speed up app loading but over time, they can become bloated.
Clear them:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type
prefetchand press Enter. - Click Continue if prompted for permission.
- Select all files and press Shift + Delete.
Don’t worry—Windows will regenerate these files as needed.
💾 Step 6: Use Disk Cleanup Tool (cleanmgr)
Now let’s use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove even more junk.
To do this:
- Press Windows + R → Type
cleanmgr→ Press Enter. - Select C Drive and click OK.
- In the popup, select all checkboxes.
- Click Clean up system files.
- Again, select C Drive, wait for the scan.
- Check all items and click OK → Confirm with Delete Files.
Give it a few minutes to clean system junk like old Windows Update files, Recycle Bin data, and error reports.
🧰 Step 7: Clean File Explorer History
If your File Explorer is slow or unresponsive, try clearing its history.
Here’s how:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click the three-dot menu on the top right → Select Options.
- In the General tab, click Clear under “Clear File Explorer History.”
- Click Apply → OK.
Also, in the View tab, check Show hidden files, folders, and drives to manage hidden junk files if needed.
🌐 Step 8: Speed Up Google Chrome
Chrome is fast, but it can slow down if cache, cookies, and extensions pile up.
Clear browsing data:
- Open Chrome.
- Click the three dots → Go to Settings → Privacy and Security.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Set time range to All time.
- Check:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
- Click Clear data.
Adjust Chrome performance:
- In Settings, go to System.
- Disable:
- “Continue running background apps when Chrome is closed”
- “Use hardware acceleration when available”
- Click Relaunch to restart Chrome.
Manage Extensions:
- Go to chrome://extensions/.
- Turn off or remove unnecessary extensions.
Update Chrome:
- Go to chrome://settings/help to check for updates.
🧩 Step 9: Defragment and Optimize Drives (Especially for HDD Users)
If you’re using a hard disk drive (HDD), this step can drastically improve performance.
To defragment:
- Search for Defragment and Optimize Drives in Start Menu.
- Open the tool.
- Select each drive one by one (C, D, E, etc.).
- Click Analyze, then Optimize.
- Wait for the process to complete (can take 10-20 mins per drive).
💡 SSD users can still run this safely as Windows treats SSDs differently.
🛡️ Step 10: Full Virus Scan with Windows Security
A slow PC could also mean malware or bloatware. A full scan is essential.
Use Windows Security:
- Go to Start → Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security.
- Click Virus & threat protection.
- Choose Scan options.
- Select Full Scan and click Scan now.
This could take up to 1–2 hours, depending on your data. But it’s worth it!
🔐 Note: You don’t need to buy extra antivirus software. Microsoft Defender is built-in and works great.
✅ Final Thoughts: Maintain Regular Cleanups
So far, we’ve:
- Deleted temporary and old update files.
- Cleaned cache and browser junk.
- Optimized storage and scanned for malware.
💡 You should repeat these cleanups at least once a week to maintain system health.
📝 FAQs
Q: Will deleting Windows.old affect my system?
A: No. It only deletes the older OS version used for rollback. Once you’re confident in the new version, it’s safe to remove.
Q: Is Disk Cleanup safe?
A: Yes, especially when you choose recommended options like Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, etc.
Q: Do I need third-party cleaners like CCleaner?
A: Not really. All cleanup steps in this guide use built-in Windows tools.
🔗 Useful Links
🔖 Tags:
windows cleanup, windows performance boost, delete windows.old, cleanmgr, speed up pc, temp files, prefetch, defragmentation, chrome settings, windows optimization, disk cleanup, windows tips
🔥 Hashtags:
#WindowsTips #PCOptimization #SpeedUpWindows #CleanWindows #DiskCleanup #ChromeFix #WindowsSecurity #FreeUpSpace
Disclaimer:
This guide is based on standard Windows 10 and 11 settings. Make sure you don’t delete personal files or anything you’re unsure about. Always back up important data before making system-level changes.
Let us know in the comments below how much space you recovered or how much faster your PC feels after applying these tips. Happy computing!
