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# How to Delete Junk Files on Windows 11/10? \(8 Methods\)

Published/Updated on Thursday, October 1, 2026

![M3 Software author Wilsey Young](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/authors/22-Wilsey-Young.jpg)

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*English*

## How to delete junk files on Windows?

**Quick Answer:**

To clean junk files using built\-in Windows tools, try the following methods:

- Use the Disk Cleanup tool
- Check Storage settings
- Check the Downloads folder
- Remove installers
- Disable Hibernation Mode
- Remove Windows update files
- Disable system protection

While Windows' built\-in tools are safe for**basic system maintenance**, they force you to jump between multiple tools and manual folders to clear different types of bloat.

Besides, they only remove basic system caches, leaving behind heavy third\-party app junk \(Chrome, Steam\), software leftovers, and hidden large files.

For a**deep, one\-click cleanup**that safely targets all app caches and residual junk, use a specialized tool like**iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows**.

![how to delete junk files in Windows 11](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/summary-how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11.jpg)

The accumulated junk files in Windows can consume a large amount of disk space, but they often lurk in the shadows so that many Windows 11 users are hardly aware of their existence or are unable to identify them, causing your[C drive to keep filling up](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/howto/c-drive-keeps-filling-up.html).

**How to delete junk files in Windows 11**? How to delete system junk files in Windows 11? This article is centered on these questions and offers some methods to[free up disk space](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/howto/free-up-disk-space-windows-10.html)by removing junk or[unnecessary files](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/wiki/unnecessary-files-on-windows-10.html)in Windows 11/10.

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## How to delete junk files on Windows automatically?

[iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/diskgeeker/)is an all\-in\-one disk management tool that can help scan the system drive for junk files more deeply than any other tool in Windows 11. With the advanced algorithm and intuitive interface, you will be provided with scanning results that clearly display what takes up disk space on your Windows PC.

This tool can also auto\-select deletable files on your system drive and allow you to select unwanted personal files and large files manually, which can be permanently deleted in one click.

iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows is perfect for space analysis and system cleanup in Windows. Here's how to delete all junk files on Windows 11, 10, 8 & 7 via**iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows automatically**:

1. Download, install, and launch iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.
2. Click **Clean** in the **AI disk space optimization** module. ![Clean the C drive](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/clean-c-drive-1.jpg)
3. After the scan completes, see how many gigabytes of data you can free instantly, and add personal or large files you no longer need. ![Add large files on the C drive to be deleted](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/large-files-on-c-drive-1.jpg)
4. Click **Cleanup \> Clean** to delete all sorts of junk files on your system drive, including system cache, system components, logs & dumps, temporary files, and app cache. ![Clean junk files on Windows automatically](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/clean-autoselected-files-1.jpg)

This tool provides multiple cleaning functions; you can continue to perform space analysis on other partitions or search for large files on the C or D drive to quickly reclaim space.

You can share this wonderful disk management tool with your friends.

## How to delete junk files on Windows 11/10 with built\-in tools?

You can choose the methods below, built\-in or specialized, based on your needs. You can get the most out of them when used in combination.

### Method 1 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 with the Disk Cleanup tool

Disk Cleanup is a built\-in tool in Windows that can help delete a variety of junk files, like[temporary files](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/wiki/what-are-windows-temporary-files.html), previous Windows installations \([Windows.old](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/wiki/what-is-windows-old-folder.html)\),[thumbnail cache](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/wiki/windows-thumbnail-cache.html), and more. To carry out a Disk Cleanup, follow the steps below:

1. Double\-click "This PC" on the "Desktop" in Windows 11.
2. Right\-click on the system drive \(aka C: drive or Local Disk C:\) and choose "Properties."
3. Under the "General" tab, click the "Disk Cleanup" button. ![disk cleanup in Windows 11](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/disk-cleanup-windows-11.jpg)
4. Various files will be included in the box. Choose the files you want to remove, and click the "OK" button to delete them directly. ![disk cleanup in Windows 11](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/disk-cleanup-in-windows-11.jpg)

### Method 2 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 with Settings

Besides the Disk Cleanup tool, here's how to delete junk files in Windows 11 through the Settings:

1. Open "Settings" by pressing the "Windows\+I" keys or through the "Start" menu.
2. Select "System" from the left side panel.
3. Tap on "Storage" in the right pane. ![delete temporary files in Windows 11 Settings](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/delete-temp-files-windows-11-settings-1.jpg)
4. Click "Temporary files." You will be taken to the page where you can select the junk files. ![delete temporary files in Windows 11 Settings](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/delete-temp-files-windows-11-settings-2.jpg)
5. After files are selected, click the "Remove files" button to delete them right away. ![delete temporary files in Windows 11 Settings](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/delete-temp-files-windows-11-settings-3.jpg)

### Method 3 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 by checking the Downloads folder

Typically, everything you download from a web browser goes to the Downloads folder, which tends to grow large over time. Therefore, here's how to delete junk files in Windows 11 by removing unnecessary files in the Downloads folder:

1. Double\-click “This PC” on the “Desktop.” Alternatively, press the “Windows\+E” keys to open “File Explorer.”
2. Choose “Downloads” from the left side panel.
3. View the files inside and delete those you don't need. ![Downloads folder in Windows 11](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/downloads-folder-in-windows-11.jpg)

### Method 4 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 by removing installers

An installer, aka an installation package, often becomes useless after the software/application/program is successfully installed. Some of them may be in the Downloads folder. If not, follow the steps below to search for the installer file in Windows 11:

1. Double\-click “This PC” on the “Desktop.” Alternatively, press the “Windows\+E” keys to open “File Explorer” and choose “This PC” from the left side panel.
2. Tap on the search box on the right, input \*.exe, \*setup\*.exe, or \*installer\*.exe. ![search for installers in Windows 11 File Explorer](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/this-pc-file-explorer-windows-11.jpg)
3. After scanning is finished, identify the apps' installers and delete them if you want to.

### Method 5 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 by disabling hibernation mode

Hibernation mode in Windows allows you to shut down your Windows PC without losing your work. When you put your computer into hibernation, Windows saves all open files, apps, programs, and settings into a file called hiberfil.sys on HDD/SSD.

When you turn the Windows PC back on, the hiberfil.sys allows you to restore the state to exactly where you left off without needing to reopen apps, programs, or files; they will be just as they were before hibernation.

Few Windows users know that the hiberfil.sys file is likely to be large \(several GBs\), and it will not be automatically removed. Disabling hibernation mode can remove the old hiberfil.sys file.

Here's how to delete junk files in Windows 11 by disabling hibernation mode:

1. Open "Control Panel" on Windows 11.
2. Switch to the "Large icons" view method.
3. Tap on "Power Options." ![Control Panel in Windows 11](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/control-panel-windows-11.jpg)
4. Click "Choose what the power buttons do" from the left side panel. ![choose what the power buttons do in Windows 11 Control Panel](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/choose-what-the-power-buttons-do-windows-11.jpg)
5. Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable." ![change settings that are currently unavailable in Windows 11 Control Panel](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/change-settings-that-are-currently-unavailable-windows-11.jpg)
6. Uncheck "Hibernate" and tap on "Save changes." This disables hibernation mode and deletes the hiberfile.sys file. ![disable hibernation mode in Windows 11 Control Panel](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/disable-hibernation-mode-windows-11.jpg)

Alternatively, you can disable hibernation mode through the[Command Prompt](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/wiki/windows-command-prompt.html):

1. Press the "Windows\+S" keys to open the Windows search box.
2. Input "cmd" and choose "Run as administrator." ![run Command Prompt as an administrator](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/run-as-administrator-windows-11.jpg)
3. When the command window appears, input "powercfg /hibernate off" and hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard. ![disable hibernation mode in Windows 11 Command Prompt](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/disable-hibernation-in-cmd.jpg)

### Method 6 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 by removing Windows update files

Windows Update service stores many temporary update files, such as installation files and update history, to the SoftwareDistribution folder in the system drive, which can occupy a lot of space.

Deleting the files in the SoftwareDistribution folder can free up much disk space, but it won't damage your current updates or system functionality. However, it will cause Windows Update to recreate update files the next time it checks for updates, and the update check could take a little bit longer than before.

Here's[how to delete Windows update files](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/howto/how-to-delete-windows-update-files.html):

1. Open "Command Prompt" as an administrator through the Windows search box. ![run cmd as administrator](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/run-as-administrator-windows-11.jpg)
2. Input “net stop wuauserv”, “net stop bits” into the command window, and hit the "Enter" key after each to stop Windows update service. ![stop windows update service](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/stop-windows-update-service.jpg)
3. Double\-click "This PC" to open "File Explorer."
4. Navigate to C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution
5. Select all the files and subfolders, and then right\-click on them to delete. ![delete files in Windows 11 SoftwareDistribution folder](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/softwaredistribution-folder-windows-11.jpg)
6. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator again.
7. Input and execute “net start wuauserv” and “net start bits” commands one by one to restart the Windows update service.

### Method 7 \- Delete junk files in Windows 11 by disabling system protection

The System Restore feature in Windows relies on System Protection to create restore points that can help revert your system to a previous working state, which often comes into play when Windows acts up.

However, system restore points can pile up and take up much space. Disabling System Protection can help delete these restore points, but also means you won't be able to perform a system restore.

Here's how to delete junk files in Windows 11 by disabling system protection:

1. Open the Windows search box, type "Create a restore point", and click the result to open. ![search for create a restore point](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/system-restore-windows-11-1.jpg)
2. Select a hard drive from the box and tap on the "Configure" button.
3. Choose "Turn off system protection." ![turn off system protection Windows 11](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/images/en-howto/how-to-delete-junk-files-in-windows-11/configure-system-restore-windows-11.jpg)
4. Click "Apply" and "OK" to save changes.

What do you make of this article? Please share your opinions.

## FAQs about how to delete junk files in Windows 11

AJunk files are useless files that pile up over time on your Windows PC. They include temporary files, system files, cache, logs, and more. They take up disk space and can slow down your system performance. Deleting junk files regularly can help free up disk space, improve system performance, and prevent various system glitches.

ATo quickly delete junk files in Windows 11, use the Disk Cleanup tool: 1. Open File Explorer and right\-click on the system or other drives to choose Properties. 2. Tap on the Disk Cleanup button. 3. Choose the files you want to remove. 4. Click the OK button to delete them. Alternatively, go to Settings \> System \> Storage \> Temporary Files, and then delete the files by tapping on Remove files button.

AHere are the common types of junk files you can delete: Temporary files, Recycle Bin files, thumbnails, old Windows update files, files in the Downloads folder,, and more.

Wilsey is a columnist who has learned and accumulated professional knowledge in Windows, BitLocker encryption, data recovery, etc. at M3 Software. His solid knowledge and abundant expertise in data recovery, data backup, hard drives, and more enable him to produce informative and easy\-to\-read articles.