Storage Sense can automatically remove temporary files and manage selected local content on your Windows system drive.
Enable Storage Sense
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select System > Storage.
- Turn on Storage Sense.
- Select Storage Sense to configure its settings.
Choose the cleanup schedule
Under Run Storage Sense, choose how frequently it should run.
Review the Recycle Bin retention period. Files removed from the Recycle Bin are no longer available through ordinary Recycle Bin recovery.
Leave automatic Downloads cleanup disabled unless you deliberately want older downloads removed.
Manage cloud files
Where available, configure when unused cloud files become online-only. This removes their local copies without permanently deleting the cloud files.
Files marked Always keep on this device are excluded. Opening online-only files again requires network connectivity.
Check the result
Return to System > Storage and compare the available space.
For manual cleanup, open Cleanup recommendations, review the suggested items, and remove only what you no longer need.
Storage Sense applies to the system drive. Use Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives to inspect other drives.
