In the digital age, our computers have become indispensable tools for work, entertainment, and communication. However, with the increasing use of technology comes the inevitable accumulation of junk files that can clutter our systems and slow down performance. One of the most common operating systems, Windows, is not immune to this issue. Fortunately, there are effective ways to declutter and optimize your Windows computer by removing these unnecessary files.

In this article, we will explore practical and user-friendly methods to efficiently remove junk files from your Windows system, ensuring that your computer runs smoothly and efficiently.
How to Remove Junk Files From Windows
Junk Files are the files that you don’t need anymore in your system but it stays there and makes your system difficult to manage. You can also run into insufficient storage in your PC and may get some performance issues.
To do that, you should clean your PC not physically but internally, and delete the unused files or the files that have been stacked up in your Recycle Bin. Here, we’ll provide you with the best tips on how you can remove Junk Files from your Windows PC.
Empty the Recycle Bin to free space
- Open the Recycle Bin from your desktop. If you don’t have one available on your desktop, use the help of the search bar, type Recycle Bin, and click on the first option.
- In the Recycle Bin, just go through your files. If you want any files that you want to restore, right-click on it and select Restore.
- Now, after that, you have confirmed, that to delete all, just right-click on the folder and select the option “Empty Recycle Bin.”
- You can also just head back to your desktop, right-click on the Recycle Bin Folder, and select Empty Recycle Bin.
Clean up the temporary files to remove junk
- Firstly, press Win + R to open Run.
- Next, type %temp% and then Click OK.
- Here, in the temporary folder, press Ctrl + A to select all the files and press the Del key to delete the files.
- Click Skip on any files that appear to be in use.
However, Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in feature to clean up the junk files from your PC. To set up Storage Sense, head to Settings > System > Storage and toggle the button to enable Storage Sense. Lastly, click on Configure Storage Sense or Run it now.
Use the Disk Clean-up Tool to remove junk files
- From the search bar, type Disk Cleanup and hit enter.
- Now, choose the drive you want to clean and click OK.
- Here, you’ll see how much space you can free up by deleting different junk files with the tool that will populate the screen.
- Now, check the box to select the file that you want to clean up. To remove the files, click View Files.
- Click on the Clean Up System files to view the Temporary Windows Installation Files and device driver packages.
- Lastly, click on OK to remove the junk files and select the Delete Files option to confirm it.
Use the Command Prompt
To use the Disk Cleanup Tool using the Command Prompt, you can use one of the given commands below:
To skip disk selection and view the category selection menu:
Cleanmgr/sagest
To automate the disk cleaning process without choosing any category:
Cleanmgr/ sagerun
To quickly clean your disk space:
Cleanmgr/lowdisk
To view temp files:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe %temp%\
To delete temp files:
del %temp%\*.*/s/q
Clean Up Restore Points
- Click on the Cleanup system files button in the Disk Clean Utility.
- Now, select a drive and click OK to scan.
- Next, open up the More Options tab.
- Click on the Clean-up button under the System Restore and Shadow Copies.
- To confirm the action, select Delete.
These are the steps through which you can remove the Junk Files from your Windows.
Also read: Google Chrome Battery Drain Issue on Android 14 Fix
Conclusion
As we navigate the vast digital landscape, maintaining the health and performance of our Windows computers is paramount. The accumulation of junk files can impede the speed and efficiency of our systems, but armed with the knowledge of effective clean-up methods, users can reclaim valuable disk space and optimize their computer’s performance. By incorporating regular maintenance into your computer routine, you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable digital experience, free from the unnecessary baggage of junk files.