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How to Auto-Clean Storage with Windows Storage Sense

Tap a step to see it in order.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Storage

    Open the Settings app and navigate to System, then Storage.

  2. Turn on the Storage Sense switch

    Under Storage management, switch Storage Sense on.

  3. Set up automatic cleanup rules

    Choose how often temporary files are cleared and when old items in the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder should be deleted automatically.

  4. Run it immediately on demand

    Don't want to wait for the schedule? Click the manual run-now button (labeled Clean now or Run Storage Sense now depending on your Windows version) to run a cleanup right away.

  5. Why it's worth doing

    Instead of manually running Disk Cleanup every time storage runs low, setting this up once means unnecessary temp files get cleared on a regular schedule automatically.

Tired of Manually Cleaning Up Storage?

Rather than running a manual cleanup every time you get a low-storage warning, Storage Sense clears out unneeded temp files on a recurring schedule once it is set up.

Pair It with Disk Cleanup for a Deeper Clean

Storage Sense handles routine, automatic upkeep, while a manual Disk Cleanup pass covers larger one-off cleanups β€” used together, they cover both everyday and occasional maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could it accidentally delete something important?

Storage Sense only targets temporary files, the Recycle Bin, and old items in the Downloads folder β€” personal files like documents and photos are never touched.

Does it delete files in the Downloads folder automatically?

Yes, if you choose to β€” in settings you can set files in Downloads to be deleted automatically once they've sat there longer than a chosen period, such as 30 days.