Remove junk files from your computer

You can delete a file type by selecting it under Files. You can also get a description of it by selecting it under the Files menu. You can clean your computer by tapping the Clean button on the bottom left. To view junk files, tap See junk files.

Log files and temporary app files can be cleared by selecting them. To clear the screen, tap Clear. Tap Clear when prompted for a confirmation. Watch how to delete junk files windows 10 diy Video. On slower drives such as traditional hard disks, junk files can slow operating to a crawl. So, cleaning them frequently can help improve performance. Windows 10 features built-in tools to remove most junk files, and if something remains, you can clean up manually.

We'll show you how. Instead, it can make your system difficult to manage. On computers with puny SSD drives, you may run into insufficient storage and performance issues. Removing trash can help you keep your files and folder organized, save a ton of precious storage space, and improve system performance as your computer no longer has to churn through files that do nothing for you.

All kinds of sources can create a junk file on your PC, from the leftover of uninstalled programs to that cute wallpaper you downloaded ages ago but ultimately got bored with. Here are a few common types of junk files. Thumbnails and thumbnail photos can be considered junk files.

However, you don't need to clean them unless necessary. If cleaned, your system will have to generate thumbnails again, which can slow things down.

System Restore in Windows systems allows you to undo system changes by reverting your computer to a previous restore point. It is useful in case you delete a critical system file and run into issues. Follow our guide to create a restore point in Windows Click Temporary Files. Click to check the boxes next to the files you want to delete like "Recycle Bin" and "Downloads". Click Remove files. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.

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Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Unused programs Programs that you don't use not only consume storage space, they can also slow down your system's performance, should they be running in the background. Large files The bigger the file, the more space it takes up on your hard drive.

Large files that you no longer need or have a use for should be deleted to free up space. Duplicate files Downloads of the same file or multiple versions of a single document can also quickly eat up storage space on your hard drive. In most cases, junk files can be safely, quickly, and efficiently removed from your system.

The options for deleting such files are nearly as varied as the types of junk themselves. Before you start cleaning up your hard drive, it's a good idea to create a backup.

In this way, it's possible to recover any data that you delete by accident, just in case. Deleting junk files manually is possible, but requires a considerable amount of time since you'll need to sort through all of your system's folders. There's also a strong likelihood that you won't be able to locate all of the files on your own as well.

Luckily, default tools included with Windows as well as third-party solutions make it possible to easily tidy up your PC:. Most PCs and laptops come with a range of pre-installed software that their users simply never use bloatware. Over time, you might also install programs needed for a specific task, but then cease using them thereafter and forget to uninstall them.

Whatever the reason, unused programs consume valuable storage space on your system, and if running in the background, can noticeably slow it down. In most cases, the solution to this problem is relatively easy: A list of all programs installed on your system is visible under Settings or through the Control Panel. Here, it's possible to quickly identify and uninstall unused programs.

Temporary files are created by programs or your operating system to make sure that you don't lose any unsaved progress in the event that your system crashes. The type you're most likely familiar with is an automatic save in Microsoft Word, which occurs until you save the document yourself and create a Word file.

Temporary files are easily recognizable via their. Most temporary files are automatically deleted once they're no longer needed i. Tools like Disk Cleanup are able to automatically get rid of most of these. If you feel that your Internet browser is getting slower, a mass of junk files could be the problem. Cookies, cached data, as well as URL and download records can paralyze even the best browsers, with the only solution being a thorough clearing of browser files.