How to use the Windows 10 Disk Cleanup

As more advanced users should know, Windows 10 has a tool that allows you to delete useless files and folders from your computer. Disk Cleanup removes certain files and folders, freeing up valuable hard drive space and improving system performance.

How to use Windows 10 Disk Cleanup step by step

Instead of trying to manually delete unnecessary files from your computer to free up space on your hard drive, you can use the Windows 10 Disk Cleanup tool to automate the process.

However, even in Windows 10, Disk Cleanup is still a tool that has to be run manually. What you probably don't know is that you can configure the tool so that it runs automatically to remove certain files from your computer.

In this Windows 10 tutorial we will guide you through the process of configuring the Disk Cleanup tool and to use the Task Scheduler to delete unnecessary files from your computer, gaining space for new content.

1. Use Windows Key + X to open the Start button submenu and select Command Prompt (Administrator).

1. Type the following command and press Enter:

cleanmgr / sageset: 88

In this command we are using the / sageset: n switch to open the Disk Cleanup Configuration and, at the same time, create a registry key that will store the configuration you choose. The number n, which is also stored in the registry, indicates the settings you want to use with the tool.

This number can be anything from 0 to 65535, and it's basically a file name that points to all the specific configuration values ​​you want to use. In this way, different numbers can be set to run the tool with different values ​​at different times.

Once Disk Cleanup Configuration opens, check the items you want the tool to automatically remove from the system from the extensive list. Some of the files you can clean include:

• Cleaning Windows Updates Downloaded Program Files Internet Temporary Files Temporary Files Files used to report bugs and check solutions Thumbnails and many more…

1. Click the OK button to save and store the settings in the registry.

1. Open Start, search for Task Scheduler and click on the result to open the utility.

You can also press Windows Key + R to open the Run box, and there, by typing the taskschd.msc command and clicking OK you will access the Task Scheduler.

1. Click on the Task Scheduler Library, click on New Folder and enter the folder name.

1. Right-click on the folder you just created and click Create Basic Task.

1. Name the task, add a description you want and click Next.

1. Select when you want the task to run and click Next. These options are so flexible that different times can be set, in addition to specific events to trigger the task. For the purpose of this guide, we will have to choose Monthly.

1. Select the date and time, and click Next.

1. In Action, select Start A Program and click Next.

1. Type the path to open the Disk Cleanup tool: C: \ Windows \ system32 \ cleanmgr.exe and include the / sagerun: 88 argument. (Remember to change the number 88 to the number you chose in step 2 to use the settings you have configured.)

You can also create a shortcut with the path “C: \ Windows \ system32 \ cleanmgr.exe / sagerun: 88” to start Windows Disk Cleanup manually. Just remember to run it as administrator.

1. Click on Next.

1. On the Summary page, click Finish to complete the task.

After completing the task, the Disk Cleanup will execute at the specified time the removal of all unnecessary files from your computer. If for whatever reason, you need to change the current task settings, open Task Scheduler, open the folder you created, double-click the task, and update the settings.

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How to run Disk Cleanup off-schedule

You can use the following steps in case you want to run Disk Cleanup before the programming you have done:

1. Use Windows Key + X to open the Start button submenu and select Command Prompt (Administrator).

1. Type the following command and press Enter:

C: \ Windows \ system32 \ cleanmgr.exe / sagerun: 88

Remember to change 88 to the number you have chosen. After executing the command, the Disk Cleanup tool will open and run immediately, deleting all the files that have been configured in the tool.

If you want to modify the items that Disk Cleanup will automatically remove, then follow these steps:

1. Use Windows Key + X to open the Start button submenu and select Command Prompt (Administrator).

1. Type the following command and press Enter:

cleanmgr / sageset: 88

Remember 88 to the number you have chosen to store the configuration.

1. As you have executed the previous command, you will notice that the Disk Cleanup tool opens with all the settings that you have previously configured. Now just modify the checklist of new items and delete the ones you don't want.

1. Click OK to complete the task.

Disk Cleanup is a great tool that is still included in Windows 10, and can help you reclaim hard drive space. In the latest version of the operating system, it's also a great way for Windows Insider Program users to periodically check and remove previous installations of the operating system, which can take up to several gigabytes after a new build of Windows 10. But keep in mind Note that removing the pre-installation files will prevent you from reverting to the previous version of the operating system.

As always, we recommend reading our tutorials for Windows and computing.