Cleanup Recommendations is a built-in Windows 11 feature that helps you identify files and applications that may be taking up unnecessary storage space. It provides suggestions for freeing up disk space by reviewing temporary files, large or unused files, files synchronized with the cloud, and applications you may no longer need.
If your computer’s system drive is running low on storage, Cleanup Recommendations can help you find potential cleanup opportunities without manually searching through every folder. This is particularly useful on laptops and desktops with smaller SSDs, where Windows updates, applications, downloads, and personal files can gradually consume available space.
Windows 11 allows you to review these recommendations before deleting anything. You can choose which categories to clean and leave important files untouched. However, some cleanup actions, such as permanently removing files from the Recycle Bin, cannot easily be reversed.
In this guide, you will learn how to open Cleanup Recommendations, remove unnecessary files, identify large files, uninstall unused applications, and troubleshoot common storage problems in Windows 11.
Method 1: Open Cleanup Recommendations in Windows 11
The easiest way to access Cleanup Recommendations is through the Settings app.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System from the left sidebar.
- Click Storage.
- Wait for Windows to calculate the storage usage.
- Select Cleanup recommendations.
- Review the cleanup categories displayed on the screen.
Depending on your Windows 11 version and the files available on your computer, you may see categories such as Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud, and Unused apps.
Each category provides information about potential storage savings. The available recommendations vary depending on your system, so you may not see every category described in this guide.
Review the suggested files before selecting anything for removal. Windows identifies potential cleanup opportunities, but you should still confirm that you no longer need the files.
If Cleanup Recommendations is missing, return to the Storage page and check whether Windows has finished calculating storage usage. You can also check for available Windows updates if the option remains unavailable.
Method 2: Remove Temporary Files Using Cleanup Recommendations
Temporary files can accumulate while Windows installs updates, runs applications, and performs routine system tasks. Removing eligible temporary files can free up storage without requiring you to uninstall applications.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Storage.
- Select Cleanup recommendations.
- Open the Temporary files category, if displayed.
- Review the file categories and their estimated sizes.
- Select the categories you want to remove.
- Click the available cleanup or removal button.
- Confirm the action if prompted.
Windows may identify temporary internet files, thumbnails, temporary system files, and other eligible cleanup categories.
Be careful when selecting Downloads or Previous Windows installation(s) if either category appears. Downloads may contain personal documents and installers, while previous installation files may be required to return to an earlier Windows version.
Removing previous Windows installation files can eliminate the built-in option to go back to the previous version after an upgrade.
The cleanup process may take several minutes, depending on the amount of data involved. Once it finishes, return to the Storage page to check the available space.
Method 3: Find and Remove Large or Unused Files
Large files can occupy significant storage space, particularly when you keep old videos, downloaded archives, software installers, or duplicate copies of documents.
Cleanup Recommendations may identify large or unused files that you can review.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Select System > Storage.
- Click Cleanup recommendations.
- Open the Large or unused files category, if available.
- Review the listed files and their sizes.
- Open a file’s location if you need to inspect it.
- Select only the files you no longer need.
- Use the available cleanup action to remove the selected files.
Before deleting a large file, confirm what it contains and whether another application depends on it.
For example, old video recordings may be safe to move to an external drive, while application data, project files, and system files may be important even if they are large.
If you want to keep a file but free up local space, consider moving it to another drive or a suitable cloud storage service. Verify that the copy is available and complete before removing the original.
Do not delete unfamiliar files simply because Windows lists them as large or unused. Review their locations and purposes before taking action.
Method 4: Review Files Synced to the Cloud
If you use a cloud storage service that integrates with File Explorer, some files may be available online without requiring their full contents to remain stored locally.
Cleanup Recommendations may display a category for files synchronized with the cloud when supported by your Windows configuration.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Go to System > Storage.
- Select Cleanup recommendations.
- Look for the cloud-synchronized files category, if available.
- Review the listed files and their storage information.
- Confirm that the files are safely stored in the cloud before removing local copies.
Cloud storage behavior depends on the service and its settings. For example, files configured as online-only may not occupy the same amount of local disk space as files downloaded for offline use.
Do not assume that deleting a file from a synchronized folder merely removes its local copy. Depending on the service and action used, deleting a synchronized file may also remove it from the cloud and other connected devices.
If your goal is to save local storage while keeping a file accessible, use the cloud service’s supported option for freeing up local space or making the file online-only.
Check that the file has finished syncing before making changes.
Method 5: Uninstall Unused Applications
Installed applications can consume a large amount of storage, particularly games, editing software, development tools, and other programs with substantial supporting files.
Cleanup Recommendations may suggest applications that you rarely use or that occupy significant storage space.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Storage.
- Select Cleanup recommendations.
- Open the Unused apps category, if available.
- Review the suggested applications.
- Select an application you no longer need.
- Choose the available uninstall option.
- Follow the application’s uninstall instructions.
Before uninstalling a program, consider whether you need its saved projects, configuration files, plugins, or other associated data.
Some applications may be required for work, hardware management, or specific devices even if you rarely open them. Do not remove software simply because it appears unused.
If an application is not listed under Cleanup Recommendations, you can review installed programs through Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
After uninstalling applications, check the Storage page again to see how much space has been recovered.
Method 6: Empty the Recycle Bin Safely
Files in the Recycle Bin continue to occupy storage until they are permanently deleted. Windows may identify Recycle Bin contents as a cleanup opportunity.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
- Look for the Temporary files or Recycle Bin category, depending on your Windows version.
- Review the estimated space occupied.
- Open the Recycle Bin if you need to inspect its contents.
- Restore any files you want to keep.
- Empty the Recycle Bin or use the appropriate cleanup option.
Once the Recycle Bin is emptied, its files are no longer available through the normal restoration process.
If you are unsure whether you may need a deleted file, leave it in the Recycle Bin until you have checked it.
You can also configure Storage Sense to remove eligible Recycle Bin files automatically after a specified period. However, automatic deletion should be configured carefully to avoid losing files you intended to recover.
Method 7: Check Available Storage After Cleanup
After removing files or applications, check whether the cleanup process freed enough space.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I.
- Select System.
- Open Storage.
- Wait for Windows to update the storage information.
- Review the total space used and available on the system drive.
- Reopen Cleanup Recommendations if you want to review additional suggestions.
The amount of space recovered depends on the files removed. If only a small amount of temporary data was available, you may see little improvement.
If the drive remains nearly full, review the categories on the main Storage page. Installed applications, videos, downloads, and other personal files may account for most of the storage usage.
You can move personal files to another drive after creating a backup, uninstall applications you no longer need, or consider a larger storage drive if the computer regularly runs out of space.
Avoid manually deleting unfamiliar folders inside Windows or Program Files. Removing required files can damage applications or prevent Windows from working correctly.
Method 8: Troubleshoot Cleanup Recommendations
If Cleanup Recommendations does not appear or fails to free up space, try these checks.
Wait for storage analysis to finish. Windows may need time to calculate file sizes and generate recommendations, especially on a drive containing many files.
Restart the computer. A restart can resolve temporary problems with Settings or storage reporting.
Check available cleanup categories. Recommendations depend on the files and applications on your computer. Some categories may not appear if there is nothing eligible to clean.
Run Storage Sense. Open Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense and use the available manual cleanup option if appropriate.
Check Windows updates. Install applicable updates if Settings features are missing or behaving unexpectedly.
Review storage usage manually. The main Storage page can help you identify whether applications, temporary files, or personal data are consuming the most space.
Protect important files. Before deleting anything, review its contents and keep a backup of important documents, photographs, and work files.
If Windows reports that disk space is critically low, prioritize removing files you can confidently identify, such as obsolete installers or backed-up personal files, rather than deleting unfamiliar system folders.
Conclusion
Cleanup Recommendations is a useful Windows 11 feature for identifying files and applications that may be consuming unnecessary storage space. It provides a convenient way to review temporary files, large or unused files, cloud-synchronized content, and applications that you may no longer need.
To access it, open Settings, navigate to System > Storage, and select Cleanup recommendations. Review each category carefully, select the items you no longer need, and confirm the cleanup action.
For additional storage savings, consider uninstalling unused applications, moving large personal files to another drive, and configuring Storage Sense to perform routine cleanup automatically.
Remember that not every recommended item is safe to delete without review. Be especially careful with the Downloads folder, previous Windows installation files, and cloud-synchronized files. Confirm that important data is backed up before permanently removing anything.
By reviewing Cleanup Recommendations periodically, you can better manage your storage space and reduce the chance of running out of disk space during updates or while installing applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Cleanup Recommendations in Windows 11?
Open Settings, select System, click Storage, and then select Cleanup recommendations. The available categories depend on your Windows version and the files on your computer.
2. Does Cleanup Recommendations delete files automatically?
Cleanup Recommendations generally allows you to review suggested items and choose what to remove. Automatic cleanup is handled separately through features such as Storage Sense.
3. Is it safe to delete everything listed in Cleanup Recommendations?
Not necessarily. Review the contents before deleting files, particularly items in Downloads, previous Windows installations, and synchronized cloud folders. Some actions can permanently remove data.
4. Why is Cleanup Recommendations not freeing much space?
Your computer may have few eligible temporary files or unnecessary applications. Review the main Storage page to identify which categories are using the most disk space.
Quick Summary
- Open Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
- Review temporary files, large files, cloud content, and unused applications.
- Select only items you no longer need and confirm their removal.
- Check available storage afterward and use Storage Sense for routine cleanup.
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