Manage drive space with Storage Sense

If Storage Sense is turned on with the default settings, it will run when your device is low on disk space and will clean up unnecessary temporary files. Content from the Recycle Bin will be deleted by default after some time, but items in your Downloads folder and OneDrive (or any other cloud provider) will not be touched unless you set up Storage Sense to do so.  

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage .

2. Under Storage Sense can automatically free up drive space for you by getting rid of items that you don't need, like temporary files and content in your recycle bin, turn On Storage Sense.

To tell Storage Sense how often to run and what to clean up, follow these instructions. 

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage .

2. Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now.

3. Choose your desired settings, including when to run Storage Sense, how often files are cleaned up, and more.

Choose when to run Storage Sense 

1. Make sure Storage Sense is turned On.

2. Under Run Storage Sense, select how frequently you want Storage Sense to run when you’re online and signed in. 

Choose your preferences for deleting temporary files

Under Temporary files , choose when files from your Recycle Bin or Downloads folder are deleted. 

• Items in the Recycle Bin will be deleted based on how long they have been in the Recycle Bin.

• Items in your Downloads folder will be deleted based on how long they have been unopened. The default is to never delete these files unless you specify.

• Keep Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using selected to clean up unneeded files associated with apps on your PC. 
   

Manage locally available cloud content

Cloud files can exist locally on the disk or be available online only. To choose the conditions for when inactive files are made online only, under Content will become online-only if not opened for more than: choose your preferred amount of time. Note that the default for OneDrive cloud files is to make files online-only if not opened for more than 30 days.

For more info about locally available content, see What do the OneDrive icons mean?

Is Storage Sense on by default?  

Storage Sense is off by default. If your PC runs into low disk space and you have not interacted with Storage Sense in the past, we may turn on Storage Sense to manage select temporary files, then notify you. If you prefer, you can choose to turn Storage Sense off right away or after the low disk state is resolved.

If you turn on Storage Sense, the default settings will run when your device is low on disk space. Note that the Downloads folder and cloud content will not be managed unless you specify. 

How do I delete Windows.old or Previous Windows Installation(s)?  

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage .

2. Under disk usage, select Temporary files , then ensure Previous Windows Installation(s) is checked, and select Remove files.

Can Storage Sense run if I’m not signed in? 

No. Storage Sense cannot run unless you’re signed and online for more than 10 minutes. 

Why am I receiving notifications to turn on Storage Sense or a notification for low storage?  

You’ll see these notifications when your drive is running out of free space. This can affect the performance of your device and make it difficult to receive system upgrades.