How to Cleanup Hard Drive Windows 10 [6 Ways]

Why need to clean up hard drive Windows 10?

The hard drive is the storage device we use to store various files on the computer. People would like to cleanup hard drive Windows 10 for the following reasons:

★ Free up space: Over time, prolonged computer usage accumulates a lot of files, resulting in a congested disk. These files, in their entirety, occupy a substantial portion of the hard drive's capacity, impeding the accommodation of fresh data. Embracing a systematic disk cleaning regimen effectively liberates additional storage space, ensuring a seamless continuum of usability.

★ Speed up performance: The predicament of a brimming C drive often translates into prolonged boot times and sluggish application launches. By undertaking a C drive cleanup in the Windows 10 environment, an optimized operational landscape emerges. This facilitates an environment conducive to efficient system functionality, thereby significantly amplifying overall operational speed.

6 ways to cleanup hard drive Windows 10

There are 6 ways for Windows users to clean disk Windows 10 or other Windows systems. They all have their own merits and demerits. Now, I’ll show you how to employ these 6 ways in hard drive cleanup.

Way 1. Run Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup, a tool native to Windows operating systems, is designed to swiftly cleanse your computer's various disk drives such as C, D, E, F, and more. When aiming to effectively clear your hard drive on Windows 10, enlisting the aid of this program proves to be a prudent choice.

Step 1. Input "disk cleanup" into the designated search box, then press the "Enter" key.

Step 2. Within the Disk Cleanup interface, choose the disk you wish to clean (here is C drive), and press "OK".

Step 3. Following this step, a computation will be performed to determine the potential space reclamation on the C drive.

Step 4. Subsequently, identify and select the files you no longer require, proceeding by clicking "OK" to affirm the intended action.

Way 2. Clean temporary files

Temporary files often go unnoticed as we navigate through various programs and applications. These files, however, can be promptly eradicated from the hard drive via the "Storage" option, contributing to its cleanup hard drive Windows 10.

Step 1. Open the start menu, then proceed to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage".

Step 2. Opt for the "Temporary files" selection.

Step 3. A comprehensive analysis of all files will ensue, culminating in their compilation within a new window, accompanied by their respective quantities.

Step 4. Finalize the process by selecting "Remove files," which will trigger the removal of these temporary files.

Way 3. Uninstall some programs

In the process of using the computer, we will download many applications, some of which will not be used after one or two uses, but we forget to uninstall, such programs will always stay on the computer and keep occupying your disk space.

Step 1. Click on the Start button. Then, navigate through Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.

Step 2. A right-click action executed upon the desired program culminates in the selection of "Uninstall," thereby setting the removal process in motion. This serves as an effective method to liberate storage space.

Way 4. Run PC cleaner

In addition to Windows built-in features, we still advise you to employing third-party software to  perform hard drive cleanup Windows 10. AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard would be a great choice. It offers many features that are beneficial to disk cleaning. Let’s have a look.

First of all, there is a feature called "PC Cleaner" that is designed to facilitate a seamless elimination of extraneous files from your computer system. Here's an intricate breakdown of the sequential steps:

Step 1. Commence by installing and launching the AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. Subsequently, navigate to "Free up" > "PC Cleaner".

Step 2. Within the ensuing pop-up window, initiate the process by selecting "Start Scan", which will prompt a thorough search for redundant files.

Step 3. Following the commencement of the scan, a brief interlude is anticipated as the progress bar gradually fills.

Step 4. Upon the scan's completion, tick the files you want to clean, and choose "Clean All" ro execute the task.

Step 5. Once a pertinent indicator is exhibited in the interface, you're welcome to navigate "Back", facilitating a return to the principal interface.

Way 5. Delete large files

To delete large files that you won’t use any more, you can upgrade to the Professional edition. Its "Delete Large Files" feature is a wonderful choice to remove unused files from the hard drive in Windows 10. Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Begin by acquiring and launching the designated tool. In the user interface, navigate to "Free up", then proceed to "Delete Large Files".

Step 2. In the pop-up window, select the partitions that you want to find large files, and click "Start Scan" to scan for large files.

Step 3. When the scan is complete, all large files found are listed. Tick the files you want to delete, and then click the "Delete" button.

Step 4. This step will list all the files you have ticked to delete, click "Delete Now" after confirming that it is correct, then these files will be deleted successfully.

Way 6. Move applications to another drive

Moreover, "APP Mover" feature in AOMEI software facilitate the seamless transfer of substantial programs or sizable applications from one drive to an alternate drive, boasting ample available space. Since the "C drive is full" issue occurs from time to time, we’ll show you how to move apps from one drive to another.

Step 1. Initiate the AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional and progress to "Free up" > "App Mover".

Step 2. Choose the C drive as the origin and advance by selecting "Next".

Step 3. Indicate the specific apps necessitating relocation, then stipulate the D drive as the designated destination path. The process is set in motion by selecting "Move".

Step 4. A subsequent pop-up window will prompt you to confirm the action. Upon verification, click "OK" to initiate the transfer process. Once completed, finalize the process by selecting "Finish", thus concluding the procedure and exiting the window.

Conclusion

In summary, you can use Windows built-in features to cleanup hard drive Windows 10 when you suffer from slow computer performance. If it doesn’t work, a professional disk cleaner called AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard will make a difference. By the way, if you are a Windows Server user, you can resort to the Server Edition.