How to Clean Up and Speed Up Windows (Full Walkthrough)
Beginner
How-To · Windows
The complete, in-order process for cleaning up a Windows PC — software clutter first, then the physical side.
- Start with Storage Sense: Settings > System > Storage > turn it on so temp files and old downloads clear automatically going forward.
- Run Disk Cleanup with "Clean up system files" checked (not just the basic version) — this clears old Windows Update leftovers, which is usually the single biggest chunk of reclaimable space.
- Open Task Manager's Startup tab and disable anything with a "High" impact rating that you don't actually need launching every time you turn the computer on.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort by size or last-used date, and uninstall anything you genuinely haven't opened in the past six months.
- Clear out your Downloads folder specifically — it's the single most common place clutter silently accumulates without anyone noticing.
- Run a full scan with Windows Security (Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection) to rule out anything malicious contributing to slowdown.
- Finish with the physical side: unplug the PC and clean dust from vents and fans with compressed air — this affects both performance and noise, and it's the step people skip most.
Running into an error instead of just needing the how-to? Check our Windows troubleshooting guides or the error lookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I do this kind of cleanup?
Every few months is reasonable for most people, or whenever you notice things feeling sluggish — there's no need to do this on a strict schedule.
Is this safe to do without backing up first?
The steps here are non-destructive to personal files, but it's always reasonable practice to have a current backup before making any system-level changes, just as a general precaution.
More Windows how-tos
How to Actually Free Up Disk Space in Windows
Where space actually goes, and how to reclaim it — beyond just deleting a few random files.
How to Safely Clean Dust From Inside Your PC
The physical side of "cleaning Windows" that most people never do — and the safe way to actually do it.
How to Reset Windows Without Losing Your Files
For when cleanup alone isn't enough and you want a genuinely fresh start, without wiping your personal files.