Keeping your Windows 11 PC fast and smooth requires regular cleaning of temporary files, cache, and system junk. One of the most effective built-in tools for this is Disk Cleanup. If you’re wondering how to run Disk Cleanup Windows 11, this guide will walk you through every method — including how to run Disk Cleanup as administrator Windows 11 for deeper cleanup.

Why Use Disk Cleanup in Windows 11?

Disk Cleanup helps remove:

• Temporary system files
• Windows update leftovers
• Recycle Bin junk
• Thumbnails cache
• System-generated temporary logs

Cleaning these regularly boosts performance and frees up storage space.

Method 1: Run Disk Cleanup Using Windows Search

1. Press Windows + S.
2. Type Disk Cleanup.
3. Click on the Disk Cleanup app.
4. Select the drive (usually C:).
5. Check the boxes for the files you want to delete.
6. Click OK → Delete Files.

This is the simplest method for beginners.

Method 2: How to Run Disk Cleanup as Administrator Windows 11

Running Disk Cleanup as an admin allows you to clean system-level files like Windows Update leftovers.

1. Press Windows + S.
2. Type Disk Cleanup.
3. Right-click Disk Cleanup → Run as administrator.
4. Select the drive.
5. Click Clean up system files.
6. Choose the file categories to remove.
7. Click OK.

This method performs a deeper cleanup and frees more space.

Method 3: Run Disk Cleanup Using Run Command

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type: cleanmgr
3. Press Enter.
4. Select the drive and clean unwanted files.

Method 4: Run Disk Cleanup for a Specific Drive

To directly open Disk Cleanup for drive C:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter: cleanmgr /d C
3. Press Enter.

You can replace C with any drive letter.

Method 5: Run Disk Cleanup in Windows 10 (If You Are Using Both OS)

If you also want to know how to run Disk Cleanup Windows 10, the steps are almost identical:

1. Press Start and search Disk Cleanup.
2. Select the drive.
3. Check the boxes.
4. Click OK.

The tool works the same on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Alternative: Use Storage Sense in Windows 11

Storage Sense is an automatic cleaner.

1. Go to Settings → System → Storage.
2. Turn on Storage Sense.
3. Customize cleanup frequency.

Internal Links (as requested)

To enhance your Windows experience, check these useful guides:

• Alt+Tab Not Working Windows 11 – Complete Fix
• How to Enable Copilot in Office 365
• How to Disable Game Bar in Windows 11

Conclusion

Running Disk Cleanup on Windows 11 is one of the easiest ways to keep your PC fast, optimized, and clutter-free. Whether you use the search option, Run command, or admin mode, the process is simple and effective.

FAQs

1. What does Disk Cleanup remove?

It deletes temporary files, cache, system junk, thumbnails, logs, and Windows update leftovers.

2. Is Disk Cleanup safe?

Yes, it only removes unnecessary files.

3. How often should I run Disk Cleanup?

At least once a month for best performance.

4. Does Disk Cleanup delete personal files?

No, it only deletes system-generated junk.

5. Why run Disk Cleanup as administrator?

It unlocks deeper cleanup options like system files and update cache.