Let Storage Sense clean up automatically — via Microsoft Support

Hidden settinglow riskWindows 11Windows 10

Storage Sense deletes temporary files and old Recycle Bin items on a schedule, and can optionally clear old Downloads or make unused OneDrive files online-only. It only touches the system drive.

Takes effect right away

How to do it

Open Settings → System → Storage and turn Storage Sense on.
Click Storage Sense to choose how often it runs and how long items stay in the Recycle Bin.
The Downloads cleanup is off by default — only turn it on if you don't keep files in Downloads.

Sources

Manage drive space with Storage Sense — by Microsoft Support

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: Not yet
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

storage sensecleanupdisk spacetemp filesrecycle bin

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