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HoldenStorm's avatar
HoldenStorm
Iron Contributor
Jan 13, 2026

What is the best clean up app for Windows 10/11 PC?

Hi,

looking for some real-world advice here. My Windows 10 PC and Windows 11 laptop started to become sluggish, and storage space keeps shrinking for no clear reason. Temporary files, cache, and leftovers from old apps seem to pile up fast. There are so many PC clean up apps out there, and opinions are all over the place. Some claim big performance boosts, others look risky or too aggressive. Built-in Windows tools feel limited, so a third-party option sounds tempting.

What is the best clean up app for PC on Windows 10 and Windows 11 that actually works nowadays? Any recommendations would be great. Thanks!

7 Replies

  • SasK's avatar
    SasK
    Iron Contributor

    Microsoft PC Manager is one of the best cleanup apps for Windows 11 and Windows 10.

  • VaughnRamsey's avatar
    VaughnRamsey
    Iron Contributor

    Many "cleaner" apps are overly aggressive, deleting cache that's actually useful (speeding up programs) or messing with the registry for negligible gains. The goal isn't to delete the most bytes, but to safely remove genuine junk without breaking your system.

    As all i know. BleachBit is a well-known free and open-source cleaning up app for PC maintenance. It’s designed to help you free up disk space, clean privacy-sensitive data, and optimize system performance.

    Real-World Use: It's like a surgical scalpel compared to a sledgehammer. You can safely clean browser cache, Windows update leftovers, and thumbnails without touching anything else. The "Overwrite files to prevent recovery" option is for the privacy-conscious.

    How to use the clean up app for PC safely: Stick to the well-documented presets (Chrome, Firefox, System, etc.) under the "Cleaners" tab. Avoid the "Free disk space" option under "Drives" unless you fully understand it (it wipes free space, not files).

    Usage Tips:

     1. Run BleachBit as administrator to clean system files effectively.

     2. Use the Preview option (if available) to see what will be cleaned beforehand.

     3. Regularly run to keep your system free of junk files and improve privacy.

  • AldenGrove's avatar
    AldenGrove
    Iron Contributor

    What is the best PC cleanup tools on Windows 10 computer? Using Windows Storage Sense is an excellent, built-in, free way to keep your Windows 10 clean and optimized without installing any third-party software. It automates the cleanup process and helps you free up disk space efficiently.

    As a best PC cleanup tool. Storage Sense is a feature integrated into Windows that automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files such as temporary files, items in the Recycle Bin, and downloaded files that haven't been used for a while.

    How to Enable and Use Storage Sense on Windows 10

    1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
    2. Navigate to System > Storage.
    3. Turn on Storage Sense.
    4. Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize settings:
        Set how often Storage Sense runs (daily, weekly, monthly).
        Choose what files to delete automatically (temporary files, Recycle Bin, Downloads).
        Decide how long files should stay in Downloads before deletion.
    5. To run it immediately, click Run Storage Sense now.

    Additional Tips

        Regularly review and adjust Storage Sense settings based on your needs.
        Combine with manual cleanup for thorough maintenance.
        Use the "Free Up Space Now" option periodically for an immediate clean.

  • Nathanelp's avatar
    Nathanelp
    Iron Contributor

    Using Command Prompt as a free clean up app for PC is a practical approach if you're comfortable with command-line operations and want to avoid other PC cleanup tools. While it doesn't replace dedicated cleanup programs, you can perform several cleanup tasks manually, which can help free up space and improve performance.

    1. Delete Temporary Files
    Temporary files can accumulate over time and take up significant space. You can delete them with the following commands:

    del /q /f /s %TEMP%\*
    rd /s /q %TEMP%

    %TEMP% points to your temporary files folder.
    This command deletes all files in the temp folder and then removes the folder itself.

    2. Clear Windows Update Cache
    Old Windows update files can occupy disk space:

    net stop wuauserv
    del /q /f /s C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*
    net start wuauserv

    Stops the Windows Update service, deletes cached update files, and restarts the service.

    3. Empty Recycle Bin
    You can empty the Recycle Bin via command line:

    PowerShell -Command "Clear-RecycleBin -Force -Confirm:$false"

    4. Remove Old Log Files and System Files
    With the clean up app for PC. You can find and delete large log files or other unnecessary files manually or with commands, but be cautious not to delete critical system files.

  • AdrianPierce's avatar
    AdrianPierce
    Iron Contributor

    Using Windows Built-in Disk Cleanup Tool is an excellent choice if you're looking for a best clean up App for PC. It is included with Windows, so there’s no need to download any additional software. Disk Cleanup can help you remove unnecessary files such as temporary files, system cache, Recycle Bin contents, and more, freeing up disk space and improving system performance.

    Here are some benefits of using Windows Disk Cleanup:

    Cost-Free: It’s completely free and integrated into Windows.
    Easy to Use: User-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
    Selective Cleaning: You can choose which types of files to delete.
    System Files Cleanup: Optionally, it can clean system files, including old Windows update files and previous Windows installations.

    How to use Windows Disk Cleanup as Clean up App for PC:

    1. Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup.
    2. Select Disk Cleanup from the search results.
    3. Choose the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
    4. Click OK and wait for the scan.
    5. Check the boxes next to the file types you want to delete.
    6. Click OK, then confirm to delete the files.

  • HunterOrion's avatar
    HunterOrion
    Iron Contributor

    AVG TuneUp. It is a comprehensive clean up app for PC that helps free up storage space, remove junk files, optimize background processes, update software, and generally improve system performance. It combines tools to remove temporary files, cache, unused apps, and other clutter that builds up over time, and can help speed up startup and everyday performance.

    Step 1: On the main dashboard, click Scan now to let TuneUp analyze your system for junk, unused programs, and performance issues. Your first scan gives a full overview of items that can be cleaned or optimized.

    Step 2: In the side menu, select Clean Junk. Choose the categories you want to clean (e.g., temporary system files, browser cache, log files). Click Clean to remove selected items and free up disk space.

    Step 3: Go to Settings → Auto-Clean and toggle it On to let TuneUp regularly remove unnecessary files automatically. You can customize the frequency and file types it removes.

    Step 4: From the menu, choose Optimize Disks to check for problems affecting performance and follow the on-screen prompts to fix them. Optionally run a registry cleanup to remove leftover entries that can slow the system.

  • LeoMaverick's avatar
    LeoMaverick
    Iron Contributor

    I vote for Microsoft PC Manager, a free official optimization and cleanup app from Microsoft designed to help keep Windows 10 PCs tidy and running smoothly. It brings together a bunch of maintenance tasks, like clearing temporary and unused files, managing storage space, and offering quick access to performance-related settings; all from a single dashboard instead of having to hunt through different parts of Windows.

    The best free Windows 11 PC cleanup tool also includes a boost feature that frees up RAM and removes clutter, and integrates with core Windows services so you can manage updates and basic protection features in one place.

    Pros

    • Official and free: It’s developed by Microsoft and available at no cost, with no bundled third-party ads or software.
    • Centralized tools: Combines several system maintenance functions. Storage cleanup, app and process overview, and quick access to Windows security and updates in one place.
    • User-friendly: Simplifies common cleanup tasks for non-technical users and provides visual feedback on space used and memory freed.

    Cons

    • Modest cleanup impact: The “boost” and cleanup features provide only small, incremental gains over Windows’ built-in tools like Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup.
    • Limited advanced options: It lacks deeper customization and powerful cleanup options that more experienced users might expect from dedicated optimizers.

    If you want a simple, Windows 11/10 cleanup app for PC that’s safer than third-party alternatives and easier to use than hunting through built-in tools, PC Manager is worth trying, especially on Windows 10/11 OS  that need occasional housekeeping without complexity.

     

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