What is the best way to remove junk files on windows 10?

Windows provides several built-in command-line utilities that offer granular control over Windows 10 junk file removal, often more thorough than GUI tools. This method is ideal for technical users, automation, or troubleshooting scenarios where graphical interfaces are unavailable.

1. Disk Cleanup Utility (cleanmgr)

cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

This two-step command:

First, opens the configuration dialog to select ALL possible cleaning options (including hidden ones)

Then executes the cleanup with those settings to delete or remove junk files from Windows 10.

2. Manual Temp File Deletion

:: Clear user temp folders
rd /s /q %temp% 2>nul
md %temp%

:: Clear system temp folder
cd /d C:\Windows\Temp
del /q /f /s *.* 2>nul

:: Clear prefetch (carefully - can slow initial app loads)
cd /d C:\Windows\Prefetch
del /q /f /s *.* 2>nul

3. Remove Outdated Update Components with DISM

dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Command-line tools provide the most direct and scriptable approach to junk file removal on Windows 10, with cleanmgr and DISM being the core Microsoft-recommended utilities. While offering powerful options, they require cautious use, particularly with manual file deletion. For most users, combining cleanmgr with occasional DISM /StartComponentCleanup strikes the optimal balance between effectiveness and safety, potentially freeing gigabytes of space while maintaining system stability.