How to delete junk files in windows 11?

As a first step, I would run the built-in Disk Cleanup tool (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/cleanmgr).

It won't remove anything vital, and it will often free some space after a Windows update (once you are confident you won't need to roll back any recent system updates).

Be careful When deleting junk files in the Windows 11 system. Deleting files from folders like C:\Windows, C:\Program Files, or C:\Windows\System32 can break Windows or installed programs.

Using Win10/11 Debloater Scripts can be a great way to remove junk files in Windows 11. These scripts are designed to help declutter your system by deleting junk files, registry keys, and other items that are no longer needed or required.

Here are some benefits and considerations to keep in mind:

Benefits:

Space savings: Removing junk files in Windows 11 and registry entries can help free up disk space on your system.
System speed: A decluttered system can result in improved system performance and speed.
Security: Some junk files and registry entries can pose a security risk if not removed.

To use Win10/11 Debloater Scripts, you'll need to:

Choose a script: Select a script that matches your needs, such as a basic or advanced script.
Configure the script: Customize the script to remove specific junk files or registry entries.
Run the script: Execute the script, and be patient as it processes the removals.
Verify the results: Check your system to ensure the removals were successful and didn't cause any issues.
Some popular Win10/11 Debloater Scripts include:

Win10Debloater: A basic script that removes 200+ junk files and registry entries.
Win11Debloater: A more advanced script that removes over 500 junk files and registry entries.
Debloat-Windows-10: A script that removes over 1,000 junk files and registry entries.

Remember to always exercise caution when running scripts that modify your system files and registry. If you're unsure, consider seeking guidance from a trusted IT professional or online community.

What do DISM and SFC do?

DISM: Repairs the Windows image, fixing corrupted system files that may be causing issues.

SFC: Scans and repairs protected system files, replacing corrupted or missing files with healthy copies.

Using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool combined with SFC (System File Checker) is an effective and free way to repair and clean up your Windows 11 system, which can help delete junk files in Windows 11 fix system issues. Here's how they work together:

How to use DISM + SFC for deleting Junk Files Windows 11:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
Search for "cmd" in the Start menu.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

2. Run DISM to Repair the Windows Image:
Enter the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the process to complete (it may take several minutes). This repairs the system image.

3. Run SFC to Fix System Files:
After DISM completes, run:

sfc /scannow

The system will scan for corrupted files and repair them if necessary.

Tasking Scheduler Cache Cleanup is a practical and automated way to keep your Windows 11 system tidy by regularly removing junk files in Windows 11. Here's a detailed explanation:

How does it help with junk file removal?

• Automates cleanup: It runs in the background at scheduled intervals, removing outdated or unnecessary cache files, log files, and other temporary data.
• Reduces manual effort: Instead of manually deleting files from temp folders, the task does it automatically.
• Maintains system performance: Regular cleanup prevents cache buildup that can slow down your system or consume disk space.

How to access and manage these tasks:

1. Open Task Scheduler:
Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to Cleanup Tasks:
Look under Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > DeliveryOptimization or other relevant folders.

3. Review or Disable Tasks:
You can see scheduled cleanup tasks, their triggers, and actions.
To modify, right-click the task, select Properties, and adjust triggers or actions.

4. Create Custom Cleanup Tasks:
You can create your own tasks to remove junk files in Windows 11 or temp files on a schedule.

Here i am talking about a manual, highly detailed approach to deleting junk files in Windows 11 by directly targeting specific system and user temporary folders. Here's a breakdown of each part:

Manual Folder Cleanup 

This method involves directly accessing and deleting junk files in Windows 11 and applications use to store temporary data. Doing so can free up disk space and help improve system performance. 

How to do it:
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, then paste the following paths one by one and delete the contents inside:

1. %TEMP%
Path: User temporary files folder (C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Temp)
Purpose: Stores temporary files created by Windows and applications during operation.
Cleanup: Deleting these files can free up space and remove leftovers from applications or processes that might not have cleaned up after themselves.

2. C:\Windows\Temp
Path: System temporary files (C:\Windows\Temp)
Purpose: Stores temporary files used by Windows during system operations, updates, or installation processes.
Cleanup: Removing files here can help clear up space used by system processes, especially after updates or installations.

3. %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp
Path: Local AppData temp folder (C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Temp)
Purpose: Stores temporary data specific to certain applications.
Cleanup: Similar to the user temp folder, clearing these files can free space used by app-specific temporary data.

4. %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
Path: Internet cache for IE/Edge (C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache)
Purpose: Stores cached web content to speed up browsing.
Cleanup: Clearing cache can free disk space and resolve browsing issues caused by corrupted cache data.

5. %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\WER
Path: Error reports (C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WER)
Purpose: Stores crash dumps and error reports for Windows Error Reporting.
Cleanup: Deleting these can free space accumulated from crash logs, especially if you're troubleshooting.

6. %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization\Cache
Path: Windows Update Delivery Optimization cache (C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization\Cache)
Purpose: Stores cached data for Windows updates, used to optimize update delivery across devices.
Cleanup: Removing these files can free space, especially if updates have already been installed.

If you are going to delete junk files in Windows 11. Using Win10/11 Debloater Scripts can be an effective way to remove unwanted pre-installed apps, bloatware, and certain system files to free up space and improve performance in Windows 11. These scripts automate the process of deleting junk files in Windows 11 and disabling or removing unnecessary components, saving you time and effort.

Pros:

• Automates cleanup of unnecessary apps and files.
• Can improve system responsiveness and free storage.
• Customizable to suit your preferences.

Best Practices:

1. Always back up your system before running debloater scripts.
2. Use scripts from trusted sources with positive community feedback.
3. Review the script contents if possible to understand what will be removed.
4. Run scripts in a controlled environment or with a system restore point in place.