How to Run Windows Update Cleanup in Windows 11

Windows Update Cleanup clears old update files that Windows has already marked as removable. The quickest path is in Settings, and Disk Cleanup is still there when you want the classic checkbox screen.

Start with the everyday Windows 11 tools, then move to component cleanup only if you are dealing with stubborn update storage. Do not delete WinSxS by hand, and do not use old Windows 7 cleanup add-on instructions on a current PC.

1. Start With Temporary Files in Settings

Check this screen first on Windows 11 because it puts Windows Update Cleanup beside the other temporary file categories Windows can remove.

1. 1.Open Start.
2. 2.Select Settings.
3. 3.Go to System > Storage.
4. 4.Select Temporary files.
5. 5.Select Windows Update Cleanup.
6. 6.Select Remove files.

If you also want to clear update delivery cache files, select Delivery Optimization Files on the same screen. Leave Previous Windows installation(s) unchecked unless you are finished with the rollback option after an upgrade.

2. Let Cleanup Recommendations Surface More Space

1. 1.Open Start.
2. 2.Select Settings.
3. 3.Go to System > Storage.
4. 4.Select Cleanup recommendations.
5. 5.Review the file categories shown on the page.
6. 6.Select the items you want to remove.
7. 7.Select Clean up.

Use this when you want Windows to gather cleanup categories for review instead of opening each storage area yourself.

3. Run Disk Cleanup for the Classic System File Scan

Disk Cleanup still works in current Windows releases, and it is useful when Windows Update Cleanup does not appear in Settings or when you prefer the older checkbox list. Select Search on the taskbar, type Disk Cleanup, select Disk Cleanup, choose the Windows drive, usually C:, select OK, then select Clean up system files. Select the file types you want to remove, including Windows Update Cleanup when Windows lists it, select OK, and select Delete files.

Windows lists Windows Update Cleanup only when it detects removable update files.

4. Clear Delivery Optimization Files When Update Downloads Pile Up

1. 1.Select Search on the taskbar.
2. 2.Type Disk Cleanup.
3. 3.Select Disk Cleanup.
4. 4.On the Disk Cleanup tab, select Delivery Optimization Files.
5. 5.Select OK.
6. 6.Select Delete Files.

Delivery Optimization Files are cached Delivery Optimization downloads, which can include Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, and other Microsoft product content. Clear them separately when you want to recover space tied to those downloads.

5. Turn On Storage Sense for Automatic Cleanup

Storage Sense handles routine cleanup on the system drive, and Microsoft documents that it cannot run unless you are signed in and online for more than 10 minutes. Once it is on, the default behavior is to run when your device is low on disk space.

1. 1.Open Start.
2. 2.Select Settings.
3. 3.Go to System > Storage.
4. 4.Set Storage Sense to On.
5. 5.Select Storage Sense.
6. 6.Under Run Storage Sense, choose the cleanup schedule.
7. 7.Review the temporary-file cleanup options.

6. Remove Previous Windows Installation Files After an Upgrade

1. 1.Open Start.
2. 2.Select Settings.
3. 3.Go to System > Storage.
4. 4.Select Temporary files.
5. 5.Select Previous version of Windows or Previous Windows installation(s).
6. 6.Select Remove files.

After a feature upgrade or OS upgrade, Windows keeps rollback files in Previous version of Windows or Previous Windows installation(s). Remove them only when you are done with the rollback window.

This requires administrator privileges and removes the rollback option. Windows normally deletes the previous installation automatically 10 days after the upgrade.

7. Use Component Cleanup for WinSxS Storage

Use component cleanup when the space is tied to superseded Windows component files in WinSxS. This is not a replacement for the normal Temporary files screen.

To run the scheduled task:

1. 1.Open Start.
2. 2.Search for Task Scheduler.
3. 3.Select Task Scheduler.
4. 4.Open Task Scheduler Library\Microsoft\Windows\Servicing.
5. 5.Select StartComponentCleanup.
6. 6.Select Run.

To run the command instead, open an elevated Command Prompt or elevated Windows Terminal, then run Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup.

The manual scheduled task run has a 1-hour timeout. The DISM command gives similar results without the scheduled task's 30-day grace period and without that 1-hour timeout.

Do not use Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase for routine cleanup. After /ResetBase, installed Windows updates cannot be uninstalled.

8. Reset the Windows Update Cache Only for Update Errors

1. 1.Press Win + R.
2. 2.Type services.msc.
3. 3.Press Enter.
4. 4.In Services, locate Windows Update.
5. 5.Right-click Windows Update.
6. 6.Select Stop.
7. 7.Open C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
8. 8.Delete the files and folders inside SoftwareDistribution.
9. 9.Return to Services.
10. 10.Right-click Windows Update.
11. 11.Select Start.

Deleting the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution is a troubleshooting step for corrupt or incomplete update files. It is not routine disk cleanup.

Do not manually delete C:\Windows\WinSxS. Microsoft says manual deletion from WinSxS is unsupported and can damage Windows.

9. Skip Old Windows 7 Add-On Advice on Current PCs

Old tutorials mention a Disk Cleanup Wizard add-on for Windows Update Cleanup, but that add-on applied to Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, not current consumer Windows PCs.

On a school or work-managed PC, your organization can control Storage Sense with policy. Use the available Settings controls, and contact your IT team when cleanup settings are locked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows Update Cleanup safe to delete?

Yes. Use Settings or Disk Cleanup to remove Windows Update Cleanup files that Windows has marked as removable.

Why is Windows Update Cleanup missing?

Windows shows Windows Update Cleanup only when it detects removable update files. Check Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files first, then run Disk Cleanup and choose Clean up system files.

Does Windows Update Cleanup delete personal files?

No. Windows Update Cleanup targets old Windows update files. Review every selected category before choosing Remove files or Delete files.

Should I delete Previous Windows installation files?

Delete them only after you are finished with the rollback option from a Windows upgrade. Removing them requires administrator privileges, and Windows normally deletes them automatically after 10 days.

What should I do on a work or school PC?

Use the cleanup options available in Settings. If Storage Sense or cleanup categories are locked, your organization controls them through policy.