5 steps for a Windows system that is minimal and cleaned

 

Regular disk cleaning helps keep Windows 10 or 11 working properly and releases valuable storage space. To obtain yourself a lean, clean machine, follow any or all of the methods listed below.

Step 1: Use Windows' built-in disk cleaning toolsStep 

2: Use UnCleaner to detect any issues that the built-in utilities overlook.Step 

3: Discard outdated device drivers by using DriverStore Explorer.Step 

4: Wipe the component store using DISM.Step 

5: Use WizTree to examine the system drive.

Step 1: Use Windows' built-in disk cleaning tools

Enter disk clean or cleanmgr.exe into the Start menu search box to start Disk Cleanup. The top of those search results ought to show the desktop version of the Disk Cleanup utility. Choose Run as administrator from the ensuing choices menu, if you can. Why? The opportunity to remove unnecessary or out-of-date OS files and other Windows remnants doesn't come until after that (for example, old OS files following an upgrade or old updates).

Step 2: Use UnCleaner to detect any issues that the built-in utilities overlook.

UnCleaner is a useful and cost-free program . Even Windows' built-in tools can't find and eliminate temporary and outdated log files, but it can find them and erase them.  Although this utility displays a date of 2012, I can confirm that it is still functional on Windows 10 and 11 computers as of mid-2023.

To remove the files, just click the Clean button (bottom left). Because some of the reported files are locked by Windows runtime restrictions, you won't be able to get this program to remove everything it finds. But occasionally, you'll notice a notification that reads, "Good. Your computer is really clean. 

Step 3: Discard outdated device drivers by using DriverStore Explorer.

 DriverStore Explorer (RAPR.exe), a cost-free open-source program, Run as administrator by selecting it from the context menu when you right-click RAPR's icon. You'll see a list of installed drivers with checkboxes when you launch it. To tick the boxes for the older driver versions it discovers, just click the Select Old Driver(s) button in the top right corner of the screen. They are distinguished by blue checkmarks.

Step 4: Wipe the component store using DISM.

Open an elevated PowerShell or Command Prompt window to get started. Press the Windows key and X on the Windows desktop, and then from the pop-up menu that appears, choose Windows PowerShell (Admin). (Alternatively, you may use the Start menu's search box to enter "powershell," then right-click Windows PowerShell and choose "Run as administrator" from the pop-up menu.) Enter the following text into the Administrator: Windows PowerShell window that appears.

dism /online /cleanup-image /analyzecomponentstore

Notice that the response text reported “Yes” in the field labeled “Component Store Cleanup Recommended.” That’s your clue that DISM has something it can clean up on your behalf.

dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

Step 5: Use WizTree to examine the system drive.

Once the previous cleanups have been finished, it's a good idea to look through the system disk to find the large files. I utilize the free, charitable software. TreeSize Free is a respectable substitute for the WizTree application. Both tools generate treemap diagrams, which are visual representations of the contents of the disk that make it simple to identify large files and directories.