Disk Cleanup has been one of the most useful tools that Windows has offered to delete temporary and system files to free up space when your device is running low in storage. However, starting with the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809), Microsoft is deprecating the feature in favor of Storage sense.
Storage sense is a modern take of Disk Cleanup available in the Settings app, which allows Windows 10 to free up space automatically by deleting files you don’t need, such as temporary files and those files in the recycle bin.
The new feature has been available in Windows 10 for several releases, and it was always meant to replace Disk Cleanup, but it’s not until the version 1809 that Microsoft completes porting and building features to make Storage sense a more complete experience.
Starting with the October 2018 Update, the Storage sense is capable of removing the same temporary and system files previously only possible with Disk Cleanup. In addition, you can configure the experience to optimize the storage automatically when your device is running out of space. You can set when to delete recycle bin and those files in the “Downloads” folders. You can allow Storage sense to free up space by removing unused files stored in the OneDrive folder by making them available online-only, and you can quickly delete a previous installation to reclaim storage space.
While the software giant is ending support for Disk Cleanup on Windows 10, the experience will continue to be available for the time being for compatibility reasons, but moving forward, you should only use Storage sense.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].