People look for a different cleaner for many reasons, and none of them mean the tool they use is bad. This page explains what the main kinds of Windows cleanup tools do and what to compare, so you can choose on facts. Check each vendor's official page for current details.
Common reasons are a preference for software without ads or bundled offers, a different licensing model, or wanting more control and more explanation about what will be removed. Windows itself also cleans a lot, so some people find they need nothing extra.
Preview before cleanup: can you see what will change before it happens? Undo or recovery: can a change be reversed? Ads and bundles: what does the installer offer? Data handling: what does the tool send, and is it explained? Open source or proprietary: these are different trust models, and either can be a reasonable choice. Windows versions: check that your edition and architecture are supported.
Storage Sense (Settings → System → Storage) and Disk Cleanup are included with Windows, cost nothing and cover temporary files, the Recycle Bin and cached update data. They are a good first step. Read each category before you tick it.
BleachBit is an open-source cleaner. Its source code is public and it gives you manual control over what is cleaned, which suits people who prefer open-source software and are comfortable reading what each option does.
Many cleaners are proprietary and use a free tier with a paid upgrade, or a subscription. Licensing, included extras and what the free version allows differ, so compare the official pages rather than third-party summaries.
Rain Cleaner (Windows 10/11, 64-bit) shows what it found, with an explanation for each item, before it removes anything. The Free version has no ads; Pro has a free 14-day trial (no card). We make it, so weigh this page accordingly: everything above also works with Windows alone.
Start with Storage settings to see what is actually using space. Try the built-in tools first, then add a third-party tool only if you want something they do not give you. Keep a backup before any large cleanup.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
It depends on what you value: the built-in Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup cost nothing, BleachBit is open source, and several freemium cleaners exist, including Rain Cleaner. Compare preview, undo, ads and licensing.
For temporary files and the Recycle Bin it often is. It does not explain every item or show a detailed preview the way dedicated tools do.
It depends on the vendor. Download from the official site, read what the installer offers, check that you can preview changes, and keep a backup.
No. Do not delete files from WinSxS by hand. Use Windows Update Cleanup or DISM component cleanup, which are built for it.
Built-in tools first, and what to check before you delete.
A practical order to check before you change anything.
A short, ordered checklist before you change anything.
Read the ID, understand it and search the maker's official page.
What each cleaner is built for, and who it fits.
What is safe to remove, and what needs a second look.
What it removes, what you lose, and when to use it.
Why it looks so big, and the safe ways to shrink it.
What it holds, what you lose, and the supported way to remove it.
What the cache is and how to clear it with Windows tools.
A sensible order for network, chipset, storage, graphics and more.
Add one driver or a whole folder from the command line.
Look first, back up, then remove - with Android's own tools.
Why they appear and how to remove them without losing a good shot.
Rain Cleaner: review before cleanup, free version, 14-day Pro trial.
Hash check, Defender scan and the SmartScreen steps.
How to report a security issue privately.
What we are working on now, next and later.
A safe order of checks: df, inodes, du, open deleted files, logs, packages and Docker.
Check the size, vacuum it once, and set a permanent limit.
Four built-in ways to see what is taking the space, before you delete anything.
Every disk-cleanup question in one place, with a safe order of checks.
Nine steps in a safe order, printable.
Backup, restore point, preview first, and what never to delete by hand.
What they are, how to shrink them safely and what not to touch.
Free, no account, no subscription. Windows 10 and 11.