After a few months of updates, Windows can hold several gigabytes of old update data. Windows Update Cleanup is Microsoft's own, supported way to remove what is no longer needed. The key is understanding what you give up.
Windows keeps older versions of system files so that updates can be applied reliably and, for a while, rolled back. Windows Update Cleanup removes superseded copies that Windows no longer needs for normal operation.
It is an entry in Disk Cleanup (after you choose Clean up system files) and, on Windows 11, it can also appear under Settings → System → Storage → Temporary files.
Search for Disk Cleanup (or run cleanmgr), choose the Windows drive, click Clean up system files, wait for the scan, then tick Windows Update Cleanup only if you want to see how much it would free. Read the size shown for each category before you confirm.
Alternatively open Settings → System → Storage → Temporary files and review the list Windows shows for your PC.
Yes, when you run it through Disk Cleanup or Settings: this is a supported Windows feature, not a hack. It does not touch your documents, photos or installed programs.
What you give up is the ability to uninstall the updates it cleaned up. If a recent update is causing a problem, solve that first, and only clean up once the PC is working well.
It is most useful when your system drive is nearly full and the scan shows a gigabyte or more. If it shows a few hundred megabytes, the saving may not be worth the trade-off, and Windows may clean it automatically later.
Do not delete files by hand from C:\Windows or the WinSxS folder to get the same effect. Manual deletion can break updates and repair tools. Use the supported tools only. See our guide on the WinSxS folder for the details.
Windows Update Cleanup is also different from Previous Windows installation (Windows.old). That one removes the option to go back to the earlier Windows version, so read it separately.
Check Settings → System → Storage for the biggest categories first. An unused game or a folder of videos is usually bigger than all update leftovers together. Our guide on freeing up disk space on Windows 11 lists the safe order.
Rain Cleaner (Windows 10/11, 64-bit) lists 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). Everything above works with Windows alone.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Yes, when you use Disk Cleanup or the Storage settings. You lose the ability to uninstall the updates that were cleaned up.
It varies. A PC that has been updating for months may free several gigabytes; a freshly installed one may free almost nothing.
No. Windows.old is the Previous Windows installation and is listed separately; removing it removes the option to roll back to the earlier version.
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A practical order to check before you change anything.
A short, ordered checklist before you change anything.
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Free, no account, no subscription. Windows 10 and 11.