What Storage Sense does in Windows 10 and 11, which files it removes, and how to configure it safely.
Storage Sense is a built-in Windows feature that frees disk space automatically by deleting temporary files, emptying old items from the Recycle Bin and, if you allow it, removing old files from Downloads and making unused OneDrive files online-only. It is configured in Settings > System > Storage.
Temporary files that apps no longer use; Recycle Bin items older than a chosen number of days; Downloads files older than a chosen number of days (off by default); locally available OneDrive files not opened for a chosen time, which become online-only.
It can run automatically when disk space is low, or every day, week or month. 'Run Storage Sense now' runs it once with the current settings.
Windows 11 also shows Cleanup recommendations in Settings > System > Storage, which suggest large or unused files and apps. They are suggestions only: nothing is removed until you confirm.
Note: Rain Cleaner Pro can keep space free automatically and shows what it removed.
Last updated: 2026-10-08
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