How To Clear Junk From Windows 10 And 11 To Speed Up Your Computer

How To Clear Junk From Windows 10 And 11
How To Clear Junk From Windows 10 And 11

The title of my blog post today is how to clear junk from Windows 10 and 11 to speed up your computer. Keeping your computer running smoothly is essential, especially if you rely on it every day. Over time, unnecessary files build up in your system, which can slow down performance. In this guide, I’ll show you a quick and easy way to clear junk from Windows 10 and Windows 11 without causing problems like getting logged out of accounts — a common issue when cleaning via a Chrome window.

 

I also have many more videos and blog posts on “How to”, which you can find here or on my YouTube channel here.

 

Follow These Simple Steps Below, Or Watch the Video To Clean Up Your Computer And Boost Its Speed!

 

 

 

 

 

Follow these simple steps to clean up your computer and boost its speed!

 

Why You Should Regularly Clear Junk Files

 

When you use your computer, Windows automatically creates temporary files, cache data, and other unnecessary items that accumulate over time. Regularly deleting these files helps to:

  • Free up storage space

  • Improve your system’s performance

  • Prevent system errors and crashes

  • Extend the life of your hardware

Now let’s get into the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Open the Run Command

 

The first step is to open the Run program.

  • Press Windows Key + R or type Run into the search bar.

  • Click to open the Run window.

This small tool allows you to quickly access system folders that are normally hidden.

Step 2: Clear the Prefetch Folder

 

The Prefetch folder stores startup files that can build up over time.

  • In the Run window, type prefetch and click OK.

  • A window will open showing a list of files.

  • Select all files (you can use Ctrl + A) and press Delete.

  • If some files won’t delete, it’s usually because they are currently being used — you can skip those.

Step 3: Clear the Temp Folder

 

Next, we’ll clear the standard temporary files folder.

  • Open the Run window again.

  • Type temp and click OK.

  • Select all files and delete them.

  • Again, if a few files won’t delete, it’s because they are currently in use — that’s normal.

Step 4: Clear the %Temp% Folder

 

This folder holds additional temporary files.

  • Open the Run window again.

  • Type %temp% and click OK.

  • Select all files and delete them.

Depending on how often you clean your computer, you might see lots of files here. Deleting them can free up a significant amount of space.

Step 5: Use Disk Cleanup

 

Finally, use Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup tool.

  • In the Windows search bar, type Disk Cleanup and select it.

  • Choose the drive you want to clean, usually the C: drive.

  • Click OK.

  • Windows will calculate how much space can be freed up.

  • You can safely delete most items listed (like temporary files, system cache, recycle bin contents).
    Tip: I personally leave the default options ticked without selecting extra options.

  • Click Clean up system files for a deeper cleanup.

Tips for Best Results

 

  • Try to perform this cleanup once a month.

  • Avoid using third-party “PC Cleaner” software — Windows’ own tools are often safer and more effective.

  • Always make sure to save your work before deleting files, especially if you are unsure whether something is in use.

Conclusion

 

By following these simple steps, you can easily keep your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer running fast and efficiently. Regular maintenance like this not only improves performance but can also extend the life of your device.

If you have any questions about this process or run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment below — I’m here to help!

Thanks for reading, and happy computing!