How to Disk Cleanup in Windows 11 (Beginner-Friendly, In-Depth)

Free up space. Keep Windows fast. Do it safely.

What to check before you clean

Plug in your laptop.
Close big apps and games.
Back up anything important.
Know your goal: quick space now vs. ongoing cleanups.

Method 1 — Storage Sense (automatic and safe)

Open Settings → System → Storage.
Turn on Storage Sense.
Open Storage Sense to set rules:
- Run Storage Sense: Every day, week, month, or low free disk space.
- Temporary files: Delete app temp files and thumbnails.
- Recycle Bin: Delete files older than X days.
- Downloads: Only enable if you don’t store working files there.
- OneDrive content: Keep online-only if not used recently.
Click Run Storage Sense now to clean immediately.

Why this helps: It keeps the OS tidy without manual work. Good default for most users.

Method 2 — Temporary files (manual control)

Settings → System → Storage → Temporary files.
Review categories:
- Windows Update Cleanup: Safe. Removes superseded updates.
- Delivery Optimization Files: Safe if you don’t need peer updates.
- Temporary files and Thumbnails: Safe.
- Downloads: Only select if you’re sure.
- Previous Windows installation (Windows.old): Safe after you’re happy with the upgrade.
Select items → Remove files.

Tip: If you just updated Windows, Windows.old can be tens of GB.

Method 3 — Disk Cleanup (classic tool)

Press Start, type Disk Cleanup, open it.
Select C: → OK.
Click Clean up system files → choose C: again.
Check items you want to remove → OK → Delete Files.

When to use: You want the old interface or specific categories not shown in Settings.

Method 4 — Clear temp folders (user-level, quick win)

Press Win + R → type %temp% → Enter.
Ctrl + A → Delete. Click Skip for files in use.
Press Win + R → type temp → Enter (approve access) → delete contents.
Empty the Recycle Bin.

Method 5 — Clean the component store (WinSxS) with DISM

Open Windows Terminal (Admin) and run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

The first command shows if cleanup is recommended.
The second removes superseded components.

Avoid /ResetBase unless you understand that it prevents uninstalling current updates.

Method 6 — OneDrive “Free up space”

Right-click large folders in your OneDrive → Free up space.
Files stay in the cloud. Local copies are removed. Open them later to re-download.

Method 7 — Optional: hibernation file

If you don’t use Hibernate:

powercfg -h off

This can save several GB. Turn it back on with:

powercfg -h on

Verify results and stay clean

Restart once after a big cleanup.
Check Settings → Storage for free space.
Keep Storage Sense on for monthly cleanups.

Common questions

Is Windows Update Cleanup safe?
Yes. It removes old update files you no longer need.

Can I delete Downloads automatically?
You can, but only if Downloads is not your working folder.

Why didn’t space increase much?
Most space may be in Videos, VM images, or Games. Use Storage → Show more categories to find the big folders.

Best Windows Slideshow Maker Software (Clear Picks, How-Tos, and Export Tips)

Make a slideshow fast. Add music and captions. Export to MP4.

Built-in options (no extra installs)

Microsoft Photos (Windows 11)

Create a video project or slideshow from your pictures.
Drag to set order. Adjust duration, text, and music.
Export as MP4 (1080p is a good balance).

Best for: Quick results with simple effects.

PowerPoint

Insert → Photo Album → add images.
Use Transitions (e.g., Fade). Set timings and automatically advance.
Add Audio for background music.
Export: File → Export → Create a Video (Full HD or 4K).

Best for: Control over timing, captions, and layout.

VLC (for on-the-spot slideshows)

Put images in one folder and name them in order (001, 002, 003).
Open the folder in VLC.
Set image slideshow delay under Preferences → Playlist.

Best for: A looping slideshow during events.

Free utilities (lightweight, powerful)

IrfanView

File → Slideshow: set delay, randomize, add music (MP3).
Save a standalone EXE slideshow or export to video (with plugin).

FastStone Image Viewer

Smooth transitions, pan/zoom effects, captions, and music.

Why these: Tiny downloads, fast performance, portable options.

Paid options (for advanced effects)

Adobe Premiere Elements or Filmora: more transitions, keyframes, and audio ducking.
Use if you need pro-style intros, multiple audio tracks, or 4K with heavy effects.

Workflow tips

Sort images first. Prefix filenames with numbers for a fixed order.
Keep aspect ratio 16:9 for full-screen playback.
Limit to 3–5 minutes for attention.
Use royalty-free music. Keep volume low under voice or captions.

Export settings that work

Resolution: 1920×1080 for most cases. 3840×2160 for 4K TVs.
FPS: 30 fps is fine.
Bitrate: 8–12 Mbps for 1080p, 35–45 Mbps for 4K (typical starting points).
Format: MP4 (H.264) for compatibility.

Troubleshooting

Jerky motion? Use longer durations. Avoid heavy zooms on huge images.
Colors look dull? Make sure display color profile is correct and images are sRGB.
Audio too loud? Lower background music to ~-18 dB RMS.

How to Download Outlook for Windows 11 (All Options Explained)

There are two main desktop flavors.

Option 1 — New Outlook for Windows (Microsoft Store)

Free download from the Microsoft Store.
Works with Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo, and iCloud using modern sign-in.
Clean UI. Fast to set up. Good for personal and light business use.

Install

Open Microsoft Store.
Search Outlook for Windows (the new version).
Click Get / Install.
Open and sign in.

Good to know

Add-ins are web-based. Legacy COM add-ins don’t work.
PST/OST access is different from classic Outlook.
Offline features are improving but are not identical to classic Outlook.

Option 2 — Classic Outlook (Microsoft 365 Apps)

Installed as part of Microsoft 365 (Apps for enterprise/business/personal).
Full feature set, legacy add-in support, and deep account controls.
Best for enterprise users, shared mailboxes, and complex rules.

Install

Go to your Microsoft account or work portal.
Download Microsoft 365 Apps.
Run the installer. Outlook is included.
Launch Outlook and sign in.

Move from Mail & Calendar

The old Mail & Calendar app is retired.
New Outlook can import accounts on first run.

First-run checklist

Add all accounts you need.
Set your signature, default reply behavior, Focused Inbox, notifications, and time zone.
Create basic rules (move newsletters, flag VIPs).
Turn on Sync contacts and calendar if you need cross-device sync.

Common fixes

Can’t add Gmail? Enable IMAP and use OAuth. Avoid app passwords unless required.
Stuck syncing? Remove and re-add the account. Check multi-factor prompts.
PST import (classic only): File → Open & Export → Import/Export.

How to Install a Printer in Windows 10 (USB, Wi-Fi, or IP)

Get the right driver. Add the printer the right way. Test a page.

Quick add (works for many home printers)

Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners.
Click Add a printer or scanner.
Select your printer if it appears → Add device.

If it doesn’t show:

Click The printer that I want isn’t listed.
Choose one of:
- Add a local printer (USB).
- Add a printer using TCP/IP address (enter IP like 192.168.1.50).
- Add a shared printer by name (e.g., \\Server\PrinterName).

Best practice — use the manufacturer driver

Go to HP/Brother/Canon/Epson site.
Download the exact Windows 10 64-bit driver or full package.
Install the driver, then connect the printer (USB or IP).
Print a Test page.

Why: Generic drivers can print, but features (duplex, scan) may be missing.

Control Panel method (more control)

Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add a printer.
For network printers, create a Standard TCP/IP Port with the printer’s IP.
Pick the exact model from the list or click Have Disk and point to the INF.

Wireless printers (tips)

Connect the printer to Wi-Fi from its panel. Use the same 2.4/5 GHz SSID as your PC.
Print a Network status page to find the IP.
Use Add a printer using TCP/IP address with that IP for a stable connection.

Useful fixes

Print queue stuck:

net stop spooler
del /q /f %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*
net start spooler

Wrong model driver? Remove the device, delete the driver in Print Management (Pro/Enterprise), then install the correct one.
Set default printer: Settings → Printers & scanners → choose printer → Set as default (turn off “Let Windows manage my default printer” if needed).

FAQ

Wi-Fi printer drops offline?
Reserve its IP in your router (DHCP reservation). Use the IP port, not WSD.

Pages print random characters?
Wrong driver. Install the exact PCL/PS driver for your model.

How to Access Disk Management in Windows 10 (All the Ways + Key Tasks)

Use Disk Management to initialize disks, create partitions, and change drive letters.

Open Disk Management

Right-click Start → Disk Management.
Win + R → diskmgmt.msc → Enter.
Computer Management (compmgmt.msc) → Storage → Disk Management.
Search for Disk Management from Start.

Core tasks you’ll use

Initialize a new disk

Open Disk Management.
If prompted, pick GPT (modern, supports >2 TB) or MBR (legacy).
Right-click Unallocated → New Simple Volume → follow the wizard.

Create a new partition

Right-click Unallocated space → New Simple Volume.
Choose size, assign a letter, set NTFS, and Quick Format.

Extend a volume

Right-click the target volume → Extend Volume.
Select adjacent Unallocated space on the right → Next → Finish.

If Extend is greyed out, the free space is not to the right. Windows can’t move partitions here. Use a dedicated partition tool or back up, delete, and recreate as needed.

Shrink a volume

Right-click the volume → Shrink Volume.
Enter the amount to shrink → Shrink.
You get Unallocated space you can use for another partition.

Change or remove a drive letter

Right-click the volume → Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Change to a new letter or Remove for mount-point use.

Mount a volume to a folder (advanced but handy)

Create an empty folder on an NTFS drive (e.g., C:\Data\Media).
In Change Drive Letter and Paths, click Add → Mount in the following empty NTFS folder → browse to that folder.

PowerShell equivalents (fast checks and automation)

Get-Disk
Get-Partition
Get-Volume

Initialize and create a full-size volume on Disk 1:

Initialize-Disk -Number 1 -PartitionStyle GPT
New-Partition -DiskNumber 1 -UseMaximumSize -DriveLetter E | `
  Format-Volume -FileSystem NTFS -NewFileSystemLabel "Data" -Confirm:$false

Safety notes

Back up before resizing or moving partitions.
Don’t change letters on system, boot, or recovery partitions.
For converting MBR → GPT on a system disk, use mbr2gpt.exe with care and a full backup.

FAQ

GPT or MBR?
Use GPT for modern PCs and large drives. Use MBR only for legacy needs.

Why can’t I extend the C: drive?
Unallocated space must be directly to the right of C:. Otherwise, the option is disabled.

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