Regular cleaning of your Windows 10 PC is necessary to maintain peak performance and security and increase device lifespan. Your computer may get a lot of digital garbage over time, ranging from out-of-date drivers and cached data to temporary files and unneeded apps. This slows down your system and uses up important storage space. Maintaining the smooth and effective operation of your Windows 10 computer requires that you learn how to clean it. We will go through every stage of cleaning your PC Windows 10 computer in detail in this comprehensive guide, including everything from routine maintenance to more advanced cleaning methods.

Why You Should Regularly Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Understanding the importance of cleaning your Windows 10 PC before moving on to the actual processes is important. Your computer gathers various unnecessary files and data as you use it. These include:

• Temporary files: These are created by the system for temporary usage, but even after you stop using them, they frequently stay on your computer.
• System caches: Although they might bulge over time, they are used to speed up operations and store data for easy access.
• Unused applications: Programs you no longer use may take up a lot of space and resources. If they’re out of date, they can even pose security risks
• Fragmented data: Files that are regularly saved, deleted, and modified can become fragmented, which will slow down your hard drive’s read and write speeds.

These factors all work together to make the system slower and less effective. Regularly cleaning your Windows 10 computer can help you:

• Boost performance: System resources are opened up when unnecessary files and programs are removed, which improves computer efficiency.
• Increase security: The danger of weaknesses and security breaches is decreased by removing viruses and out-of-date, poor software.
• Free up storage space: Cleaning up your hard drive makes more space for important data and apps.
• Increase system longevity: Timely maintenance keeps your computer running longer by averting hardware issues and system failures.

Now that you know how important it is to clean up your Windows 10 computer, let’s explore the procedure step-by-step.

Step 1: Uninstall Unnecessary Programs to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Removing unnecessary programs from your Windows 10 computer is one of the best methods to make it clean. These unused programs can be very space-consuming and sometimes even keep using resources in the background.

1. Open the Settings menu: To access the Settings menu, press the Windows key + I. Proceed to “Apps” from this point on to view a list of all the installed programs on your machine.
2. Review installed programs: Make a list of the programs you no longer use and go through it. These could be demo versions of software, old games, or one-time downloads of apps.
3. Uninstall unnecessary programs: To uninstall software, click on it and choose “Uninstall.” To fully uninstall the software from your computer, adhere to the instructions.

You are taking an important initial step toward cleaning up your Windows 10 computer by eliminating many of these unnecessary apps. This will help decrease background processes and free up storage.

Step 2: Manage Startup Programs to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Some programs are set up to start automatically when your computer boots up. A boot time that is much longer can be achieved by having a lot of startup programs, even though some of them are not necessary. Limiting these starting apps is an important stage of cleaning your PC Windows 10.

1. Open Task Manager: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. An other option is to right-click on the taskbar and choose “Task Manager.”.

2. Go to the Startup Tab: Navigate to the “Startup” tab in Task Manager. A list of all the apps that are scheduled to launch when Windows boots up can be found here.
3. Review Startup Programs: Take a look at the list of applications and mark any apps that don’t require automatic startup. For example, media players, chat programs, and cloud storage services might not be needed for you to use at startup.

4. Disable Unnecessary Programs: To disable an application, right-click it and select “Disable.” By doing this, you can prevent the application from starting up automatically the next time your computer starts up.

You can speed up system startup and minimize boot time by minimizing the number of startup apps. This is an important stage to keep your PC Windows 10.

Step 3: Clear Your Browser Cache to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

A lot of information is stored in your web browser, such as cookies, browsing history, and cached images. This data may build up over time and make browsing more difficult. A key component in cleaning your PC Windows 10 computer is clearing the cache in your browser.

1. Open Your Browser: Open the web browser that you use regularly, be it Edge, Firefox, or Chrome.
2. Access the Settings Menu: Go to the options or settings menu. The three dots or lines in the upper right corner of the browser window are often where you may find this.
3. Clear Browsing Data: Look for the “Clear browsing data” or a similar option. With this option, you can remove all types of stored data, such as cookies, browsing history, and cached files and photos.
4. Select Data to Clear: Select what types of data you would like to remove. To ensure a complete cleanup when cleaning your Windows 10 computer, it is a good idea to remove all data categories.
5. Confirm and Clear Data: To completely remove the selected items from your browser, click “Clear data” or a similar option.

Regularly clearing the cache in your browser not only speeds up your browsing but also helps to clean your Windows 10 computer overall, so it’s an important part of keeping your system in good working order.

Step 4: Update Windows and Drivers to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

It’s important to keep your Windows 10 operating system and drivers up to date if you want to maintain a clean and efficient PC. Updates are recommended to keep your computer operating at peak efficiency and frequently contain security upgrades, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Make sure your system is up to date to Clean up Your PC Windows 10.

Check for Windows Updates:

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to “Update Security” and click to view Windows Update settings.
• To find out if your system requires any updates, click “Check for updates.”.
• If there are any updates available, select “Download” and follow the instructions provided on the screen to install them.

Update Device Drivers:

• Right-click on the Start icon and select “Device Manager.”
• You may get a list of all the hardware components on your system by opening Device Manager. To update a component, right-click on it and choose “Update Driver.”
• Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” to allow Windows to locate the most recent drivers for your devices. Note: Your PC needs to be connected to the internet.

Keeping your system up to date involves updating both Windows and your drivers. Regular updates ensure that your PC runs smoothly, making it easier to clean up your PC Windows 10 and keep it running efficiently.

Step 5: Defragment Your Hard Drive to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Over time, the file on your hard drive can become fragmented, which means files are stored in non-referenced blocks. Your computer may perform slower as a result because fragmented files take longer to access. One important step in cleaning your PC Windows 10 is to defragment your hard drive, which reorganizes these blocks for quicker access.

1. Open the Defragment Tool: In the Windows search, type “defragment” and choose “Defragment and Optimize Drives” from the list of results.
2. Select the Drive: You’ll see a list of your drives in the tool. Choose the drive that needs defragmenting; this is usually the C: drive.
3. Analyze the Drive: Click “Analyze” to see how fragmented your drive is. Defragmentation should be done if the level of fragmentation is high.
4. Optimize the Drive: Click “Optimize” to begin the defragmentation process if your drive needs it. It could take a while, depending on what you are trying to do.

We are going towards fully cleaning your PC, Windows 10, and this is an important step to clean up your PC, Windows 10. Regularly doing this is a good practice.

Step 6: Remove Temporary Files to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Temporary files are created by various programs and the operating system itself to store data temporarily. Over time, these files can accumulate and take up a significant amount of space on your hard drive. Removing temporary files is an essential step to clean up your PC Windows 10, as it helps to free up space and improve system performance.

Access the Temp Folder:

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

• Type %temp% and press Enter. This will open the Temp folder, where temporary files are stored.
• Repeat it and this time type temp.
• Again, repeat this time, type prefetch.
• Again, repeat this time type recent.

Delete temporary files:

• Press Ctrl + A to select all files in the Temp folder.
• Right-click on the selected files and choose “Delete.”
• If any files are in use and cannot be deleted, skip them.
• Repeat it to all.

Use Storage Sense:

• Windows 10 includes a feature called Storage Sense, which can automatically remove temporary files.
• Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense. You can customize it to delete temporary files and files in the Recycle Bin automatically.

By regularly removing temporary files, you can effectively clean up your PC Windows 10 and keep your system running smoothly.

Step 7: Scan for Malware to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Malware can seriously compromise your system’s performance and security. Regularly scanning for and removing malware is crucial to cleaning your PC Windows 10 and protecting your data.

Use Windows Defender:

• Windows Defender, built into Windows 10, provides real-time protection against malware.
• To run a scan, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security, and click on “Virus & threat protection.”
• Click on “Quick scan” to check your system for threats. For a more thorough scan, select “Full scan.”

Consider Third-Party Antivirus Software:

• While Windows Defender is effective, you might also want to use third-party antivirus software for additional protection.
• Programs like Malwarebytes can provide a deeper scan and catch threats that Windows Defender might miss.

Best Antivirus Software list

Remove Detected Threats:

• After the scan is complete, remove any detected threats. This process is essential to clean your PC Windows 10 and ensure it remains secure.

Scanning for malware regularly is a critical aspect of maintaining a clean and secure PC in Windows 10.

Step 8: Organize Your Files to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

An organized file system is not just about aesthetics; it also makes your computer easier to use and can contribute to improved performance. Organizing your files is an important part of how to clean up your PC Windows 10.

Sort and Categorize Files:

• Go through your files and categorize them into folders based on their type or purpose. For example, keep all your documents in one folder and your media files in another.
• Consider creating subfolders to further organize your files. For example, under your “Documents” folder, you might have separate folders for work, personal, and financial documents.

Delete unnecessary files:

• While organizing, you may come across files you no longer need. Deleting these files is a quick way to clean up your PC Windows 10 and free up space.

Use the “Downloads” folder wisely:

• The Downloads folder often becomes cluttered with files that you download and forget about. Regularly clean out this folder and move important files to their appropriate locations.

Backup Important Files:

• As you organize, make sure to back up important files to an external drive or cloud storage. This not only helps to clean up your PC Windows 10 by freeing up space but also protects your data from potential loss.

By keeping your files organized, you can more easily access what you need and maintain a clean, efficient PC Windows 10.

Step 9: Use Disk Cleanup to Clean Up Your PC Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that helps you remove temporary files, system caches, and other unnecessary data that can accumulate over time. Using Disk Cleanup is an effective way to clean up your PC Windows 10 and reclaim valuable storage space.

1. Launch Disk Cleanup: Type “Disk Cleanup” into the Windows search bar and select the application from the results.

2. Select the Drive: When prompted, choose the drive you want to clean—usually the C: drive, where your operating system is installed.
3. Scan for Files to Delete: Disk Cleanup will analyze your drive and provide a list of files that can be safely deleted. This includes temporary files, system caches, and files in the Recycle Bin
4. Choose What to Delete: Review the list and select the files you want to remove. You can also click on “Clean up system files” to access additional options, such as removing old Windows installations.

5. Delete Selected Files: Once you’ve made your selections, click “OK” and confirm that you want to delete the files. Disk Cleanup will then remove the selected items, freeing up space on your hard drive.

Running Disk Cleanup regularly is a simple yet powerful way to keep your system clean and ensure that your PC Windows 10 continues to run efficiently.

If this still doesn’t work, then alternative (optional)

If you’ve tried every step to clean up your PC Windows 10—such as uninstalling unnecessary programs, using Disk Cleanup, managing startup programs, clearing your browser cache, updating Windows and drivers, defragmenting your hard drive, removing temporary files, scanning for malware, and organizing your files—and your system is still not performing well, a factory reset might be your best option.

When to Consider a Factory Reset

A factory reset should be considered as a last resort when all other methods have failed to improve your system’s performance. This process will restore your PC to its original state, wiping all data, installed applications, and settings, effectively giving you a clean slate. Here’s what you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages of performing a factory reset:

Advantages of a Factory Reset

Resolves Persistent Issues:

• • A factory reset can eliminate deeply embedded issues, such as system errors or corrupted files, that other cleaning methods can’t fix.

Removes Malware:

• • If your PC has been compromised by malware or a virus that is difficult to remove, a factory reset can clear out all traces of the infection.

Restores System Performance:

• • By starting over with a fresh installation of Windows 10, your system is free of clutter, unnecessary files, and potentially harmful software, leading to improved performance.

Cleans Up Bloatware:

• • It removes all the pre-installed software (bloatware) that came with your PC, giving you a leaner, faster system.

Disadvantages of a Factory Reset

Data Loss:

• • A factory reset will erase all your files, applications, and settings. If you don’t back up your data beforehand, you’ll lose everything.

Reinstallation of Software:

• • After the reset, you’ll need to reinstall all the applications you use, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

Windows Configuration:

• • You’ll have to reconfigure Windows settings, personalize your desktop, and set up everything from scratch.

Temporary Solution:

• • While a factory reset can resolve many issues, it’s not a permanent fix if the underlying problem is related to hardware or persistent malware. The same issues could resurface later.

How to Perform a Factory Reset

Backup Important Data:

• • Before you proceed, ensure that all important files are backed up to an external drive or cloud storage. The reset will delete everything on your PC.

Access the Reset Option:

• • • Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
    • Under the Reset this PC section, click Get Started.

Choose the Reset Option:

• • • Keep my files: This option reinstalls Windows 10 while keeping your personal files, but removes apps and settings.
    • Remove everything: This option removes all personal files, apps, and settings, effectively returning your PC to its factory state.

Follow the on-screen instructions:

• • Windows will guide you through the reset process. Depending on your system and the options you choose, this may take some time.

Reinstall Applications:

• • After the reset, you’ll need to reinstall the software you need, which gives you the chance to only install what’s necessary and keep your system clean.

Final Thoughts

A factory reset is a powerful tool that can help resolve stubborn performance issues and give your PC Windows 10 a fresh start. However, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before proceeding. If your system is still struggling after trying all other methods, a factory reset may be the most effective way to restore it to optimal condition. Just be sure to back up your data and be prepared for the time it takes to set up your PC again.

Conclusion

Cleaning your PC Windows 10 is essential for maintaining optimal performance, security, and longevity. By following the steps outlined in this guide—uninstalling unnecessary programs, using Disk Cleanup, managing startup programs, clearing your browser cache, updating Windows and drivers, defragmenting your hard drive, removing temporary files, scanning for malware, organizing your files, and, if necessary, performing a system reset—you can keep your PC running smoothly and efficiently.

Remember that regular maintenance is key. Make it a habit to clean up your PC Windows 10 on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to perform at its best. Whether you’re freeing up space, improving security, or just keeping things organized, taking the time to clean your PC Windows 10 will pay off in the long run with a faster, more reliable system.

You can also check out our How to Clean Your PC Hardware article.