What Is Windows Disk Cleanup?
This tool can first search and analyze the hard drive for the files that are no longer used.
When you see these files in Disk Cleanup, you may ask:should I delete Windows setup files?
Should I delete previous Windows installations?
Should I delete Windows ESD installation files?
All these questions can be summed up into one question: what is safe to delete in Disk Cleanup?
Disk Cleanup will show you a number of different file categories after scanning the selected computer hard drive.
However, not all the file categories will be displayed in Disk Cleanup.
You may dont know what these files are used for and what is safe to delete in Disk Cleanup.
We hope you’ve got the option to find what you want after reading this article.
This post introduces some Windows built-in cleanup tools to help free up disk space on your Windows computer.
It isWindows ESD installation files.
Usually, the Windows ESD installation files take up a few gigabytes of disk space on your rig.
You may think that deleting these files will release a lot of free space for new data.
But, we strongly disagree with this idea.
Due to the particularity, deleting these files will cause computer problems.
The Windows ESD installation files are related to the feature of Reset this PC.
They enable you to restore your setup to factory controls.
If you delete them, Reset this PC will not work normally.
If you want to factory reset your rig, you should probably use a Windows installation medium instead.
So, just keep the Windows ESD installation files on your setup.
It enables you to uninstall any Windows versions.
Windows Upgrade Log Files
The Windows Upgrade log files are created by the Windows upgrade process.
They can help you solve the upgrade-related problems.
If you dont have such issues, it’s possible for you to just delete them.
System Error Memory Dump Files
A well-known stop error is theBlue Screen of Death(BSOD).
These error reports can help you analyze and fix the program issues.
These error reports have already been sent to Microsoft.
Deleting them will not influence your box.
But, of course, you will not see these reports after deletion.
Delete them or not, you should make a decision by yourself.
System Queued Windows Error Reporting
This is similar to System archived Windows Error Reporting.
The only distinction is that the error reports are not sent to Microsoft.
you’ve got the option to choose to delete it or not based on your own requirements.
DirectX Shader Cache
DirectX Shader Cache contains the files that are created by the graphics system.
These files can be used to speed up program load time and improve responsiveness.
If you delete them, they will be re-generated as needed.
This feature makes you get the update faster.
But, it will take a lot of space on your system hard drive.
rig Driver Packages
The old versions of the rig drivers are kept in the rig Driver Packages.
When needed, you canroll back a gear driverin gear Manager to solve some issues.
Recycle Bin
This is another way to empty Recycle Bin on your box.
you’ve got the option to delete it if you dont need these files in Recycle Bin.
You candowngrade your Windowswithin 10 days.
10 days later, the previous Windows installations will be automatically deleted to release space.
Temporary Windows Installation Files
The Windows installation and major upgrade process will generate temporary Windows installation files.
you could delete them immediately to release disk space for new data.
Windows Defender
Microsoft doesnt supply much information about this option.
But, it seems that the files in it are not critical for Windows Defender.
They are some temporary files and you’re able to remove them without scruple.
it’s possible for you to delete them without influencing your setup.
Actually, they will be re-downloaded when visiting a web page that needs the files.
With these files, the web surfing app will load the previous opened website faster in the future.
But beyond that, there will be no other influence.
you might directly delete them in Disk Cleanup.
Here, you oughta know that the deletion of temporary internet files can only influence Microsofts browsers.
Some otherWindows web browserslike Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox will maintain the current situation.
Temporary Files
These are the files that havent been modified in over a week.
you could feel free to delete them.
Thumbnails
These are the thumbnail images for videos, pictures, documents.
If you delete them, Windows will re-create them when you access a folder that contains those files again.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a good choice.
It has a trial edition.
you might first use it to see whether it can find the files that need to be restored.
you’ve got the option to press the following button to get this freeware.
- you’ve got the option to see all drives on your setup.
opt for drive you want to rescue files from and click theScanbutton to continue.
After scanning, you will see the scan results.
By default, these files are categorized by path.
you’re free to open each path to find your needed files.
This trial edition doesnt allow you to recover files.
you should probably upgrade to an advanced edition and then use it to perform a final data recovery.
Bottom Line
Should I delete Windows setup files in Disk Cleanup?
Should I delete previous Windows installations?
We believe that you will know what is safe to delete in Disk Cleanup after reading this article.
