Occasionally, Disk Cleanup may encounter issues on your Windows 11/10 device. When this utility fails to open, respond, or eliminate files, or becomes unresponsive, how can you address this frustrating problem? This article provides several straightforward solutions, along with an alternative method for cleaning your PC – MiniTool System Booster.

Why Disk Cleanup Fails to Work

Disk Cleanup, a built-in Windows utility designed to help you remove unnecessary files such as previous Windows installations, Recycle Bin contents, temporary files, internet cache, thumbnails, and more, is intended to free up valuable storage space for troubleshooting or maintaining your system.

Nonetheless, users occasionally face challenges where Disk Cleanup does not function correctly. Examples include being unable to launch the tool, Disk Cleanup failing to respond or delete files, or getting stuck during processes like Windows Update Cleanup.

Related Post: Top 7 Solutions to Fix Disk Cleanup Stuck on Windows Update Cleanup

What Should You Do If Disk Cleanup Malfunctions?

Continue reading to discover practical solutions that can restore functionality to Disk Cleanup.

Use MiniTool System Booster as an Alternative to Disk Cleanup

When Disk Cleanup ceases to function, you can opt for an alternative solution to clear unwanted files from your computer. MiniTool System Booster is a versatile tool offering features such as junk file removal, app uninstallation, managing startup items, and more to enhance your system’s performance.

For clearing junk files from your computer, MiniTool System Booster can detect and remove over 50 types of hidden clutter across categories like the internet, Windows settings, the registry, installed applications, RAM, and more.

As an effective replacement for Disk Cleanup, MiniTool System Booster is free (with a 15-day trial) and highly capable. Download and install it today to ensure your computer remains free of unnecessary files without worrying about Disk Cleanup issues.

Learn how to use MiniTool System Booster to clean your Windows 11/10 PC in the event Disk Cleanup is unavailable:

Step 1: Launch MiniTool System Booster and navigate to its Performance section.

Step 2: Select Deepclean from the menu and click START CLEAN to initiate a full system scan.

Step 3: The utility will begin seven cleanup tasks, guiding you step-by-step through eliminating unwanted debris such as internet junk, browsing data, system files, broken shortcuts, registry entries, and more.

For further details on using the Deepclean feature, consult our previous post – How to Clean up PC to Free up Space? Run MiniTool System Booster.

Solution 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

In some cases, problems with recent Windows updates might cause Disk Cleanup to malfunction. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter can help resolve this issue.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Windows Settings by pressing Win I.

Step 2: In Windows 10, go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters. Locate Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.

In Windows 11, navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Windows Update and select Run.

Related Post: Full Guide: How to Fix Windows Update Troubleshooter Not Working

Solution 2: Delete Temporary Files

Corrupted temporary files can prevent Disk Cleanup from functioning correctly. To fix this, manually delete temporary files through File Explorer.

Step 1: Press Win R, type %temp%, and click OK to open the Temp folder.

Step 2: Use Ctrl A to select all files and delete them.

Related Post: How to Delete/Clean Temporary Files in Windows 11? (5 Ways)

Solution 3: Perform an SFC Scan

Damaged system files can also lead to Disk Cleanup failures. Conducting an SFC scan can repair corrupted system files.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges by searching for cmd and selecting Run as administrator.

Step 2: Enter the command sfc /scannow in the CMD window and press Enter to start the scan.

After completing the scan, consider running the DISM tool to repair a corrupted Windows image. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth into the CMD window and press Enter.

Solution 4: Run Disk Cleanup with Administrative Rights

Lack of administrative permissions can sometimes hinder Disk Cleanup from functioning properly. Ensure Disk Cleanup has sufficient rights to access necessary resources by running it as an administrator. Search for Disk Cleanup, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator.

Additionally, confirm you are logged in as an administrator. You may need to sign out and log back in using an administrator account or convert your current standard user account into an administrator account – go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, select the account, click Change account type, and choose Administrator.

If you're using a work computer, contact your administrator to obtain the required permissions.

Conclusion

When Windows 10/Windows 11 Disk Cleanup isn't working, what steps can you take? By following the four provided solutions, you can attempt to restore Disk Cleanup functionality. Furthermore, to effectively manage and remove junk files, we strongly suggest using MiniTool System Booster, a reliable and professional PC cleaner. It helps optimize your system to its highest potential.

Remember to keep your systems clean and efficient with these tools and methods!

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