How to Clean Junk Files in Windows with Easy System Utility

Junk files can gradually build up as you use Windows, browse the internet, install updates and open different programs. Many of these files are temporary and no longer needed, but they can continue taking up disk space until they are removed.

Easy System Utility includes a Windows junk file cleaner that lets you choose exactly which areas you want to check. You can analyse the selected locations first, review how much data has been found and then decide whether to clean it.

This guide explains how to clean junk files in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using Easy System Utility.

What are Windows junk files?

See also: How to Clean Your PC Automatically When Windows Starts Article

Junk files are usually temporary or cached files created by Windows and installed software.

They are not always harmful, and some cached files can help Windows or a program load more quickly. However, old temporary data, unused logs, crash reports and outdated cache files can build up over time.

Common examples include:

• Windows temporary files
• Thumbnail cache files
• Crash dump files
• Windows log files
• DirectX shader cache
• Delivery Optimisation files
• Recycle Bin contents
• Browser cache files
• Temporary data created by installed programs

Removing unneeded files can free disk space and clear out data that is no longer useful.

Open the Clean section

Start by opening Easy System Utility and selecting Clean from the left-hand menu.

The cleaning area is divided into two main sections:

• Windows, which contains files and caches created by Windows
• Software, which contains temporary data created by supported programs and browsers

You can switch between the two sections using the buttons underneath the cleaning list.

Easy System Utility does not automatically select and remove everything. You choose which locations should be included in the scan.

Choose which Windows junk files to clean

See also: How Automatic Cleaning Works in Easy System Utility PRO Article

Open the Windows section and tick the locations you want Easy System Utility to analyse.

Depending on your version of the program, the available cleaning options may include:

• Clipboard
• Crash Dump Files
• Delivery Optimisation Files
• DirectX Shader Cache
• DNS Cache
• Downloaded Program Files
• Prefetch Files
• Recent Files
• Recycle Bin
• Temporary Files
• Thumbnail Cache
• Windows Cryptnet URL Cache
• Windows Data Usage
• Windows Defender Backup Files
• Windows Error Report Archive
• Windows Log Files
• Custom Locations

You do not have to select every option. Choose the items that are relevant to what you want to clean.

For a basic Windows cleanup, temporary files, thumbnail cache, crash dumps, the Recycle Bin and Windows Error Report files are sensible areas to check first.

Analyse the files before deleting them

Once you have chosen your Windows cleaning options, select Analyze.

Easy System Utility scans the selected locations and calculates how much removable data it has found. The analysis does not delete anything from your computer.

This gives you the opportunity to see whether the selected areas contain files before beginning the cleanup.

The time required depends on:

• The number of locations selected
• The speed of your storage drive
• The amount of temporary data stored
• Whether protected Windows locations are included

Wait for the analysis to finish before closing the program or changing the selected options.

Clean the selected Windows files

See also: How to Save Cleaning Selections in Easy System Utility Article

After the analysis has completed, review the information shown and select Clean when you are ready.

Easy System Utility will begin removing the files found within the selected categories.

Keep the program open while the cleanup is running. Some files may be skipped if they are currently being used by Windows or another program.

Once the cleaning process has finished, Easy System Utility will show the results of the cleanup.

Clean browser and software junk files

Windows itself is not the only source of temporary data. Web browsers, communication apps, game launchers and other programs can also build up cache and history files.

Open the Software section to view the supported applications.

The list may include cleaning options for software such as:

• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Brave
• Discord
• Battle.net
• Blender
• LibreOffice

The available items depend on the program. A browser may have separate options for cache files, login data, session history, visited links or other stored information.

Read each option carefully before selecting it. Removing browser login or session information may sign you out of websites or prevent previously open tabs from being restored.

If you only want to clear cached files, select the cache option without selecting login or session data.

Save your cleaning selections

See also: How to Include a Custom Folder in Easy System Utility Cleaning Article

Once you have chosen the Windows and software locations you regularly want to clean, select Save Selections.

Easy System Utility will remember your choices the next time you open the Clean section.

This makes regular Windows disk cleanup quicker because you do not need to tick every item again.

Saved selections are also used by the automatic cleaning options available with Easy System Utility PRO.

Run Easy System Utility as an administrator

Some junk files are stored inside protected Windows locations.

Easy System Utility may be able to analyse these locations normally but may need administrator permission before it can remove every file.

To restart the program with elevated access:

1. Select Start ESU as administrator from the left-hand menu.
2. Approve the Windows User Account Control prompt.
3. Return to the Clean section.
4. Run the analysis and cleanup again.

Administrator access can help with protected files, but it does not guarantee that every file will be removed. Windows and other programs can keep active files locked while they are in use.

Close open programs before cleaning

Browsers and other applications often keep their cache files open while they are running.

Before starting a software cleanup, close the programs whose data you have selected.

For example, close Google Chrome before cleaning Chrome cache files and close Discord before cleaning Discord data.

This gives Easy System Utility a better chance of removing the selected files successfully.

You may also want to save any open work before running a larger cleanup.

Use the Include option for custom folders

Easy System Utility lets you add your own folders to the cleanup.

This can be useful when a particular program stores disposable files in a folder that is not included in the normal cleaning list.

To add a custom location:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Include Locations.
3. Browse to the folder you want to add.
4. Save the location.
5. Return to the Clean section.
6. Select Custom Locations.
7. Run Analyze before cleaning.

Be careful when adding a custom folder. Easy System Utility does not know whether your personal files are important, so only include locations containing data you are comfortable removing.

Do not include general folders such as Documents, Pictures or Desktop unless you fully understand what will be deleted.

Protect folders with Exclude Locations

You can also exclude folders that you do not want Easy System Utility to process.

Open Settings, select Exclude Locations and add the folder you want to protect.

Exclusions are useful when:

• A program stores important data inside a cache-style folder
• You want to keep files from a particular application
• A custom folder should never be cleaned
• You are troubleshooting why certain files are being selected

Check your exclusions if Easy System Utility appears to skip a folder you expected it to clean.

Shut down the computer after cleaning

The Shutdown after clean option turns off the computer when the cleanup has finished.

This is useful when running a larger cleanup at the end of the day.

Before enabling it:

• Save all open documents
• Close programs you are using
• Make sure no other downloads or installations are running

The computer will shut down after Easy System Utility completes the cleaning process.

What does “rename files before deleting” do?

The Rename files before deleting option changes the name of a selected file before Easy System Utility attempts to remove it.

This additional step may help with certain files that are difficult to delete under their current name.

It will not bypass Windows security or unlock every file. A file that is actively being used by Windows, antivirus software or another running program may still remain.

For most normal cleanups, you can leave this option disabled unless you are having trouble removing particular files.

Why were some junk files not removed?

It is normal for a Windows junk file cleaner to occasionally skip some files.

Common reasons include:

• The file is currently being used
• Easy System Utility is not running as an administrator
• The file is protected by Windows
• Antivirus software is scanning the file
• A browser or program is still open
• The folder has been added to Exclude Locations
• The file was changed or removed after the analysis

Try closing open programs and restarting Easy System Utility as an administrator.

If the files are still locked, restart Windows and run the cleanup again before opening your normal programs.

How often should you clean Windows junk files?

There is no need to clean temporary files every day for most computers.

A manual cleanup every few weeks may be enough, depending on how heavily the PC is used.

You may want to clean more often if you:

• Regularly install and remove software
• Use several web browsers
• Play games that create large shader caches
• Have limited free disk space
• Frequently download large files
• Use programs that generate lots of temporary data

Easy System Utility PRO can automate this process by running your saved cleaning selections daily, weekly or monthly.

You can also configure PRO to clean your saved selections when Windows starts.

Standard Clean or Deep Clean?

The standard Clean section checks known Windows and software locations. It is the best option for regular Windows junk file cleaning.

Deep Clean works differently. It searches a selected drive for file extensions such as .tmp, .log, .dmp, .bak and .old.

Because Deep Clean searches more broadly, its results may include files created by games or other applications that are still useful.

For normal maintenance, begin with the standard Clean section. Use Deep Clean when you want to carry out a wider search and are comfortable reviewing the individual results before removing them.

Can cleaning junk files make Windows faster?

Cleaning temporary files can free storage space and may help when a drive is becoming full.

However, it should not be treated as a guaranteed performance fix. The effect depends on the condition of the computer and how much unnecessary data has built up.

If your PC remains slow after cleaning, you may also want to check:

• Available disk space
• Programs running at startup
• Background applications
• Windows updates
• Drive health
• Memory usage
• Large files and folders

The Finder tools in Easy System Utility can help identify large files, folders and user profiles that may be using more storage than expected.

Keeping Windows clean with Easy System Utility

Easy System Utility gives you control over which Windows junk files are analysed and removed.

For a safe and straightforward cleanup:

1. Select the Windows and software locations you want to check.
2. Close any programs whose cache files are selected.
3. Run Analyze.
4. Review the amount of data found.
5. Select Clean.
6. Save your preferred selections for next time.

The free version allows you to carry out manual Windows disk cleanup whenever required. Easy System Utility PRO adds automatic schedules and startup cleaning, making it easier to keep temporary files under control without running each cleanup manually.