How to Use Deep Clean in Easy System Utility

The standard Clean section in Easy System Utility checks known Windows and software locations for temporary files, cache data and other items that can build up over time.

Deep Clean works differently. Instead of checking a fixed list of locations, it searches through a selected drive for files matching particular file extensions. This can help you find temporary files, logs, crash dumps, backups and other files stored outside the usual Windows cleanup folders.

Because Deep Clean searches more widely, you should always review its results before removing anything. A file matching one of the selected extensions is not automatically unwanted, and some programs or games may still need it.

This guide explains how to run a Deep Clean scan, understand the results and safely select files for removal.

What does Deep Clean do?

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Deep Clean searches a selected drive for file types commonly associated with temporary data, logs, crash reports and old backups.

The available file types include:

• .tmp
• .temp
• .log
• .dmp
• .mdmp
• .chk
• .wer
• .bak
• .old

Once the scan has finished, Easy System Utility displays the matching files in a results table.

You can then review each file path, size and type before deciding which items should be cleaned.

Unlike the standard Windows junk file cleaner, Deep Clean does not assume that every result should be removed. You remain in control of which files are selected.

When should you use Deep Clean?

Deep Clean is useful when the normal cleaner has already been run but you want to check whether other temporary or old files are stored elsewhere on the drive.

You may want to use it when:

• You are trying to free additional disk space
• A program has left old log or crash files behind
• You want to find dump files created after a crash
• Backup or old files have accumulated
• Temporary files are stored outside the normal Windows folders
• You want to inspect a drive for particular file extensions

For regular PC maintenance, it is usually best to begin with the standard Clean section. Deep Clean is better suited to a more detailed scan where you are prepared to review individual files.

Open the Deep Clean tool

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

To begin:

1. Open Easy System Utility.
2. Select Deep Clean from the left-hand menu.
3. Choose the drive you want to scan.
4. Select the file types you want Easy System Utility to find.

You do not need to select every file type.

For a basic search for temporary files, you could begin with .tmp and .temp.

If you are looking for crash information, you may also select .dmp, .mdmp and .wer.

Choose which file types to scan

Each file extension represents a different general type of file.

.tmp and .temp

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These are commonly used for temporary files.

They may be created while installing software, processing information or running a program. Many can be removed after the task has finished, but some may still be in use.

.log

Log files contain records created by Windows, programs, games and services.

Older logs may no longer be useful, but recent logs can help diagnose a problem. Check the program and folder before deleting a log file.

.dmp and .mdmp

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

Dump and mini dump files are often created when Windows or a program crashes.

They can be useful when investigating the cause of a crash. If the problem has been resolved and you no longer need the diagnostic information, older dump files may be suitable for removal.

.chk

CHK files can be created when Windows repairs a drive or recovers file fragments.

Their contents are not always easy to identify, so check the file location and date before removing them.

.wer

WER files are connected to Windows Error Reporting.

They may contain information about application or system errors. Older reports may no longer be needed once the problem has been resolved.

.bak

BAK files are normally backup copies created by software.

Some are no longer required, but others may be the only available backup of an important file. Never remove a BAK file based on its extension alone.

.old

OLD files are often previous versions of files kept by Windows or another program.

They may have been created during an update, repair or manual replacement. Check what the file belongs to before selecting it.

Start the Deep Clean analysis

After selecting the drive and file types, click Analyze.

Easy System Utility will begin searching the drive for matching files.

The scan can take longer than the standard cleaner because it may need to check a large number of folders.

The total time depends on:

• The size of the selected drive
• The number of files stored on it
• The speed of the drive
• The number of file types selected
• The number of folders Easy System Utility can access
• Whether the drive is an SSD or hard drive

Keep Easy System Utility open while the scan is running.

Does analysing with Deep Clean delete anything?

No. The Analyze button only searches for files and adds the results to the list.

Nothing is removed until you select files and click Clean.

This gives you time to inspect the results and untick anything you want to keep.

Understanding the Deep Clean results

The results table can show information including:

• File Path
• Size
• Type
• Status

The file path is particularly important because it helps you identify which program, game or Windows component may have created the file.

For example, a temporary file inside an old installer folder may no longer be needed, while a BAK file stored inside an active project folder may be important.

Do not judge a file only by its extension.

How to decide whether a file can be removed

Before selecting a result, consider:

• Which folder contains the file?
• Which program appears to have created it?
• When was the file last changed?
• Is the related program still installed?
• Are you currently troubleshooting a crash?
• Could the file be a backup of something important?
• Is the file stored inside a personal project folder?
• Is the file currently being used?

Files stored inside known temporary folders are generally easier to identify than files inside application, game or personal folders.

When you are unsure about a file, leave it unticked.

Freeing a small amount of extra disk space is not worth removing a file you may need later.

Selecting files from the results

After reviewing the list, tick the files you want Easy System Utility to remove.

You can select files individually or use the available options to tick or untick all results.

The Tick All Files option can save time when there are many results, but it should only be used after reviewing the list carefully.

Deep Clean may find files belonging to:

• Installed programs
• Games
• Windows components
• Hardware drivers
• Personal projects
• Software installers
• Backup tools

Selecting everything without checking the paths could remove files that are still useful.

A safer approach is to select clear temporary or outdated files individually.

Cleaning the selected files

When you are satisfied with the selection, click Clean.

Easy System Utility will attempt to remove the ticked files and update their status in the results table.

Keep the program open until the cleaning process has finished.

Some files may not be removed if they are:

• Currently in use
• Protected by Windows
• Locked by another program
• Being scanned by security software
• Stored in a location requiring administrator access
• Changed or removed after the analysis

A skipped file does not necessarily indicate a problem with Easy System Utility.

Run Deep Clean as an administrator

Some folders cannot be fully accessed by a standard Windows application.

To give Easy System Utility additional permission:

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

Administrator permission may allow the scan to access more protected locations and remove files that were previously restricted.

It will not override files that are actively locked by Windows or another program.

Close programs before cleaning

Programs can keep temporary files, logs and backups open while they are running.

Before cleaning Deep Clean results, save your work and close software connected to the selected files.

This is especially important for:

• Games
• Game launchers
• Browsers
• Office software
• Image and video editors
• Development tools
• Installers
• Backup software

Closing the relevant application reduces the chance of a file being skipped and helps prevent the removal of active working data.

Why can Deep Clean find files the standard cleaner does not?

The standard cleaner checks known Windows, browser and application locations supported by Easy System Utility.

Deep Clean searches by file extension across a selected drive.

This means it can find matching files stored in locations that are not part of the standard cleaning list.

For example, a program may create a .log file inside its installation folder rather than a normal temporary folder. Deep Clean can locate that file because it is searching by extension.

The wider search is useful, but it also means the results require more careful review.

Is every result a junk file?

No.

Deep Clean finds files that match the selected extensions. It does not claim that every matching result is junk.

Some examples of files you may want to keep include:

• A recent crash dump needed for troubleshooting
• A backup of an important document
• A log requested by software support
• A recovery file created by an editor
• A game file that uses an unusual extension
• An old version kept in case a software update fails

This is why Easy System Utility presents the results for you to review rather than automatically deleting them all.

Why did Deep Clean find so many log files?

Windows and installed software regularly create log files to record activity, warnings and errors.

Programs may keep logs for:

• Updates
• Crashes
• Network connections
• Installations
• Hardware activity
• Background services
• Error diagnostics

Some logs are small and use very little storage.

Focus on unusually large or clearly outdated files rather than removing every log simply because it appears in the results.

Why are files found again after cleaning?

Windows and installed programs continue creating temporary files and logs as they are used.

A later Deep Clean scan may therefore find new results.

This does not mean the earlier cleanup failed. It usually means new files have been created since the last scan.

Frequently used software may recreate temporary or log files immediately after it is opened again.

What if Deep Clean appears to be taking a long time?

A scan can take longer when:

• The drive contains many files
• A large hard drive is being checked
• Several file types are selected
• The drive is slower or heavily used
• Security software is checking files at the same time
• The scan includes deeply nested folders
• Other programs are reading from the same drive

Allow the scan time to finish before assuming it has stopped working.

Closing unnecessary programs can reduce other disk activity while Easy System Utility scans.

Scanning a smaller drive or selecting fewer file types can also shorten the process.

Should you scan every drive?

You can scan the drive most likely to contain the files you want to find.

The Windows system drive is normally the best place to begin because that is where Windows and many applications store temporary files and logs.

Other drives may contain:

• Installed games
• Project folders
• Backups
• Media collections
• Portable software

Be especially careful when scanning backup or project drives, as .bak, .old, .log and temporary files may still be important.

Deep Clean compared with Custom Locations

Deep Clean and Custom Locations provide two different ways to clean outside the normal Windows locations.

Deep Clean searches an entire selected drive for chosen file extensions.

Custom Locations lets you add a specific folder to the normal cleaning process.

Use Deep Clean when you do not know where matching files are stored.

Use Custom Locations when you already know the exact folder that regularly contains disposable files.

Both tools should be used carefully because they can include files outside the usual supported Windows cleanup areas.

A safe Deep Clean routine

For a careful Deep Clean scan:

1. Save your work and close unnecessary programs.
2. Open Deep Clean.
3. Select the drive you want to scan.
4. Choose only the file types relevant to your search.
5. Click Analyze.
6. Wait for the scan to finish.
7. Review the file path and type of each result.
8. Leave uncertain files unticked.
9. Select only the files you are comfortable removing.
10. Click Clean.
11. Check the status of the selected results.

Deep Clean is a useful addition to the standard Windows disk cleaner because it can locate temporary, log, dump, backup and old files stored in less obvious places.

The key difference is that Deep Clean requires your judgement. Review the results carefully and only remove files when you understand what they are connected to.