Cleanup Categories
Read the explanation under a category before selecting it. Caches may be rebuilt, while diagnostic and recovery files can have lasting value.
| Category | What to expect after cleanup |
|---|---|
| Temporary files | Removes temporary data in your user profile; files in use may remain. |
| Temporary system files | Includes Windows temporary files and accessible other-user temporary locations; elevation may be needed. |
| Internet cache and browser cache | Cached web data is downloaded again as needed. Close browsers first to reduce locked files. |
| Windows Update cache | Removes downloaded update cache files; Windows may download needed files again. |
| Delivery optimization files | Removes cached delivery data; later transfers can recreate it. |
| Memory dumps | Removes crash dumps that might otherwise help diagnose a system or application failure. |
| Error reports and system error reports | Removes stored Windows Error Reporting data. |
| Thumbnails | Removes thumbnail and icon cache files; Windows rebuilds them. |
| DirectX shader cache | Removes cached shader data; applications rebuild it when needed. |
| Setup log files | Removes installation and servicing logs that might help troubleshoot an installation. |
| Windows search index | Removes index data; rebuilding it takes time and can temporarily affect search. |
| Recycle Bin | Permanently empties the selected drive's Recycle Bin. |
| Previous Windows installation | Removes Windows.old data, potentially losing rollback files and personal files left in the old installation. |
| Temporary Windows installation files | Removes leftover installation staging data. |
| Windows ESD installation files | Removes installation data that may be needed for recovery or reinstallation. |
| Old ChkDsk files | Removes recovered fragments; inspect them first if you are trying to recover lost data. |
Warning symbols and defaults
The search index, previous Windows installation and ESD installation data carry a warning symbol and are not preselected for cleanup. The Recycle Bin is also left unselected, and selecting it asks for confirmation.
SystemCleaner does not include a general Downloads-folder cleanup. Your downloaded documents are not treated as disposable temporary files.