Storage Sense can automatically free up drive space for you by getting rid of items that you don’t need, like temporary files and items in your Recycle Bin. Here’s more info on how it works and how to set it up to meet your needs.
How Storage Sense works
If Storage Sense is turned on with the default settings, it will run when your device is low on disk space and will clean up unnecessary temporary files. Content from the Recycle Bin will be deleted by default after some time, but items in your Downloads folder and OneDrive (or any other cloud provider) will not be touched unless you set up Storage Sense to do so.
Important: Storage Sense works on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to as C:. To free up space on other drives, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives.
Turn on Storage Sense
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Set Storage Sense to On.
Choose your Storage Sense settings
To tell Storage Sense how often to run and what to clean up, follow these instructions.
Note: Any settings you choose will apply only for you. Other users on your device can manage their own settings.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage .
- Select Storage Sense.
- Choose your desired settings, including when to run Storage Sense, how often files are cleaned up, and more.
Choose when to run Storage Sense
- Make sure Storage Sense is turned on.
- Under Run Storage Sense, select how frequently you want Storage Sense to run when you’re online and signed in.
Note: Low free disk space will vary depending on disk size and minimum operational thresholds. You’re in a low disk state when the capacity bar in Start > Settings > System > Storage turns red.
Choose your preferences for deleting temporary files
Under Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: and Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven’t been opened for more than:, choose when files from your Recycle Bin or Downloads folder are deleted.
Manage locally available cloud content
Note: You’ll only see cloud content settings when you’re signed in to your cloud account.
Cloud files can exist locally on the disk or be available online only. To choose the conditions for when inactive files are made online only, under Content will become online-only if not opened for more than: choose your preferred amount of time. Note that starting in Windows 11, version 22H2, the default for OneDrive cloud files is to make files online-only if not opened for more than 30 days.
Important: This setting will not permanently delete any files. Files can be made locally available again if there is free disk space and network connectivity. Any file marked as Always keep on this device is exempted and will not be managed by Storage Sense.
Ref: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-drive-space-with-storage-sense-654f6ada-7bfc-45e5-966b-e24aded96ad5#ID0EBD=Windows_11