Windows 8.1: Clean up with disk cleanup

Disk cleanup is a useful tool on Windows 8.1 that helps you tidy up your hard drive and free up a lot of space. We explain how this works in this practical tip.

Start disk cleanup in Windows 8.1

1. Select the Windows logo with a left click at the bottom left.
2. In the context menu click on "Disk management".
3. A new window is opening up. Right-click to select the drive on which Windows 8.1 is located.
4. Click on "Properties" in the context menu.
5. By clicking the "Clean" button under the "General" tab, Windows calculates how much storage space can be released on your system.
6. Check the options to be cleaned by Windows. You usually get a lot of space by emptying the "Temporary Files", the Recycle Bin, and all of the error reporting files.
7. As soon as you click "OK", Windows will clean up your hard drive and free up the used space.

Tip: You can also start Windows 8.1 directly on the desktop and thus skip the tile start screen.