System Run Storage Sense Now in Windows 11

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brink
  • Start date Published: Start date Updated Updated:

Storage_Sense_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to manually run Storage Sense on demand in Windows 11.

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.

If Storage Sense is turned on, you can select to automatically run Storage Sense Every day, Every week, Every month, or During low free disk space (default).

You can use Run Storage Sense now to free up drive space on demand.

Reference:


Here's How:

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Storage on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Run_Storage_Sense_now-1.png

3 Click/tap on Storage Sense under Storage management. (see screenshot below)


Run_Storage_Sense_now-2.png

4 Click/tap on the Run Storage Sense now button at the bottom. (see screenshot below)

The Run Storage Sense now button will be grayed out if Storage Sense is not turned on.


Run_Storage_Sense_now-3.png

5 Storage Sense will now start cleaning up files, and report how much disk space it was able to free up when finished. (see screenshots below)

Run_Storage_Sense_now-4.png
Run_Storage_Sense_now-5.png

6 You can now close Settings if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 
Last edited:
I pride myself on keeping my machines clean, lean, and mean. This is the kind of report I like seeing from Storage Sense:

Clipboard_02.jpg
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
I pride myself on keeping my machines clean, lean, and mean. This is the kind of report I like seeing from Storage Sense:

View attachment 90194
I run PLEX. The amount of files that thing creates in the recycle bin, I am talking Gigabyte after Gigabyte, is ridiculous. I must try Storage Sense.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Not sure if this was caused by Storage Sense but IMO removing Windows Update files are a bit too aggressive in SS. I have been using the app from the beginning but today (W11 24H2) I could not run Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth as it was unable to find the DISM Source File (from a previous run). I had to RESET my system to get DISM to work again. No more Windows Update files cleaning for me :confused:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home 24H2 build: 26100.3915
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator PHN16-71-50JG
    CPU
    Intel i5-13500HX 2500 Mhz, 14 cores, 20 l. processors
    Motherboard
    RPL, Compass RTX, V1.18
    Memory
    16 GB DDR5-4800MT/s in Dual Channel mode
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
    Sound Card
    RealTek + Intel Smart Sound and Nvidia HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS 16", AR16:10,
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200x165Hz
    Hard Drives
    SK Hynix 512GB PCIe NVMe Gen4x4 M.2 2280 SSD
    PSU
    Power adapter Delta 230W, 4-cell 90 Wh Li-Ion battery
    Case
    Polycarbonate with a metal panel lid
    Cooling
    2 fans
    Keyboard
    US RGB white keys
    Mouse
    Precision Trackpad
    Internet Speed
    15 Mb/s
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    BIOS: Insyde Software 5.44.1.18 dated: 21/8/2024
    Wi-Fi 6 AX 1650i, Gigabit Ethernet, Network (RJ-45) port
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home 24H2 build 26100.3915
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Vivobook K3502Z S15 15" OLED
    CPU
    Intel 12th Gen. i7 12700H, 14 cores, 2.3 GHz (24M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 6P+8E cores)
    Motherboard
    Alder Lake-H, 1700-4700 MHz clock rate
    Memory
    8GB LPDDR4 on board + 8GB LPDDR4 3200 MHz in Dual Channel.
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe supports up to 4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
    Sound Card
    Harman Kardon - DTS
    Monitor(s) Displays
    OLED 15.6inch 2.8K (2880 x 1620)
    Screen Resolution
    16:9 aspect ratio 0.2ms response time 120Hz refresh rate, 550nits
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 NVMe Gen4 PCIe 4.0 SSD, Micron_2450_MTFDKBA512TFK
    PSU
    90-Watt USB charger (Thunderbolt4)
    Case
    Metal lid, plastic case
    Cooling
    1 fan
    Mouse
    Precision Trackpad
    Keyboard
    With adjustable backlight
    Internet Speed
    ISP provides 15 mb/s WIFI LTE (4G), laptop WIFI 6 adapter.
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    BIOS American Megatrends International, LLC. 10.1.2.312, 13/03/2024. Network adapter: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 160 MHz

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