Here is how I deep clean my Windows PC

If you extensively use your PC for work, you'll likely notice performance degradation over time. The good news is that it's not the aging hardware, but the digital clutter that's making your PC work hard with tons of startup services hogging memory and storage space.

To remedy this, I prefer to clean install Windows whenever a major upgrade is due. It's a great way to remove old unused apps, clean up junk files and bring over only what I need from the backups. The result is a PC that runs as good as new. However, if a clean install is not an option, I do a manual deep cleanup instead, and this annual ritual keeps my Windows laptop running like new.

When I recently did a deep cleanup of my PC, I freed up over 350GB of storage by cleaning up hidden junk and also removing a huge chunk of duplicate files. However, cleanup involves more than just freeing up space; it also means uninstalling unnecessary apps and minimizing startup services to make your PC feel snappy as it did when you bought it.

Uninstall apps

Get rid of abandoned software first

My work requires me to install and test more than a couple of dozen tools every week. While I tend to remove what's not useful right after testing, I still end up with tons of apps I've never looked at again that are hoarding storage space and cluttering my Start menu. The annoying part is that Windows Settings takes its own sweet time to open the Installed Apps tab when you want to uninstall something.

Even if you mostly have a predictable app stack, you likely have a few abandoned apps—a productivity tool or note app that you replaced with a better alternative but never removed. In my case, I had Office 365 taking up tons of space even though I haven't used it in a long time.

Start by identifying the apps you want to delete. If you only have a few to remove, uninstall them from Settings > Apps > Installed Apps. For bulk uninstalls, use an app remover like Revo Uninstaller. The free version lets you uninstall multiple apps at once and removes leftover files and registry entries that standard uninstallers miss.

Tidy up startup services

Too many apps racing to launch slow everything down

Whenever my PC feels slow to start, I know the startup apps are racing each other to launch while hogging memory and stressing the CPU. Startup apps are programs Windows automatically runs when you log in. The problem is that almost every program sneakily adds itself to your startup queue during installation.

While some startups are important—I have PowerToys utilities like Awake and FancyZones, plus apps like Ditto, ShareX, and Slack set to start because I use them frequently—most aren't necessary. Gaming clients, chat apps, and rarely used tools don't need to load at boot.

To disable unnecessary startups, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), click the Startup apps tab, and disable anything you don't need running immediately. Look at the Startup impact column to identify the worst offenders.

Some apps are stubborn, though. Even after disabling them in Task Manager, they might reappear. For these, dig into the app's own settings and look for an option like Launch at startup or Run when Windows starts and turn it off.

Free up storage space

End those low storage warnings for good

It's surprisingly easy to fill up your storage, and a yearly cleanup is the perfect time to finally stop those low-storage warnings you've been temporarily fixing by deleting one file at a time.

Windows has built-in tools that can quickly remove files that are safe to delete. Disk Cleanup removes temporary files, system cache, and Windows Update files, and Storage Sense automates some of this by periodically deleting files in your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder. You can enable it from Settings > System > Storage.

But these tools focus on safe system areas and miss large personal files buried in nested folders. To find large hidden files, use a display space analyzer utility like WizTree. It scans drives fast by reading the NTFS Master File Table directly, showing you exactly what's eating your storage. The Tree View shows the largest folders while the File View shows the largest files and makes it easy to spot old project files, duplicate videos, or forgotten downloads.

For duplicates, I use Czkawka, an open-source tool that finds duplicate files by comparing content using hashes rather than just filenames. It even detects visually similar photos, even if their resolutions differ.

Install pending updates

Don't let updates pile up

A deep cleanup is also the right time to install pending updates you've been putting off, including Windows updates, GPU driver updates, and software updates for your frequently used apps.

Windows updates include security patches that protect your system from vulnerabilities, bug fixes and new features. Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. If updates have been failing, it might be due to corrupted files in the SoftwareDistribution cache folder, which is easy to fix.

For GPU drivers, visit your manufacturer's website, such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, and download the latest drivers. Outdated GPU drivers cause performance issues in games and productivity apps. While you're at it, check for BIOS and firmware updates for your motherboard and SSD, as these often include stability improvements.

Clean up your dusty hardware

Digital cleanup means nothing if your fans are clogged

Software cleanup only goes so far if your hardware is choking on dust. Dust buildup restricts airflow, causes components to run hotter, and leads to thermal throttling, where your CPU and GPU slow down to prevent overheating.

For desktop PCs, power off and unplug the computer, then move it to a non-carpeted area. Remove the side panel and use short bursts of compressed air to blow dust off components—motherboard, fans, and heatsinks. Avoid continuous spraying as it makes the can very cold. Also, never use a vacuum cleaner inside your PC as it can generate static and damage components.

For laptops, the process is trickier since most aren't designed for easy internal access. You can blow compressed air into the vents to dislodge some dust, but be gentle. If your laptop runs significantly hotter than it used to, consider taking it to a professional or watch a teardown video for your specific model first.

Don't forget peripherals. Wipe down your keyboard and mouse with a microfiber cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. For keyboards, a cleaning gel works better than compressed air, which can push debris deeper between keycaps. For monitors, skip alcohol and use a dry microfiber cloth, because alcohol could damage screen coatings.

A day's worth of cleaning can make your PC last longer

Deep cleaning your PC is more than just about reclaiming storage or speeding up boot times. It's about maintaining your PC so that it works reliably when you need it. I try to do this at least once a year, usually when a major Windows update drops or when things start to slow down.

That said, this won't solve every performance problem. If your PC is genuinely old and struggling with modern workloads, no amount of cleanup will turn it into a speed demon. But for most people dealing with a gradual slowdown, a thorough cleanup can make a noticeable difference, and it costs nothing but a few hours of your time.