Guides / Free up space
Deep Cleanup
Frees the large amounts of space that ordinary cleanup cannot: the Recycle Bin, old Windows update files, and the copy of your previous Windows version.
When to use it
- Your drive is nearly full and the other cleanups were not enough.
- A few weeks after a big Windows upgrade, once everything works.
How to use it
- Open Brightfix and go to Free up space.
- Open Bigger cleanups that cannot be undone.
- Read what each item is and how much space it frees.
- Tick only what you are sure about, then answer the second question.
What it changes
Empties the Recycle Bin, removes superseded Windows update files, and removes the saved copy of your previous Windows version.
What it never does
- Never touches your own files outside the Recycle Bin.
- Never runs as part of a one click fix.
Undo
None of this can be undone. Removing the previous Windows version means you can no longer go back to it. That is why each item is explained and asked about twice.
Advanced details
- Old update files are removed with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup, Microsoft's own method.
- High risk: it always needs the second confirmation.
Every action is logged with the time, the command, the result and the exit code.