Computer Tricks and Secrets

Short answer: paid "PC cleaner" suites are almost never worth it, because Windows already includes free tools that do the same jobs, and the scary "problems found" numbers are marketing designed to sell a subscription. I keep several machines fast using only free tools. Here is exactly what each one does and the order I run them. The free toolkit, and what each part actually does Storage Sense (automatic cleanup) Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense. Turn it on and Windows automatically deletes temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin on a schedule. This is the exact "automatic cleaning" feature paid tools charge for, built in and free. Disk Cleanup (deep manual pass) Search "Disk Cleanup", run it, then click "Clean up system files" to also clear old Windows Update files and previous installations, which can free many gigabytes after a big update. Task Manager Startup tab (the real speed fix) Ctrl + Shift + ...