Windows 11 Disk Cleanup Missing? How to Get It Back?

Disk Cleanup Missing on Windows 11

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows tool designed to free up space on hard drives or SSDs by removing unnecessary files. However, many Windows 11 users report that the Disk Cleanup option is missing or the button suddenly disappears from its usual locations. Why Does This Happen? This issue can happen for several reasons, including:

• Recent system updates that change how features or settings work.
• Corrupted system files that stop built-in tools from working.
• Unintended changes in system settings or user profiles.
• Problems with missing shortcuts.

4 Ways to Fix Disk Cleanup Missing on Windows 11

When the Disk Cleanup button is missing, it limits your ability to quickly and easily free up disk space. But don't worry! Here are several reliable ways to fix this issue. Select the one that best suits your needs.

Method 1: Search for Disk Cleanup

Sometimes the tool isn’t gone but just hard to find. If you see no Disk Cleanup option in disk properties, consider accessing it using the Windows search function. This method helps you quickly locate and launch Disk Cleanup without needing to navigate through menus. 

Step 1: Click on the Start menu or press Windows + S.

Step 2: Type Disk Cleanup in the search box.

Step 3: Select the Disk Cleanup app from the results.

Method 2: Run Disk Cleanup via CMD

If the app doesn’t show up in search results, it may be disabled or corrupted. You can use the Command Prompt to run it instead. This method allows you to access Disk Cleanup quickly using a simple command, even when shortcuts or buttons don’t appear. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2: Type %windir%system32cleanmgr.exe and press Enter.

Step 3: The Disk Cleanup window will open, and you can select the drive to clean up.

Method 3: Check and Repair System Files

If you get an error or nothing happens after running the commands, Disk Cleanup might be missing because of damaged system files. Follow these steps to run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair these files.

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The tool will automatically scan and repair corrupted system files.

Step 3: Wait for the process to complete. Once finished, restart your PC and check if the Disk Cleanup button is back.

Method 4: Modify the Registry Settings

Sometimes, Disk Cleanup is missing on your Windows 11 PC due to corrupted registry entries. You can try modifying the registry to restore the Disk Cleanup tool.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2: Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 3: Go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer

Step 4: Right-click MyComputer to choose New > Key and name it cleanuppath.

Step 5: In the right pane, double-click the (Default) value, and type the following value: 

%SystemRoot%\System32\cleanmgr.exe /D %c (replace D with the actual drive letter you want to scan)

Step 6: Click OK and exit the Registry Editor.

An Alternative Way to Clean Up Disks

If you still don’t see the Disk Cleanup option or want a more flexible cleanup solution, consider using third-party software like AOMEI Partition Assistant. This professional tool offers a range of powerful disk cleaning features beyond the basic Windows Disk Cleanup. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, you can easily clean up disk space, optimize disk partitions, and check disk health. It’s an excellent alternative when Disk Cleanup is missing or not working properly.

Why Choose AOMEI Partition Assistant?:

Fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, and 7.

Offers a wide range of features to optimize your disk management.

Ensures 100% data security during all operations.

Easy to use with a clean and intuitive interface.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure

Here's how to use AOMEI Partition Assistant to clean up your disk:

➤ Delete Junk Files:

Over time, your PC may accumulate large junk files, such as temporary files, log files, invalid shortcuts, and more. AOMEI Partition Assistant supports cleaning these files with a few clicks.

Step 1: Download and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 2: Click the Free up main tab and select PC Cleaner.

Step 3: In the pop-up window, click Start Scan to scan for junk files.

Step 4: After the scan process is completed, System Junk Files and Registry Junk Files will be listed. Select the files you want to clean, and then click Clean All to clean up them.

➤ Move Programs or Folders to Another Drive

If your drive is still full after removing junk files, try moving installed programs or folders to another drive with sufficient storage.

Step 1: Click the Free up > App Mover.

Step 2: Choose Move Apps or Move Folders as you like. In this step, we choose App Mover.

Step 3: Select the partition you want to move programs from and click Next.

Step 4: In the pop-up window, select the applications you want to move and choose a target location for them. Then click Move.

Step 5: Click OK to start the process. Then your programs or folders will be safely moved to the target location.

Conclusion

If Disk Cleanup is missing on your Windows 11 PC, don’t worry! There are several ways to get it back. For a more reliable and versatile solution, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a great alternative. It not only cleans up your disk but also helps maintain disk health and optimize storage.