Windows Disk Cleanup Script

Problem Overview

Excessive temporary files, leftover system updates, and cluttered Downloads folders can rapidly consume drive capacity, compromise performance, and frustrate end-users. Manual removal of these files is time-consuming and prone to error, making automated cleanup essential for maintaining a healthy Windows environment.

Description

This script scans common Windows temp directories, Windows Update download folders, and each user’s Downloads folder for old or unnecessary items. It removes files that surpass a specified age threshold and then logs every cleaned file along with the total space reclaimed, ensuring full transparency. You can configure a script-based monitor in Level to trigger this cleanup whenever disk space is running low, or you can schedule it as part of a Level automation to keep systems tidy on a regular basis.

Script

<#
This resource is provided as a convenience for Level users. We cannot 
guarantee it will work in all environments. Please test before deploying 
to your production environment. We welcome contributions to our community 
library

Level Library
https://level.io/library/script-windows-disk-cleanup
#>

# Create log file to track deleted files
$logFile = "C:\cleanup_log_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyy-MM-dd_HH-mm').txt"
"Cleanup Started at $(Get-Date)" | Out-File $logFile

# Initialize total space saved
$totalSpaceSaved = 0

function Write-LogAndConsole {
    param($message)
    $message | Out-File $logFile -Append
    Write-Host $message
}

# List of temporary folders to clean
$tempPaths = @(
    "$env:TEMP",
    "$env:SystemRoot\Temp",
    "$env:SystemRoot\Prefetch",
    "$env:SystemRoot\SoftwareDistribution\Download"
)

# Clean each temp location
foreach ($path in $tempPaths) {
    Write-LogAndConsole "`nCleaning $path..."
    Get-ChildItem -Path $path -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | 
        Where-Object { 
            $_.LastAccessTime -lt (Get-Date).AddHours(-1) -and 
            !$_.PSIsContainer 
        } | 
        ForEach-Object {
            try {
                $size = $_.Length / 1MB
                $fileName = $_.Name
                Remove-Item -Path $_.FullName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
                $totalSpaceSaved += $size
                Write-LogAndConsole "Cleaned temp file: $fileName - Freed $([math]::Round($size, 2)) MB"
            }
            catch {
                Write-LogAndConsole "Error cleaning $fileName"
            }
        }
}

# Clean Downloads folders for all users
Write-LogAndConsole "`nCleaning Downloads folders..."
$userProfiles = Get-ChildItem "C:\Users" -Directory | Where-Object { $_.Name -notin @("Public", "Default", "Default User") }

foreach ($profile in $userProfiles) {
    $downloadPath = Join-Path $profile.FullName "Downloads"
    if (Test-Path $downloadPath) {
        Write-LogAndConsole "`nCleaning Downloads folder for $($profile.Name)..."
        
        Get-ChildItem -Path $downloadPath -Recurse -File -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
            Where-Object { $_.LastAccessTime -lt (Get-Date).AddDays(-30) } |
            ForEach-Object {
                try {
                    $size = $_.Length / 1MB
                    $fileName = $_.Name
                    Remove-Item -Path $_.FullName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
                    $totalSpaceSaved += $size
                    Write-LogAndConsole "Cleaned old download: $fileName - Freed $([math]::Round($size, 2)) MB"
                }
                catch {
                    Write-LogAndConsole "Error cleaning $fileName"
                }
            }
    }
}

# Convert MB to GB for final summary
$totalGBSaved = $totalSpaceSaved / 1024
Write-LogAndConsole "`nCleanup completed at $(Get-Date)"
Write-LogAndConsole "Total space saved: $([math]::Round($totalGBSaved, 2)) GB"
Write-LogAndConsole "Log file saved to: $logFile"

Use Cases

• Rapidly reclaim disk space on clients with minimal free space
• Run preventative maintenance for MSP clients at scale
• Clean up Windows endpoints affected by large software updates
• Integrate on-demand execution with Level to address disk issues in real time

Recommendations

• Test the script in a non-production environment first
• Update folder paths if your organization stores data in custom locations
• Consider a script-based monitor in Level to automatically run the script when disk space is below a threshold
• Build a Level automation with a scheduled trigger for routine cleanups
• Review the generated log file to confirm successful deletion

FAQ

• Will this script delete important files in the Downloads folder?
  ‍It targets files older than 30 days, but always verify your organization’s retention policies before automated removals.

• How can I adapt the cleanup criteria?
  ‍You can modify the file age threshold within the script to better align with your specific needs.

• Does it handle locked or in-use files?
  ‍The script skips files actively in use to avoid errors or system instability.

• Where is the log file saved?
  ‍A time-stamped log is created in the C:\ directory, detailing each deleted file and total space saved.

• Should I run it on a schedule or only when disk space is low?
  ‍Both are valid. For routine maintenance, set up a scheduled automation; for reactive cleanup, pair it with a disk-space-based monitor in Level.