Over time, every SSD collects junk. Leftover files, full storage, and disabled settings quietly drag your PC down. This guide walks you through how to clean SSD drive properly — from removing clutter and formatting unused space to checking the settings that keep it fast for gaming, work, and everything in between.
We will go through digital cleaning (removing junk files and freeing up space), physical cleaning (dust on the outside), and a few settings worth checking. None of it requires technical knowledge and is beginner-friendly.
Why Cleaning Your SSD Matters
SSDs slow down as they fill up. When an SSD is nearly full, it runs out of empty cells to write new data into. Instead of writing to a blank space, it has to first erase old data and then write the new data. That two-step process is much slower than writing to space.
Most SSDs start to slow down noticeably once they are over 80 to 90% full. Keeping your drive below that threshold is the single most effective thing you can do to keep it performing well.
Want to see how your SSD is currently performing? You can test your SSD speed for free here before and after cleaning to see the difference.
Step 1: Check How Full Your SSD Is
Before you clean anything, check where you are starting from.
- Open File Explorer
- Click on “This PC” in the left sidebar
- You will see your drives listed with a bar showing how full each one is
If the bar is blue, you are fine. If it has turned red, your drive is very full, and cleaning it should be a priority.
Aim to keep at least 15 to 20% of your SSD free at all times. So on a 500 GB SSD, try to keep at least 75 to 100 GB free.
Step 2: Run Windows Storage Sense
Windows has a built in tool called Storage Sense that automatically finds and deletes files you no longer need. It is the easiest place to start.
- Press the Windows key and type Storage Settings, then press Enter
- Click Storage Sense
- Click Run Storage Sense now at the bottom
This removes temporary files, old Windows update files, and items that have been sitting in your Recycle Bin. On a drive that has never been cleaned this can free up several gigabytes in minutes.
You can also turn Storage Sense on so it runs automatically. This is worth doing — it means you never have to think about it again.
Step 3: Empty the Recycle Bin
Files you delete do not actually leave your drive until you empty the Recycle Bin. If you deleted a lot of things over the past few months, the bin could be holding on to gigabytes of space.
- Right click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop
- Click Empty Recycle Bin
- Confirm when asked
That is it. Quick and easy.
Step 4: Uninstall Apps You No Longer Use
Old games and unused programs are often the biggest space wasters on an SSD. A single modern game can take up 50 to 100 GB.
- Press the Windows key and type Add or remove programs, then press Enter
- The list shows every app installed on your PC along with its size
- Click on anything you do not use and select Uninstall
Be honest with yourself here. If you have not opened an app in six months, you probably do not need it on your main SSD. You can always reinstall it later.
Step 5: Move Large Files to Another Drive
If you have a second drive in your PC (or an external hard drive), move large files there instead of deleting them. This includes things like:
- Old photos and videos you want to keep but rarely look at
- Downloaded files sitting in your Downloads folder
- Large project files you have finished working on
- Games you have completed and might replay someday
Your SSD is best used for Windows itself, your active apps, and the games you are currently playing. Everything else can live on a larger, slower drive without you noticing.
If your PC only has one drive and you are running out of space, it might be worth checking how many SSD slots your PC has — you may be able to add a second drive for bulk storage.
Step 6: Clear Your Browser Cache
Your web browser stores temporary files every time you visit a website. This is designed to speed up browsing, but over time it can build up to several gigabytes.
In Chrome or Edge:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
- Set the time range to “All time”
- Tick “Cached images and files”
- Click Clear data
This will not log you out of any websites. It just removes the stored temporary files.
Step 7: Check That TRIM Is Enabled
TRIM is a feature built into Windows that quietly maintains your SSD in the background. When you delete a file, TRIM tells the SSD to clear that space properly so it is ready to be written to again quickly. Without TRIM your SSD gradually gets slower over time even if it has plenty of free space.
On almost every modern PC running Windows 10 or 11, TRIM is already enabled by default. But it is worth checking.
- Press the Windows key, type cmd, then right click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator
- Type the following command and press Enter:
fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify
If the result says DisableDeleteNotify = 0 then TRIM is active and your SSD is being maintained automatically. You do not need to do anything else.
If it says DisableDeleteNotify = 1 then TRIM is off. Run this command to turn it back on:
fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0
Step 8: Do Not Defragment Your SSD
This one is about what NOT to do. If you have ever used a hard drive, you may have heard of defragmentation — a process that reorganises files to make the drive faster. You should never run defragmentation on an SSD.
Here is why. SSDs wear out based on how many times each cell is written to. Defragmentation writes a huge amount of data to rearrange files that do not need rearranging. It does not make your SSD faster, but it does wear it out faster.
Windows knows this and will not defragment SSDs when you use the built in Optimise Drives tool. It runs a different process called TRIM optimisation instead, which is exactly what SSDs need. So the built in tool is safe to use — just never use a third party defrag tool on an SSD.
Step 9: Physical Cleaning (Dust and Connections)
If your SSD is an M.2 drive it sits inside your PC on the motherboard. If it is a 2.5 inch drive it connects via a cable. Either way, dust can build up around it over time.
To physically clean your SSD:
- Turn your PC off completely and unplug it from the wall
- Open the side panel of your PC case
- Use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust near the SSD and around the connectors
- Do not touch the gold connectors on the drive itself
- If the SSD is a 2.5 inch drive, check that the cable connecting it to the motherboard is seated firmly
Dust does not directly slow down an SSD the way it affects a CPU cooler. But heavy dust build-up can trap heat inside your case, and heat is bad for every component including your SSD.
I have a full guide on how to clean dust from your PC the way I do at my gaming café, for long life and smooth performance of a PC.
How Often Should You Clean Your SSD?
| Task | How Often |
|---|---|
| Check free space | Once a month |
| Empty Recycle Bin | Once a month |
| Run Storage Sense | Once every 3 months (or set it to automatic) |
| Clear browser cache | Once every 3 months |
| Uninstall unused apps | Once every 6 months |
| Physical dust clean | Once a year |
There is no strict schedule, but here is a sensible routine that works for most people.
If you turn on Storage Sense to run automatically, most of this happens without you doing anything. The main habit to build is just checking your free space occasionally and not letting the drive get too full.
After Cleaning: Check Your Speed
Once you have gone through these steps, it is worth testing your SSD to see if cleaning made a difference. Our free tool tests your read and write speeds right in the browser with no download needed.
It also checks your drive health and tells you what type of storage you have. If your speeds still look low after cleaning, the tool will flag what the likely cause is.
Test your SSD speed for free here
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a disk cleaner app on my SSD?
The built in Windows tools (Storage Sense, Disk Cleanup) are all you need and they are safe. Many third party disk cleaner apps work fine too, but stick to well known ones like CCleaner. Avoid anything that promises to “optimise” or “defrag” your SSD specifically — that is not something SSDs need.
Will cleaning my SSD make it faster?
If your drive was nearly full, yes — freeing up space can make a noticeable difference. If it was already at a healthy fill level, you probably will not notice a speed change, but the drive will age better long term.
How do I know if my SSD is slowing down?
The easiest way is to run a speed test and compare it against what your drive is rated for. You can test your SSD speed here for free. If the speeds are much lower than expected, our guide on how SSD speed testing works explains what the likely causes are.
Should I upgrade from a hard drive to an SSD?
If your PC still has a spinning hard drive, upgrading to an SSD will make the single biggest difference to how your PC feels. Before buying, check how many SSD slots your PC has so you know what type of drive to get.
Have a question about cleaning your SSD? Drop it in the comments and we will help you out.
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