Windows-Cleaner

crafted for Windows 11+

A lightweight, transparent PowerShell alternative to bloated system optimization software. Designed for system administrators and power users who prefer clean code over commercial "tune-up" utilities.

Overview

This script automates deep system maintenance using native Windows APIs and binaries. It provides real-time, per-category space tracking so you can see exactly where the junk was hiding — not just a single number at the end.

Tools Replaced

By using this script, you eliminate the need for third-party software such as:

• CCleaner / BleachBit: Handles temporary files, caches, and system junk.
• Wise Disk Cleaner: Automates Windows Update cleanup and storage optimization.
• Network Reset Utilities: Replaces manual flushing of DNS and resetting of the network stack.
• Manual System Maintenance: Integrates SFC and DISM repair cycles into a single workflow.

Features

• Per-Category Space Tracking: Freed megabytes are measured and reported for every individual cleanup step, not just a total at the end.
• System Repair: Automates sfc /scannow and DISM RestoreHealth for OS integrity checks.
• Advanced Cache Removal: Clears Windows Update Distribution, Prefetch, Thumbnail, and IE/Edge Legacy caches.
• Network Optimization: Flushes DNS and resets Winsock/TCP stacks.
• Structured Output: Color-coded console output — green for freed space, gray for skipped steps.

Usage

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator (Win + X → Terminal/PowerShell as Administrator).
2. Run the script: .\windows_cleaner.ps1
3. Restart your computer to finalize network and system repairs.

Note — cleanmgr: The cleanmgr /sagerun:1 step requires a one-time manual configuration. Run cleanmgr /sageset:1 first to select which categories Disk Cleanup should handle. Without this, the step will silently do nothing.

Warning

FOR ADVANCED USERS ONLY. This script performs aggressive system operations:

• DISM RestoreHealth: This is the slowest step and can take 10–30 minutes with no visible progress (output is suppressed). The process is working as long as DISM.exe and Dismhost.exe appear in Task Manager — low CPU and RAM usage is completely normal. Do not cancel it. If you don't need system repair, comment out the relevant lines:

  # DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth | Out-Null
  # sfc /scannow | Out-Null

• Event Logs: Clears all logs — may hinder troubleshooting of recent system errors.
• Network Reset: Drops active connections immediately; reboot required afterward.
• Update Rollbacks: Cleaning SoftwareDistribution may prevent uninstallation of recently applied Windows Updates.
• ResetBase: The /ResetBase flag is intentionally commented out. It permanently removes all Update rollback points — only uncomment if you know what you're doing.

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Changelog

v2.0

(now public for all)

• Per-category space tracking via Run-Step helper function — each cleanup stage now reports freed MB individually.
• Deprecated API replaced: Get-EventLog (removed in PS 7+) replaced with Get-WinEvent + EventLogSession.GlobalSession.ClearLog().
• DISM/SFC excluded from space tracking — runtime too long for a meaningful before/after delta; reported separately.
• DISM warning added — clarifies that near-zero CPU/RAM during RestoreHealth is normal; process downloads repair files from Microsoft servers.
• /ResetBase commented out by default — was previously active, now opt-in with explicit warning.
• netsh commands split to separate lines — avoids edge-case failures when chained with semicolons in certain PS versions.
• #Requires -RunAsAdministrator added — script exits immediately with a clear error if not run as Admin.
• Translated to English for community release.
• Structured, color-coded console output (green / gray / yellow sections).

v1.0

(was Privat)

• Initial release.
• Single total space delta (before/after entire script).
• Combined PowerShell cmdlets and CMD binaries in one block.
• German language.

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Developed by Volkan — No Ads. No Telemetry. No Bullshit.

Readme.md fixed & translated with help of AI