Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to resolve Windows installation issues with disk cleanup:

Problem: Disk Cleanup Error Messages

If you’re experiencing an error message while running Disk Cleanup, it could be due to various reasons such as:

• Insufficient free space on the hard drive

• Corrupted system files or registry entries

• Disk space issues

• System crashes

• Old operating system updates

Solution:

• Run Disk Cleanup:

Open the Command Prompt (Press Win + R, type cmd and press Enter) or right-click the Start button, select “Command Prompt” or “PowerShell”, then type Disk Cleanup and press Enter.

• Check if disk space is sufficient: If you receive an error message that says “The system cannot find the file…”, it means the Disk Cleanup process can’t locate any free space on your hard drive.

Solve these issues:

• Check if there’s enough free space by running chkdsk C: or chkdsk /f (replace C: with your actual drive letter).

+ If the error message says “The disk check is complete and no errors were found”, then you’re good to go. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

• Delete unnecessary files: Remove any large or unused files that you don’t need:

1. Open File Explorer (Press Win + E) and navigate to your hard drive.

2. Look for large files in the “Temporary Files” folder.

3. Select all the files and right-click, then select “Delete”.

• Empty Recycle Bin: Empty the Recycle Bin by clicking on “Empty Recycle Bin” button (in Windows 10) or selecting “Empty Recycle Bin” option from the Start menu.

Other steps:

• Check for malware: Run a full system scan using an anti-virus software to ensure you have no malware infections.

• Run System File Checker (SFC):

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

• If the SFC tool completes successfully, it will overwrite any corrupted system files. However, be careful when running this command because it may delete files you need for future reference.

• Reinstall Windows: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, consider reinstalling Windows to start fresh.

Prevention:

• Regularly run Disk Cleanup to keep your hard drive clean and free up space.

• Defragment your hard drive (if necessary) by clicking on “Device Manager” > “Storage” tab, then “Optimize Drives”.

• Update your operating system regularly to ensure you have the latest security patches.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve Windows installation issues with disk cleanup. If the problem persists, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician.