How to Specify when to Run Storage Sense in Windows 10


Starting with Windows 10 build 15014, Microsoft has added a new Automatically free up space with Storage Sense option in Storage Settings to automatically get rid of the files you don’t need to save you an extra step when low on disk space. Currently this is only supported for unused temporary files, files in your recycle bin over 30 days, and files in your Downloads folder that haven't changed for over 30 days.

Starting with Windows 10 build 17720, Storage Sense can now run when your device is low on storage space by default. Once activated, Storage Sense will intelligently run whenever your device runs low on storage space and clear temporary files that your device and applications no longer need.Storage Sense looks for and will remove the following types of files:
  • Temporary setup files
  • Old indexed content
  • System cache files
  • Internet cache files
  • Device Driver packages
  • System downloaded program files
  • Dated system log files
  • System error memory dump files
  • System error minidump files
  • Temporary system files
  • Dated Windows update temporary files
  • …and more.

Starting with at least Windows 10 build 18282, you can now configure a group policy to specify to run Storage Sense (if turned on or enabled) Every day, Every week, Every month, or During low free disk space for all users.

This tutorial will show you how to specify when to run Storage Sense for all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to specify when to run Storage Sense.


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Specify when to Run Storage Sense in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Specify when to Run Storage Sense using a REG file


EXAMPLE: Run Storage Sense specified by policy
Specify when to Run Storage Sense in Windows 10-run_storage_sense_cadence.png






OPTION ONE

Specify when to Run Storage Sense in Local Group Policy Editor


The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. Navigate to the key below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Storage Sense

Specify when to Run Storage Sense in Windows 10-storage_sense_cadence_gpedit-1.jpg

3. In the right pane of Storage Sense in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configure Storage Sense cadence policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (specify) or step 6 (default) below for what you would like to do.


 5. To Specify when to Run Storage Sense

A) Select (dot) Enabled, select Every day, Every week, Every month, or During low free disk space in the Run Storage sense drop down list for what you want, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)


 6. Default User Choice for when to Run Storage Sense

A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Not Configured is the default setting.

This will allow users to be able to select when to "Run Storage Sense" for their accounts.


Specify when to Run Storage Sense in Windows 10-storage_sense_cadence_gpedit-2.png

7. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.






OPTION TWO

Specify when to Run Storage Sense using a REG file



The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\StorageSense

ConfigStorageSenseGlobalCadence DWORD

(delete) = Default
0 = During low free disk space
1 = Every day
1e (hex) = Every month
7 = Every week



1. Do step 2 (During low free disk space), step 3 (Every day), step 4 (Every week), step 5 (Every month), or step 6 (default) below for what you want to do.


 2. To Specify to Run Storage Sense During low free disk space

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.

Specify_run_Storage_Sense_During_low_free_disk_space_for_all_users.reg

Download


 3. To Specify to Run Storage Sense Every Day

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.

Specify_run_Storage_Sense_Every_day_for_all_users.reg

Download


 4. To Specify to Run Storage Sense Every Week

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.

Specify_run_Storage_Sense_Every_week_for_all_users.reg

Download


 5. To Specify to Run Storage Sense Every Month

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.

Specify_run_Storage_Sense_Every_month_for_all_users.reg

Download


 6. Default User Choice for when to Run Storage Sense

This will allow users to be able to select when to "Run Storage Sense" for their accounts.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.

Default_user_choice_Storage_Sense_cadence.reg

Download

7. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

8. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

9. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

10. If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn