What does Disk Cleanup do?

Disk Cleanup is a utility designed to help users free up space on their hard drives by removing unnecessary files. The primary functions of Disk Cleanup include deleting temporary files, which are created by applications during their operation and often remain on the system after the applications have finished using them. This can help improve the overall performance of the system by removing clutter that can slow down file searches and other processes. Additionally, Disk Cleanup empties the Recycle Bin, where deleted items are temporarily stored, further freeing up space.

The other options focus on tasks that are not associated with Disk Cleanup. Installing new software applications involves user intervention and isn’t the purpose of Disk Cleanup. Upgrading the operating system is a more complex process that typically requires downloading major updates or new versions rather than simple file management. Creating backups of user data is a different function altogether, often handled by backup software or system restore points, and is not part of Disk Cleanup’s tasks. Thus, the ability to delete temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin directly aligns with the primary purpose of Disk Cleanup.