How to Clean Up Restore and Cache Files on Windows

Before You Clean

Restore points and recovery data provide a way back from some system changes. They are not disposable cache, and reducing their storage trades away recovery options.

Review and Clean Manually

1. Confirm the size in System Protection > Configure for the affected drive. Do not delete System Volume Information by hand.

2. Check that you have a separate, current backup of important files.

3. If you choose to change the disk allocation or remove restore points, use Windows’ System Protection controls and read the confirmation.

4. Keep useful restore points while investigating an unresolved fault. Removing them does not fix the cause of that fault.

5. Record the recovery options that remain after any change.

Where Kudu Helps

Kudu can help inspect storage and clean other supported targets; it is not an automatic restore-point pruner. A restore point does not back up all files you select for cleanup. See Recovery Centre for the supported settings it can restore.

Download Kudu Free → · Cleaning reference

References

• Official maintenance documentation
• Kudu cleaner rules