Wise Disk Cleaner is a free Windows utility from WiseCleaner. It removes junk files, clears usage traces and defragments drives to recover space, mostly on the system drive. It is freeware that is free to use and to update. It splits its work into four modules: a common cleaner, an advanced file search, a system slimming option and a disk defragmenter.
Scanning the system drive for junk
The Common Cleaner examines the Windows drive for files the system and installed programs leave behind. These include logs, the thumbnail cache, downloaded Windows Update files, temporary files from third-party applications and leftovers from uninstalled software. A separate group covers browser data such as cache, history, cookies, saved passwords and form entries, along with lists of recently opened files and Quick Access records.
Not every category is ticked at the start. WiseCleaner advises against clearing saved passwords, form history and cookies unless it is necessary. Folders pinned to Quick Access are also left alone by default. Once a scan finishes, the results list what Wise Disk Cleaner found in each category. Users can untick items or mark them with “Ignore this item” to place them on an exclusion list. Items stay on that list until users remove them.
Searching drives by file type
The Advanced Cleaner works differently. Instead of fixed locations, it searches the selected local drives for files matching extension patterns such as *.tmp, *.chk, *.gid and *.dmp. A set of default types is active. Users can switch on more types and add their own patterns. Each result carries an icon showing whether Wise Disk Cleaner treats it as safe to delete, as a file that needs the user’s judgment, or as a match for a user-added rule. Results can be sorted by location, name, size, path, access time or type.
Removing optional Windows components
System Slimming targets parts of Windows rather than junk: installation files kept after updates, the Windows Installer baseline cache, input method editors for Asian languages, unused wallpaper images, sample media and help files. Each choice has a consequence. Removing a Japanese IME, for example, ends the ability to type Japanese. Deleting the default wallpaper is unsafe if it is in use. After users remove help, sample or IME files, the SFC /scannow check reports incomplete system files. The program creates a restore point the first time this module runs.
Defragmentation and SSD handling
The defragmenter offers four modes. Analyze reports fragmentation without changing anything. Defragment joins the pieces of fragmented files and skips locked ones. Full Optimization also rearranges all files to consolidate free space. Smart Optimize detects each drive’s type and applies defragmentation to hard disks or TRIM to SSDs. SSD partitions start unticked, and the program warns against running a standard defragment on them. A follow-up action can shut down, sleep, hibernate or sign out the PC when the job ends.
Cleaning without opening the program
AutoClean runs the most recent cleaning selection daily, weekly, monthly, at logon or when the PC is idle. It can include the Advanced Cleaner. A “Clean with 1 click” desktop icon does the same on demand and only shows a result notification. The same silent cleanup is available from the command line.
In Settings, a secure deletion option overwrites files before removing them so they are harder to recover. Users can add exclusions by file, folder, file type or cookie domain. Users can create a portable copy for a USB drive.
