What is Storage Sense?

Storage Sense is a built-in feature in Windows 11 that automatically frees up space on your hard drive by deleting unnecessary files. It can remove temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and clean up other system files that are no longer needed. This helps keep your system running smoothly and ensures you have enough space for important files and applications.

Key Features of Storage Sense

  1. Automatic Cleanup
    Storage Sense can be configured to run automatically at regular intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, or during low disk space) to clean up files without manual intervention.
  2. Temporary Files Removal
    It deletes temporary files created by apps and the system, which can accumulate over time and take up significant space.
  3. Recycle Bin Management
    You can set Storage Sense to automatically empty the Recycle Bin after files have been there for a specified period (e.g., 1 day, 14 days, 30 days, or 60 days).
  4. Downloads Folder Cleanup
    It can also delete files in the Downloads folder that haven’t been opened for a certain period, helping to keep this folder from becoming cluttered.
  5. Cloud Content Management
    Storage Sense can manage locally available cloud content, removing files that haven’t been used recently but are still available in the cloud.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Storage Sense with Intune

Create a Configuration Policy

  • Go to Devices > by Platform > Windows > Manage Devices > Configuration.
  • Click on Create > New Policy.
  • Select Platform as Windows 10 and later.
  • Choose Profile type as Settings catalog and click Create.
    Storage Sense

Configure Storage Sense Settings

  • Name your profile (e.g., “Enable Storage Sense”) and click Next.
  • Under Configuration settings, click Add settings.
  • Search for Storage Sense and select it.
  • Configure the following settings:
    • Allow Storage Sense: Enabled
    • Configure Storage Sense cadence: Choose your preferred frequency (e.g., Every day, Every week, Every month, or During low free disk space).
    • Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: 30 days (or your preferred duration).
    • Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven’t been opened for more than: 30 days (or your preferred duration).

Storage Sense

Assign the Profile

  • Assign the profile to the groups containing the devices you want to target.
  • Click Next and then Create to deploy the profile.

Storage Sense

Additional Tips

Monitor Deployment

  • Check the deployment status in the Intune admin center to ensure the profile is applied successfully.

Verify Settings on Devices

  • On the target devices, go to Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense to verify that the settings are applied correctly.

Summary

Storage Sense is a valuable tool for maintaining the health and performance of your Windows devices. Its integration with Microsoft Intune provides an automated and scalable solution for managing storage across individual or organizational environments. By enabling and configuring Storage Sense, you can ensure optimal disk usage, reduced clutter, and improved system performance.

 

Paul Cobben