Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 Cleanup: From Garbage to Deep Optimization

Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 is a popular notebook with balanced specs, but even it eventually begins to “brake” due to the accumulated digital debris. Cleaning up the system on this device has its nuances, from standard Windows 11 tools to branded Xiaomi utilities that are often ignored by users. In this article, we will analyze all the ways from basic cleaning temporary files to deep optimization of storage and registry, including little-known tricks for models with 512 GB and 1 TB SSD.

RedmiBook 8 (RB1860SS, RB1860XS, etc.) features Xiaomi’s pre-installed software that doesn’t always work properly with built-in Windows tools. For example, the Mi Service Framework can block deleting some cache files, and Intel Iris Xe drivers can leave behind dozens of gigabytes of tails after updates, we’ll show you how to clean it up without risking a system break, and we’ll give you a checklist for regular maintenance.

Important: If your laptop runs Windows 10 (not 11), some of the instructions will require adaptation — this is something we will warn you about separately. Also note that models with eMMC memory (such as budget modifications) are cleaned differently than versions with NVMe SSD. All critical differences are highlighted in the method comparison table.

1. Basic cleaning: temporary files and shopping cart

Start with the simplest thing: removing the garbage that the system creates automatically. In RedmiBook 8, this is especially true because of the way MIUI works for PCs (yes, it is on laptops too!): some temporary files remain even after you reboot.

How to clean:

• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Right-click on the desktop icon → “Clean the Recycle Bin.” In models with SSD, this will free up space instantly, on eMMC it can take up to 10 seconds.
• 📂 Temporary Windows Files: Press Win + R, enter %temp% → delete all the contents of the folder (if files are not deleted, skip them).
• 🔄 Update Cache: Go to Settings → System → Memory → Temporary Files and tick Downloads, Clean Windows Update, and Update Logs.
• 🎨 Intel Graphics Cache: For the Iris Xe video chip, delete the folder C:\Users\Your name\AppData\Local\Temp\IGCC (hidden folder, turn on the hidden files!).

Tip: If after cleaning %temp%, the laptop starts to slow down, restart it. This is due to the fact that some Xiaomi programs (for example, Mi Bluetooth Suite) store active sessions in this folder.

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After clearing the temporary files, check the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder, which can contain gigabytes of old Windows updates. Delete all content except the DeliveryOptimization folder (don't touch it!).

2.Cleaning the C Disk: Windows and Xiaomi Tools

The built-in Disk Cleanup utility in RedmiBook 8 is inefficient because of the software preinstalled. For example, it can't see the Mi Cloud cache and the driver backup files. Use this algorithm:

1. Open This Computer → Right-click on the C: → “Properties” → “Disk Cleanup”.
2. Click on “Clear System Files” (Administrator Rights Requires).
3. Mark all items except “Download” (if there are important files) and “Basket”.
4. For models with SSD, additionally click “Optimize” the “Service” tab → “Optimize and defragment the drive”.

Xiaomi's proprietary PC Manager utility (installed by default) can also clean the disk, but often skips debris from third-party programs.

1. Open PC Manager from the Start menu.
2. Go to the “Cleaning” tab → “Deep Cleaning”.
3. Wait for analysis (can take up to 5 minutes on 1TB SSD).
4. Delete everything except the item "System Restore Files" (unless you plan to roll back the OS).

3. Removal of pre-installed Xiaomi programs

RedmiBook 8 comes with a dozen unnecessary apps that not only take up space, but also run in the background. Mi Share constantly scans Wi-Fi networks, and Mi Game Center downloads updates even if you're not playing. You need to remove them carefully - some are connected to drivers.

List of safe programs to remove:

• 🎮 Mi Game Center is a gaming center that consumes up to 300 MB of memory.
• 📱 Mi Phone Manager is a duplicate of the PC Manager function.
• 🔗 Mi Share – for transferring files to smartphones (you can delete if you don’t use it).
• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video are limited-functional media players.
• 🛒 Xiaomi Mall is an accessories store (only for China, in Russia it is useless).

How to delete:

1. Open Options → Applications → Applications and Opportunities.
2. Find the program in the list, click “Delete”.
3. If the button is inactive, use PowerShell: Get-AppxPackage | Remove-AppxPackage for example, for Mi Game Center: Get-AppxPackage GameCenter | Remove-AppxPackage

4. Cleaning the cache of browsers and programs

Browsers and instant messengers are the main “eaters” of space on RedmiBook 8. For example, Microsoft Edge (preinstalled) can take up to 5 GB of cache, and Telegram Desktop can take up to 10 GB of downloaded media.

For browsers:

• 🌐 Edge/Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + Del → select “All the time” → tick “Cookies”, “Cached images” and “Site Data”.
• 🦊 Firefox: Settings → Privacy and protection → Cookies and site data → Clear data.

For messengers:

• 💬 Telegram: Settings → Additional → Storage and Data → Clear the cache.
• 📱 WhatsApp: Delete the folder C:\Users\Your name\AppData\Roaming\WhatsApp\Media.

For games (Steam, Epic Games):

• 🎮 Steam: Settings → Downloads → Clear the download cache.
• 🖥️ Epic Games: Delete the folder C:\ProgramData\Epic\UnrealEngineLauncher\VaultCache.

Delete browser cache | Clear messengers | Check the Temp| folder Delete old Steam | Clear the Epic Games cache-->

5. Deep Cleanup: Registry, Drivers and Hidden Files

If the laptop is still slowing down after previous steps, the problem could be in the Windows registry or outdated drivers. RedmiBook 8 is especially sensitive to this because of the optimized firmware for Intel 11th generation.

Cleaning of the registry:

1. Download CCleaner (free version) or Wise Registry Cleaner.
2. Run a registry scan and correct any errors found.
3. Reboot the laptop.

Removal of old drivers:

• 🖥️ Open Device Manager (Win) + X → Device Manager).
• Deploy the sections "Video adapters", "Sound devices", "Network adapters".
• Right-click on the device → “Properties” → “Driver” → “Delete the device” (if there is an old version).

Hidden update files:

C:\Windows.old folder can take up to 20 GB after Windows update. Delete it via Disk Cleanup (Previous Windows Installations).

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Never manually delete WinSxS or System32 folders, which will cause system failure. Use only the built-in Windows tools or the DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/AnalyzeComponentStore command in PowerShell to clean them.

6 Optimization of SSD and defragmentation (if eMMC)

RedmiBook 8 models come with either an NVMe SSD (like the WD SN530) or an eMMC (in budget versions).

To check the type of storage device:

1. Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the “Productivity” tab → “Disk”.
3. The upper right corner will indicate the type (SSD or eMMC).

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If you have an eMMC, move your Downloads, Documents, and Desktop folders to an external drive or flash drive, which will extend the life of the drive by 20-30%.

7. factory reset (extreme case)

If the laptop is unbearably slow and the cleaning doesn’t help, reset. On RedmiBook 8, this is done while retaining the Windows license (it is tied to the motherboard).

Step-by-step:

1. Save all important data to an external disk.
2. Open the settings → System → Recovery.
3. Click on “Return your computer to its original state” → “Save my files” (or “Delete everything” if you sell a laptop).
4. Select Cloud Reinstallation (downloads fresh Windows 11) or Local Reinstallation (using the current version).
5. Wait until it is completed (it will take 30-60 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, RedmiBook 8 may lose function keys (such as brightness control).To return them, download the Mi Hotkey Driver from Xiaomi's official website.

8. Cleaning automation: setting up a schedule

To avoid manual cleaning, set up automatic cleaning:

Through Storage Sense (Windows 11):

1. Open the → System → Memory.
2. Turn on Storage Sense.
3. Set up a schedule: “Every month” or “Short of space”.
4. Mark “Clean the Recycle Bin” and “Delete Temporary Files”.

Through Xiaomi PC Manager:

1. Open the utility → “Settings” (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Turn on “Car Clean” and set the interval (we recommend “Every week”).
3. Add important folders (for example, with projects) to the exceptions.

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Auto-cleaning does not remove the cache of browsers and messengers. For them, set up a separate schedule in the applications themselves (for example, in Telegram: Settings → Additional → Auto-cleaning the cache).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up RedmiBook 8