DiskshaperQuestions and answers
Is Diskshaper really free?
Yes. There is no paid version, no trial and no ads. It is open source and made by Hollowbit Studio, who also make Fileshaper and Captionshaper.
Will it delete something I need?
Not on its own. Only items you tick are touched, and they go to the Trash or Recycle Bin, not straight to deletion. Items marked “Check first” are never ticked for you.
Does it upload my files or track me?
No. The scan runs on your computer and nothing about you or your files is sent anywhere. The only time the app goes online is a once-a-day check for a new version, which you can turn off. There are no analytics.
Why is the space not free yet after cleaning?
Because everything goes to the Trash first, so you can undo it. Empty the Trash or Recycle Bin when you are happy and the space comes back.
Which computers does it run on?
macOS 11 Big Sur or newer (Apple Silicon and Intel), and Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit).
How is it different from CleanMyMac, CCleaner or DaisyDisk?
Those are good tools, but most of their cleaning sits behind a subscription or licence, and DaisyDisk shows you sizes without telling you what is safe. Diskshaper is free, explains every group in plain words, and knows about games and editing apps, which general cleaners mostly skip.
Does cleaning shader caches hurt my games?
No. Shader caches are rebuilt the next time you play. You might see a little stutter for the first few minutes while that happens, then it is back to normal.
Will removing a game’s leftover folder delete my saves?
Most games store saves in your Documents or AppData folder or in Steam Cloud, not in the game folder. Diskshaper only marks a folder as a leftover when Steam or Epic no longer lists the game. If a game kept saves in its own folder, they go to the Trash with it, so you can still get them back.
Why does it list games instead of deleting them?
Removing a game through its launcher lets the launcher tidy up properly and keeps your library correct. Diskshaper shows you which games you have not played and opens the launcher’s uninstall for you.
Why does macOS ask for permission to read my Desktop or Documents?
macOS asks before any app looks inside those folders. Diskshaper needs it to find old installers, big videos and duplicate photos there. You can say no and it will still check caches and games.
Why does Windows show a SmartScreen warning?
Code-signing certificates cost money every year, and Diskshaper is a free project. Click “More info”, then “Run anyway”. The source code is public on GitHub if you want to check it.
Can it find duplicate photos without installing anything?
Yes. The free duplicate photo finder on this website runs in your browser and never uploads your photos.