Windows cleanup ain't working

[pf22]

    So just the cleanup works (altho it removes thumbnails but sometime later adds the same amount back idk what's up with that?)
    But the clean up of system files isn't working. I try to remove windows updates and it actually added like 500MB onto my C drive instead of removing like 3gb of updates and some MBs of other stuff. I could really use that extra space I only have 744MB on C 7,28MB on D 1 gb on E. I disabled downloading of any further updates btw,

    What can I do?

    And an additional question: are there some other ways to cleanup at least a few bit of space without risks? some that aren't that known ofc

[Geek-9pm]

Apparently you are stingy about having spare hard drives on hand.
Here is my honest recommendation.
Got get another hard drive. Clone yur old drive to thenew drive.
Clone programs can adjust to larger HDD if need be.
From CH archives:
Clone Hard Drive or Computer

Also see:
Hard Drive Clone search

The cost of a new hard drive is a fraction of the cost of fixing after a crash.
There are companies that recover your data, put prices start at $100.
Bit for $100 you can buy a new 1 TB drive with warranty.

Yes, in your case reliability is not the issue. But for a small investment you can have both more space and redundant storage.   

[patio]

Hint::...if your C:\ HDD is that low on space cleanup will not run proper...

Is this copy of Win legit BTW ? ?

Rule of thumb is any Win version likes approx 15% free space overhead to run proper...to do the math multiply your HDD size x .15...that'll tell you what free space you should have.