Methods and systems for data cleanup using physical image of files on storage devices

A method of optimizing selection of files for deletion from one or more data storage devices to free up a predetermined amount of space, the method comprising:

• analyzing an effective space occupied by each file of a plurality of files in the one or more data storage devices;
• identifying, from the plurality of files, one or more data blocks making up a file to free up the predetermined amount of space based on the analysis of the effective space of each file of the plurality of files;
• selecting one or more of the plurality of files as one or more candidate files for deletion, based on the identified one or more data blocks;
• deleting the one or more candidate files for deletion from the one or more data storage devices;
• after the plurality of files have undergone a deduplication process, determining whether the one or more data blocks is pointed to by an other file other than an instant file of the plurality of files being examined;
• and
• choosing the instant file, if the one or more data blocks is not pointed to by the other file and if the instant file occupies space equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of space, as the one or more candidate files for deletion.