How to Free Up Disk Space on Windows

When a drive is almost full, Windows can slow down and updates may fail. These steps help you reclaim space safely.

See what is using space

Open Settings, then System, then Storage. Windows shows a breakdown by category such as apps, temporary files and documents. Select a category to see details.

Use Storage Sense

Storage Sense can automatically remove temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin on a schedule. Turn it on from the same Storage settings page.

Run Disk Cleanup

Search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu, choose your system drive and tick the categories you want to delete, such as temporary files and thumbnails. Read each description before you confirm.

Uninstall unused programs

Open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps. Sort by size and remove programs you no longer use. Large games are common culprits.

Review large files

Look in Downloads, Videos and Desktop. Installer files and old videos can take a lot of space. Move files you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage.

Move files rather than delete

If you are unsure, copy files to an external drive before removing them from your computer. Make sure you have a backup of important data first.

Be careful with system files

Do not delete files from the Windows folder or Program Files by hand. Use the official uninstall and cleanup tools instead.

Prevent the problem

• Empty the Recycle Bin regularly.
• Check storage every few months.
• Store large media libraries on a separate drive.

This article is for general information only and is not professional advice. Features, prices and menu names may change between software versions. See our disclaimer.