How To Free up Drive Space in Windows

Running out of storage on your Windows PC can be really frustrating, can’t it? It turns out that nearly half of all users—regardless of whether you're a student, a gamer, a designer, or just someone who uses their computer casually—experience this same challenge. Having low storage space can really be a hassle! In addition, we will discuss some of the best-proven methods to free up space in Windows 10 and 11. Let's dive in!

Is Freeing Up Drive Storage is Important?

Yes, It is one of the best practice to keep your Windows PC smooth and healthy including:

• It helps in elevating Windows Performance
• Unavoidable "Warning" storage will be a long gone story
• Freeing up space will help you with installation of new software and updates
• Your system will be better organzised

PC Disk Cleanup - 10 Effective Methods

In this article, We discuss effective 10 Ways To Free up Drive Space in Windows. So Let's see step by step process.

1. Storage Sense

You can use the Windows built-in tool that will help you in removing temp file, empty recycle bin and remove the unused files automatically. Here's how to put it into the action:

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Navigate to Settings > System > Storage

Step 2: Toggle ON the Storage Sense

On the top mid section, you'll find an option of Storage Sense (along with a TOGGLE button). Click to Toggle ON.

Step 3: Configure Storage Sense

Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize:

• Delete Temp Files (check box)
• Empty Recycle Bin (1, 14, 30, or 60 days) - set a time line
• Remove files from the "Downloads" folder (that haven't been opened for more than.. (1,14,30 or 60) days

2. Run Disk Cleanup

Windows offers a utility called Disk Cleanup, which helps you free up some drive space by removing various different files. They include temporary files, delivery optimization files, downloaded program files, and many more.

Step 1: Navigate to the Disk Cleanup

Search for the Disk Cleanup in the Start Menu and click to open it.

Step 2: Select the dedicated Drive for cleanup

Select any drive that you wish to perform disk cleaup (e.g. C:)

Step 3: Check Mark Your desired Preferences and Proceed

Ensure to check boxes to perform the disk cleanup:

• Temp files
• System files
• Windows Update Cleanup

Once, you've made the selection, click OK to confirm.

3. Uninstall Unused Applications

Another way to get more drive space is to uninstall apps. Most of us have applications on our Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC that are unnecessary and unused. Here's how you can clean up unused apps and bloatware.

Step 1: Navigate to Windows Installated Applications

Click on the Start Menu and type "Settings" and navigate to Apps > Installed Apps

Step 2: Click to Sort Files as per Size

Now, sort by size to identify large programs.

Step 3: Click to Uninstall

Click on the three dots (available next to apps)

4. Remove Temporary Files

Clearing the temp cache files can enhance your system and save a lot of space. This method does not require any additional expertise - except just a few commands. Here's how you can do it quickly.

Step 1: Open Run Dialogue Box

Press Win + R and type "%temp% and hit the enter button

Step 2: Select all Files to Remove

You will receive a pop-up before it gets open so ensure that you're having an admin rights. Now, press Ctrl + A and press the delete button to remove all files at once.

Step 3: Repeat the Method for temp Files

Reopen the Run box and type temp and hit the enter button and select all files to remove them instantly. (if any issue encounters, click Continue)

5. Clear System Reserved Storage

There is an additional space allotted/reserved for Windows updates (including system files). However, you can clear out some space so that you can get into usage. Here's how to perform this action:

Step 1: Access to Command Prompt as an Administrator

Click on the Start menu and type CMD and select Run as admin

Step 2: Run the Component Cleanup Command

Now type the following command and hit ENTER

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Step 3: Wait Till the Confirmation

Wait for sometime until you get the confirmation and exit the Command prompt.

6. Remove the Previous Windows Installation Files (Windows.old)

Once you update your system with a major update, your system will have a preexisting file including Windows.old folder. Here's a detailed breakdown to perform this action:

Note: Once you perform this method, rolling back to previous version cannot be performed.

Step 1: Access to the Disk Cleanup

Click on the Start Menu and search Disk Cleanup.

Step 2: Cleanup System Files

Select the Drive (e.g C:) and Make a check mark - System Files (for cleaning system files)

Step 3: Select and Remove the Previous Windows Installations

Check Previous Windows Installations and confirm deletion.

7. Disable Windows Hibernation

In case if you're not aware of the fact, Windows Hibernation create a large hiberfil.sys which can go up to storage space in Gigabytes. Check out the steps below to spot and disable it from your Windows system.

Step 1: Access CMD as Admin

Click on the Start menu and type CMD and click to Run as admin

Step 2: Run the Command to Turn off Hibernation

Now, type the following command to turn off the hibernate mode:

powercfg.exe /hibernate off

Step 3: Confirm and Exit

Press Enter to execute the command and then Exit the Command Prompt. Now, your system's Hibernation Mode is removed successfully.

8. Move Large Files to Cloud Storage or External Drive

Using a cloud storage platform (such as OneDrive, iCloud, etc.) or any External Storage Drive can be a smart choice to unload your Windows 10 or 11 computer. Below is the short breakdown of moving files to the Cloud or any External drive.

Note: Make sure to have an Active Internet Connection and once you upload or transfer files, you can remove the old files to create the space in the Hard Drive.

For Cloud Storage

Step 1: Sign-up to any Cloud Platform

Visit the official website of any cloud platform and create a free account.

Here, we've taken Microsoft OneDrive as an example)

• For existing account users, click to sign-in

Step 2: Select your Files & Start Uploading

Click on the left-hand navigation panel "+Add new", it will ask for:

• File Upload
• Folder Upload
• Word Documents, etc.

Select the file type, navigate through your PC and start uploading.

For External Drive

Step 1: Connect the External Drive in your Computer

Plug in the External Storage Device in your computer and open Windows File Explorer.

Step 2: Move Files and Eject the Drive

Now, navigate to the dedicated folder that you wish to move from your PC to the Externally connected drive. Once the files gets transferred, click on the taskbar tray, look for the USB devices, and click to eject the drive successfully.

9. Third-party Tools

The best method to perform a smooth PC disk cleanup is by using any trusted third-party software. Just ensure to get it from any trusted source only. However, performing a disk cleanup using any third-party tool can have different procedures for different software. We're providing you a list of a few trusted software that you can try along with the basic steps:

Trusted Cleanup Software

• CCleaner
• TreeSize Free
• BleachBit

Step 1: Download & Install the Computer Disk Cleanup Software

Open your browser and search for CCleaner, open the official website and get the CCleaner for Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Step 2: Open the Software & Perform the Scan

Open CCleaner, navigate through the Deep Scan or Quick Scan.

Step 3: Click Continue to Perform the Cleanup & Exit

Once the scan gets completed, you'll get the final report of junks, cache, etc. So, make adjustments of removing files as per your preference and click Continue to start. Once you're done with the cleanup, you can exit the software.

10. Empty the Recycle Bin

Clearing the recycle bin of Windows 10 or 11 can offload tons of files and save a noticeable amount of disk storage. Here's how to perform this action:

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin

Navigate to the desktop (where usually recycle bin is placed) and click to open it.

Step 2: Select all & Remove

Use the Windows Shortcut Key Ctrl + A and press the delete button from your keyboard. A prompt will appear that will ask for your permission to delete the items from your recycling bin. Click Yes to perform the operation.

Conclusion

By following the above outlined steps, you can easily implement disc cleanup in Windows 10 that helps in improving your PC health and reduce the risk of running out of storage. You can pick using built-in tools like Storage Sense and PC Disk Cleanup and carry a healthy habit of removing unused or unnecessary programs and keep your system running smoothly.

Also Read

• How to Improve Performance of PC/Laptop?
• Free space management in Operating System
• Disk Cleanup Using Powershell Scripts
• How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 10?
• How to Create Partitions of a Hard Drive in Windows 10?
• How to Upgrade From Windows 10 to Windows 11 For Free?