How to free up disk space in Windows

Windows systems often accumulate excess data over time, such as old updates, logs, and temporary files. These unused files can slow down disk access and diminish overall system performance on NTFS or FAT32 volumes. Identifying and removing these items can help optimize storage usage and maintain fast read-write speeds.

Many tools and features exist to manage space on Windows drives. Built-in utilities like Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense allow selective file removal, ensuring important system and user data remains intact. Managing the Recycle Bin, uninstalling unused programs, and deleting large unnecessary files can further streamline space usage.

Third-party software can complement built-in utilities by scanning for duplicate files or providing advanced features like secure deletion. However, Windows provides sufficient native options to remove temporary data and maintain performance without relying on external applications. Regular maintenance ensures efficient disk utilization and reduces the risk of slowdowns or system instability.

1. Open the Start Menu and type “Disk Cleanup,” then press Enter.
2. Select the drive that requires cleanup.

   The Disk Cleanup utility can remove temporary files, thumbnails, and system-generated log files.

3. Check the boxes next to the file categories you want to delete.
4. Click “OK” to remove the selected files from the drive.

   For more options, choose “Clean up system files” to remove old Windows update files and residual installation data.

5. Confirm the final file deletion when prompted.

Storage Sense automatically clears temporary files and manages storage on Windows systems.

1. Click the Start button and select “Settings.”
2. Choose “System,” then select “Storage” from the left pane.
3. Enable “Storage Sense” to allow Windows to delete unnecessary files at set intervals.

   Configuring Storage Sense to run automatically ensures routine cleanup of caches, temporary directories, and system update leftovers.

4. Click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now” to specify cleanup frequency and file types.
5. Save your changes to maintain automatic space management.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to your user folders.
2. Sort files by size to locate large media, archives, or installers.
3. Move files you still need to an external storage device or cloud service.

   Verify that important data is backed up before removing large files permanently.

4. Delete unnecessary or duplicate files to free up disk space.

1. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop.
2. Choose “Empty Recycle Bin” from the context menu.
3. Confirm the action to permanently remove deleted files from the drive.

   Files in the Recycle Bin still consume disk space until fully emptied.

1. Press Win+R, type “cmd,” and press Enter.
2. Run the cleanup tool with advanced parameters.

   cleanmgr /sageset:1
   No files selected
   cleanmgr /sagerun:1
   Starting Disk Cleanup...
   Cleanup finished.

   Using cleanmgr in advanced mode allows greater control over which system files are removed, including old Windows update packages.

3. Choose the file categories to delete in the Disk Cleanup window that appears.
4. Close the command prompt when the cleanup is complete.