How to Free Up Disk Space in Windows 10 and Windows 11

When your PC’s main drive is almost full, knowing how to free up disk space can help you resolve low disk space warnings, install updates, and save new files again. In many cases, storage is being used by temporary files, unused apps, videos, downloads, and other items that build up over time.

This guide shows you how to recover space in Windows 10 and Windows 11, starting with the safest built-in tools. If you still need more room after applying those solutions, you will also find additional ways to clean up your drive without accidentally deleting important files.

Is Your C Drive Full or Running Low on Space?

The C: drive, usually labeled Local Disk (C:), is where Windows is installed on most PCs. If your C drive is full or Windows displays a low disk space warning, the methods in this guide can help you free up space and avoid problems when installing updates, saving files, or running apps.

Check What Is Taking Up Space on Your Drive

Before deleting files or uninstalling apps, identify what is filling up your main drive. Windows includes a storage breakdown that shows how much space is being used by apps, temporary files, documents, pictures, videos, and other items.

To check storage usage:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Wait while Windows analyzes your main drive, usually Local Disk (C:).
4. Review the categories using the most space.

Use the results to choose where to start. A large Installed apps category points to programs or games you may no longer need. If Temporary files is taking up space, use the Windows cleanup tools. For Documents, Videos, or Downloads, moving large files to another drive may be the best option.

I. Free Up Space on Your PC Quickly and Safely

The following methods use built-in Windows tools and are the best starting point for freeing up disk space without changing important system features.

1. Review Cleanup Recommendations and Temporary Files

Windows includes options that help you identify unnecessary files and check how much space you can recover before deleting anything.

To use Cleanup recommendations:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage and select Cleanup recommendations.
2. Review the available categories, such as Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud, and Unused apps.
3. Select only the items you no longer need, then click Clean up.

This tool shows how much space you can recover before removing the selected items, making it one of the safest ways to begin the cleanup.

If Cleanup recommendations is not available on your PC, open:

Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files

From there, you can review and remove temporary files, items in the Recycle Bin, and, when available, files from previous Windows installations.

Important: carefully review the contents of Downloads, the Recycle Bin, and any option related to a previous Windows installation. Once those installation files are deleted after an upgrade, you will no longer be able to return to that version of Windows through the recovery options.

2. Uninstall Apps and Games You No Longer Use

Games, video editors, and other large apps can take up several gigabytes. If you have software you no longer use, uninstalling it may free up more space than deleting temporary files.

To review and uninstall apps:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10.
2. Sort the list by Size and locate an app or game you no longer need.
3. In Windows 11, click the three dots next to the app and select Uninstall. In Windows 10, select the app and click Uninstall.
4. Confirm the removal and repeat the process for other programs you no longer use.

Start with games, older apps, or programs you recognize and no longer need.

Important: avoid uninstalling drivers, Microsoft components, manufacturer utilities, or programs you do not recognize unless you are sure what they are used for.

3. Move Large Files to Another Drive

If videos, photos, backups, or downloaded files take up much of your main drive, you can move them to another internal drive or an external storage device instead of deleting them.

To move large files:

1. Open File Explorer and review folders such as Downloads, Videos, Pictures, Documents, and Desktop.
2. Select the personal files or folders you want to move and press Ctrl + X.
3. Open the destination drive and press Ctrl + V to complete the move.

Videos, compressed files, and backups can use several gigabytes, so moving them away from your main drive may free up space quickly.

Important: move only personal files. Do not manually move the Windows or Program Files folders, or folders for installed apps, using File Explorer.

Tip: do not use a USB flash drive as the only location for important documents or photos. Keep an additional backup for files you cannot afford to lose.

Note: if you already use OneDrive, you can also free up local space for synced files by right-clicking them in File Explorer and selecting Free up space. The files will remain available in the cloud, but you will need an Internet connection to open them when they are no longer stored locally on your PC.

For many PCs, these first methods are enough to recover storage without changing important Windows features. After the cleanup, you can configure Windows to prevent the drive from filling up again too quickly.

II. Prevent Your Drive from Filling Up Again

Once you have recovered space, Windows can help reduce future buildup by removing unnecessary files automatically and saving new content to another drive.

4. Turn On Storage Sense to Automate Cleanup

Storage Sense can automatically remove temporary files and items from the Recycle Bin according to the schedule you choose.

To turn it on:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense.
2. Select Storage Sense to open its options and choose when Windows should run cleanup automatically.
3. Review how long files should remain in the Recycle Bin or the Downloads folder before they are deleted.

Important: before allowing Windows to delete files from Downloads, review that folder manually. It may contain documents, installers, or other files you still want to keep.

You can also start a cleanup immediately from the same screen by selecting Run Storage Sense now.

5. Change Where New Content Is Saved

If your PC has a second internal drive, you can configure Windows to save new documents, pictures, videos, and other files on that drive instead of using your main drive by default.

To change the default save location:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings.
2. Select Where new content is saved.
3. Choose a different drive for categories such as Documents, Music, Photos and videos, or Movies and TV shows.

From that point on, Windows will save new content in those categories to the selected drive. Files already stored on your main drive will not be moved automatically.

Tip: use a second internal drive whenever possible for documents and media files. Avoid storing apps or important files on an external drive that will not always be connected to your PC.

Review Downloads and the Recycle Bin Regularly

The Downloads folder and the Recycle Bin can accumulate old installers, compressed files, videos, and documents you no longer need. Checking them periodically can help you recover space without applying additional cleanup methods.

To automate part of this cleanup, configure Storage Sense to empty the Recycle Bin after the period you choose. Before enabling automatic deletion in Downloads, make sure the folder does not contain files you still need.

III. How to Free Up Disk Space with Additional Options

If your drive is still almost full after removing temporary files, uninstalling apps, and moving personal files, you can try the following options to free up additional disk space.

Some of these options affect system files or Windows features, so apply them carefully and do not manually delete Windows folders or files whose purpose you do not know.

6. How to Free Up Disk Space with Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows tool that can remove unnecessary files from your main drive, usually C:. It is especially useful for cleaning up system files related to updates or previous Windows installations.

To run a more complete Windows Disk Cleanup:

1. Open the Start menu, type Disk Cleanup, and select the tool.
2. Choose your main drive, usually C:, and click Clean up system files.
3. Select the drive again, wait while Windows completes the scan, and check the items you want to remove.
4. Click OK > Delete Files to confirm.

This process may recover space used by temporary system files, Windows Update files, and, when available, files from previous Windows installations.

Important: if you remove files from a previous Windows installation, you will no longer be able to roll back to that version of Windows using the built-in recovery options.

7. Disable Hibernation to Remove hiberfil.sys

Hibernation lets you turn off your PC and pick up where you left off later. To do this, Windows uses a file called hiberfil.sys, which can take up several gigabytes on your main drive.

If you do not use hibernation and need to free up additional space, you can disable it this way:

1. Open the Start menu, type CMD, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   powercfg.exe /hibernate off

Windows will disable hibernation and remove the hiberfil.sys file.

To turn this feature on again later, run the following command as administrator:
powercfg.exe /hibernate on

Important: disabling hibernation also disables features that depend on it, such as Hybrid Sleep and Fast Startup. If you use a laptop or regularly use hibernation to resume your work, keeping this feature enabled may be the better option.

8. Clean Old Windows Components with DISM

Windows stores system components in the WinSxS folder, located at C:\Windows\WinSxS. Some of this content may include older versions of components that were replaced during Windows updates.

To remove old components safely:

1. Open the Start menu, type CMD, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
3. Wait for Windows to complete the process.

The process may take several minutes, and the amount of space recovered will depend on the updates and components stored on your PC.

Important: never manually delete the WinSxS folder or files inside it. Doing so can cause serious errors, prevent future updates, or even keep Windows from starting correctly.

For more details about this command, see Microsoft’s official documentation on how to clean up the WinSxS folder.

9. Enable CompactOS on PCs with Limited Storage

CompactOS allows Windows to run system files in compressed form, reducing the amount of space they use on your drive. It may be useful on PCs with limited storage after the usual cleanup methods have not been enough.

Before enabling it, check whether Windows is already using this feature:

1. Open the Start menu, type CMD, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
2. Run the following command:
   Compact.exe /CompactOS:query

If Windows is not already using CompactOS and you want to enable it, run:
Compact.exe /CompactOS:always

Wait for Windows to complete the process. If you later want to disable this feature, run:
Compact.exe /CompactOS:never

Important: use CompactOS only when your PC has limited available storage and the usual cleanup options have not been sufficient. Because it compresses system files, its performance impact may vary depending on your hardware.

Microsoft provides more information about CompactOS and compressed operating system files.

10. Reduce the Space Used by System Restore Points

If your drive is still almost full after applying the previous methods and System Protection is enabled, you can reduce the maximum amount of space Windows uses for restore points:

1. Open the Start menu, type Create a restore point, and select the result.
2. On the System Protection tab, select your main drive, usually C:, and click Configure.
3. Reduce the Max Usage value using the slider, then select Apply > OK.

From the same window, you can also delete existing restore points, but you should do this only as a last resort and when your PC is working correctly.

Important: if System Protection is turned off, this method will not free up space. If it is enabled, reducing the limit is preferable to disabling a feature that can help you recover Windows if something goes wrong.

Before changing the disk space used by restore points, read our guide on how to use System Restore in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Conclusion

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include built-in tools you can use to free up disk space without installing third-party programs or manually deleting system files. In most cases, reviewing storage usage, deleting temporary files, uninstalling unused apps, and moving large files can recover a meaningful amount of space.

If your drive is still almost full, you can try additional options such as disabling hibernation, cleaning old components with DISM, or reducing the space used by System Restore points. Apply these methods carefully and avoid manually deleting Windows folders or system files.

Frequently Asked Questions About Freeing Up Disk Space