Insufficient Disk Space in Windows 11? How to Free Up Storage

Open File Explorer

1. Find the yellow folder icon on the taskbar along the bottom of your screen.
2. Select that icon to bring up File Explorer.

Identify the drive with little space left

1. In the left pane, select This PC. Look under Devices and drives for a drive whose storage bar is almost full. A red bar usually indicates little remaining space.
2. The Windows drive is normally Local Disk (C:). Right-click it and choose Properties.
3. On General, compare Used space, Free space and Capacity, then select Cancel.

If C: has little room remaining, work through the following checks.

Review and empty the Recycle Bin

Check the contents first so you do not permanently remove something you still want to restore.

1. On your desktop, right-click Recycle Bin and choose Empty Recycle Bin.
2. Read the confirmation before selecting Yes.

When later steps involve deleting files, use this same Bin check afterwards rather than leaving the removed files there.

Review storage in Windows Settings

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Storage. Settings has a gear icon.
2. Allow the storage calculation to finish, then select a category to examine its usage.

The overview separates installed software and temporary items from personal folders such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music and Desktop. Other categories include OneDrive, Other, and System and reserved.

For cleanup, select Temporary files and review the listed items. These can include Windows Update Cleanup, Thumbnails, DirectX Shader Cache and Temporary internet files, along with Delivery Optimization Files and Windows error reporting files. Recycle Bin is another choice once its contents have been checked.

Check Downloads before selecting it. That folder can hold documents, photos, installers, tax or work records, saved attachments and files without a backup. Leave it unselected until you know those files are no longer required.

1. Tick only the cleanup categories you intend to clear.
2. Choose Remove files and allow Windows to finish.

1. Select Start, use its search box to enter Disk Cleanup, and select the matching result.
2. If a drive is requested, choose C: and select OK. Wait for the calculation.
3. Choose Clean up system files, selecting C: again if requested.
4. Review the categories and tick the items you want removed. Select OK, then confirm with Delete Files.

Windows Update Cleanup may release considerable space. Allow several minutes for that cleanup to complete.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps and sort by Size.
2. Review the larger entries, including games. For an app you no longer require, select its three-dot menu and choose Uninstall.
3. Complete the removal prompts, restarting Windows if requested.

Leave unfamiliar software alone until you have checked its name. Take particular care with device, graphics and network drivers, antivirus or security tools, Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables and Microsoft .NET components.

A OneDrive file may exist online and on the computer. Green check marks can indicate files occupying local storage.

1. Select OneDrive in File Explorer’s left pane.
2. Find the relevant file or folder, right-click it and choose Free up space.

The file stays in OneDrive; opening it later may need an internet connection.

Leave Free up space alone when:

• You need access to the file while offline.
• Syncing is still in progress.
• You cannot confirm the file is safely present in OneDrive.
• An important file has no separate backup.

A major Windows upgrade can leave the earlier installation in Windows.old.

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files.
2. Find Previous Windows installation(s). Select it only when you are sure you will not need the earlier version.
3. Choose Remove files.

Deleting that installation’s files can remove your ability to roll back.