A “low disk space” warning, failed Windows updates, or apps that refuse to install usually mean the system drive (normally C:) has run out of room. Fixing a Windows storage issue is mostly about finding the few large things that matter, not deleting many small files. This guide works for Windows 11 and Windows 10; menu names differ slightly between versions.
Confirm which drive is full
Open File Explorer and select This PC. Each drive shows a bar and the free space remaining. If C: is full but another drive has room, your fix is often to move personal files rather than delete anything. If the drive is an external disk or a memory card, the steps below still apply, but Windows Storage settings focus on the system drive by default.
Work through the fixes in this order
- Settings → System → Storage: note the size of each category, and select Show more categories to see everything.
- Open the Recycle Bin, check for anything you still need, then empty it.
- Select Cleanup recommendations (Windows 11) and review temporary files, large or unused files, files synced to the cloud, and unused apps.
- Open Temporary files and read each category before selecting it. Leave Downloads unselected unless you have reviewed that folder.
- Uninstall apps and games you no longer use from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Move large videos, photos and archives you want to keep to another drive, or let OneDrive keep them online-only.
- Check free space again in This PC and stop once you have a comfortable margin.
| What you see in Storage settings | Likely cause | Safe first action |
|---|---|---|
| Apps & features is largest | Large games or creative software | Uninstall what you no longer use |
| Temporary files is large | Update leftovers, previous Windows installation, Downloads | Review each category before selecting |
| Videos, Pictures or Documents | Personal files and exports | Move to another drive or online-only OneDrive |
| Other or folders you do not recognise | Project folders, VM images, app data | Investigate the folder path before removing |
| System & reserved | Windows, page file, hibernation, restore points | Read the System & reserved guide first |
Turn on Storage Sense for the future
Storage Sense can clear temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin on a schedule. Open Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense, review how long files stay in the Recycle Bin and Downloads, and decide whether cloud content should become online-only after a period without use. Choose settings you would be comfortable with if they ran tomorrow.
If the drive fills up again quickly
Compare the category sizes a day apart. A category that grows quickly points to the cause: a sync client downloading files, a game update, a recording app, or a backup tool writing locally. Fix the source by changing where that app saves data, rather than repeating a cleanup every week. If the drive is simply too small for how you use the PC, read how to increase storage on Windows.
Sources & further reading
Windows instructions checked against the official documentation linked here. Controls can vary by Windows version and device configuration.
Put your storage knowledge into practice.
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