Alex Ruben
How To Clear Disk Space on Windows 11 and 10
Running out of disk space is a common headache. It can slow things down, cause update errors, or just make the whole system feel cluttered. Sometimes, you’ve got a bunch of old update files lying around, temp files piling up, or useless apps you’ve forgotten about—any of which can gobble up valuable storage. This guide is about some no-fuss ways to clean things up, so your PC can breathe again. Things might not be perfect the first go, but a little maintenance goes a long way toward keeping Windows happy and responsive.
How to Free Up Disk Space on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Navigate to Your Main Drive
First, open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or hitting Windows + E. Then, head over to This PC and find your main drive, usually labeled as C:. Knowing exactly where your system’s heavy-hitters are helps target the cleanup effectively.
Delete Old Windows Update Files
Sometimes, Windows keeps old update files in a folder called SoftwareDistribution. If you’ve installed updates, those files can sit around forever, wasting space. To clear them out:
- Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloads. You can quickly get there by typing that path into the address bar.
- Select all files inside by pressing Ctrl + A.
- Delete everything with Shift + Delete. Confirm the deletion if prompted. No need to worry; Windows will just fetch updates again if needed.
This can help clear space, especially after big updates. On some machines, this might be sneaky and not work the first time—reboot and try again if it’s stubborn.
Clear Temporary and Prefetch Files
Temp files are kind of weird—they’re meant to be short-lived, but Windows might not clean them up promptly. To manually wipe these:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
tempand hit Enter. When the folder opens, select all (Ctrl + A) and delete with Shift + Delete. - Repeat for
prefetchby typing that into Run. These are safe to delete and can free up a surprising amount of space.
Sometimes, Windows gets a little thorny about deleting temp files, especially if some are in use. Just skip those in that case.
Reset The Microsoft Store Cache
If apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store seem out of control or space seems stuck, resetting the cache might help. Do this:
- Open Run (Windows + R) and type
WSReset.exe. - Hit Enter and wait. It’ll refresh the store cache and often clear out some space or resolve weird download issues.
On some setups, this is a magic fix to free up space tied up in app data or cache files. No risk, just a little patience.
Use Windows Built-in Disk Cleanup Tool
This is a classic. Search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu or list apps. Run it, select your main drive (C:), then hit OK. It scans what’s taking up space and presents options to remove:
- Temporary files
- Recycling Bin contents
- Old Windows files (if you’re really sure)
- Previous Windows installations (careful with this)
Check what you’re comfortable deleting, then click OK. After some time, space gets freed. Sometimes, this is enough for a quick boost.
Uninstall Unused Apps
If there are apps or programs you forgot you installed, now’s the time to ditch them. Open the run box (Windows + R) and type appwiz.cpl. This brings up your list of installed programs.
- Look for massive apps or ones you no longer use.
- Right-click and pick Uninstall.
This is often the easiest way to recover serious space—plus, it keeps your system lean.
Manually Review and Delete Large Files
Sometimes, it’s just about eyeballing your file folders. Open File Explorer and browse through your Downloads, Documents, Pictures, or any folders with personal files. Sort by size (right-click, choose Size or just sort by More options), and delete or transfer large unnecessary files to an external drive. This is time-consuming but very effective.
Empty Your Recycle Bin
This one’s obvious but worth mentioning. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin. Files there are technically deleted but still taking up space until permanently wiped.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
To avoid headaches:
- Double-check for files that might be in use before deleting. Some temp files can be stubborn.
- Consider third-party tools like CCleaner or BleachBit if Windows’ tools aren’t enough—just be careful with what you pick.
Sometimes, a reboot after cleanup helps Windows catch up, especially if certain temp files are still stubborn.
Summary
- Clear old Windows update files from
SoftwareDistribution. - Delete temp and prefetch files through Run.
- Reset Microsoft Store cache with
WSReset.exe. - Use Disk Cleanup to nuke unnecessary files.
- Uninstall unused apps and manually delete big files.
- Don’t forget to empty the Recycle Bin.
Wrap-up
Basically, freeing up space isn’t rocket science, but it can be a bit messy if you’re not sure what’s safe to delete. These steps are usually enough to get some breathing room, especially if you stick to temporary files and old apps. If things still feel tight, consider moving large files to external storage or checking for hidden system files taking up space—Windows can be weird that way.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just remember, regular cleanup keeps your PC happier longer. Fingers crossed this helps.