Alex Ruben
How To Free Up Over 30GB of Disk Space on Windows 11/10/8/7 in 2025
Running out of disk space on a Windows PC isn’t exactly new territory, but it’s still annoying. If your storage is creeping below what’s comfortable, here are some tried-and-true ways to claw back a bunch of space—pretty sure you can squeeze out over 30GB if you try these methods.
Step 1: Use the Disk Cleanup Tool
This is a classic, but still effective. It helps get rid of temp files, system cache, and other junk that Windows piles up but doesn’t really need anymore. Honestly, it’s kind of weird why Windows doesn’t auto-clean this stuff more often, but here we are.
- Hit the Windows key and type disk cleanup. You’ll see the Disk Cleanup app pop up—click it.
- If prompted, select the C drive (or the drive Windows is installed on). Hit OK.
- In the window, check all the boxes for stuff like Temporary files, Recycle Bin, and System files. On some setups, you’ll see options for previous Windows installations or system restore points—these can take up a lot of space.
- Click OK and then Delete Files when it asks for confirmation. Expect a little cleanup action—this can take a few minutes.
Tip: Sometimes you might need to run Disk Cleanup twice or reboot first, because of course Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Step 2: Uninstall Unused Applications
This is a good one if you’ve got apps lurking that you no longer use. Big apps can silently hog a lot of space. Just make sure to double-check before hitting uninstall—sometimes stuff looks safe but isn’t.
- Press the Windows key, type settings, and open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Apps. This shows your installed list—sort by size if possible or just scroll through and look for the heavy hitters.
- Click on an app you don’t need, then hit Uninstall. Follow any prompts—sometimes you’ll need to confirm a few times.
Pro tip: Some apps leave leftovers; if you’re feeling brave, tools like Revo Uninstaller (https://www.revouninstaller.com/) might clean up the mess better. But for most, just uninstalling from settings works fine.
Step 3: Delete Windows.old Folder
This sneaky folder happens when you upgrade Windows—so it’s nice to delete it if you’re sure you don’t need to roll back. Because it can grow fast and eat a ton of space.
- Open File Explorer, go to This PC, then double-click Local Disk (C:).
- Find the Windows.old folder. Right-click it, pick Delete.
- If you get a permissions error, you might need to take ownership or use administrator privileges.
Heads-up: On some setups, deleting Windows.old might not work at first—reboot and try again. Or use Disk Cleanup and select “Previous Windows installation(s)” to delete it cleanly.
Step 4: Clear the Software Distribution Folder
This folder holds Windows Update files—once updates are installed, these files are usually safe to delete. Helps clear out that cache from leftovers of failed or pending updates.
- Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloads.
- Select everything inside (Ctrl + A) and delete. If you get permission issues, stop and try running as administrator.
Tip: Stopping the Windows Update service (`net stop wuauserv`) before cleaning can sometimes help with permissions—just don’t forget to restart it afterward.
Step 5: Enable Storage Sense
This is the magic feature in Windows 10/11 that auto-cleans temp files, old downloads, and more. You’ll want to turn this on if manual cleanup is too much hassle.
- Hit Windows and type storage settings. Open that.
- Flip on Storage Sense.
- Click on the link to configure it (sometimes under Temporary Files) and check what types of files it should clear—like Recycle Bin contents or in-progress downloads.
- You can set it to run automatically on a schedule, so you don’t have to think about it.
Note: It might not delete everything, but it certainly helps keep the clutter down. On some machines, turning on Storage Sense and rebooting might be needed for it to start working right.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If the space isn’t releasing, double-check what’s taking up most—use Settings > Storage and see the breakdown. Also, third-party cleanup tools like CCleaner (https://www.ccleaner.com/) can help, but only grab from trusted sources. Or else risk installing malware or junk.
Heads up: Always be cautious when deleting files, especially system files. It’s easy to mess up Windows if you’re not careful.
Conclusion
Following these steps can help free up a hefty amount of space, often over 30GB. Regular maintenance helps keep your PC happy and not constantly fighting storage limits. Sometimes a reboot after cleanup helps things settle, so don’t skip that step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean up my disk space?
Every few months or whenever your storage gets tight—depends on your usage.
What if cleanup errors pop up?
Make sure you run as administrator, or try restarting and doing it again. Sometimes Windows just stubs its toe.
Is recovering files after Disk Cleanup possible?
Usually no, once the files are gone, they’re gone. Better be safe and back stuff up first. That way, if you delete something important, it’s not a disaster.
Summary
- Use Disk Cleanup for quick wins
- Uninstall unused apps regularly
- Remove Windows.old if you’re sure you won’t revert
- Clear Windows update leftovers
- Turn on Storage Sense for automation
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Sometimes, just doing these quick things can make a real difference in how well Windows runs.