Free Up Space on Windows FAST! Easy Tips to Clean Your PC!

Running out of storage space on your Windows 10 PC? A cluttered hard drive can make everyday tasks frustrating. Fortunately, Windows 10 offers several built-in tools and techniques to free up disk space and keep your PC clutter-free. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods to reclaim valuable storage space

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Quick Checklist to Free Up Space

1. Enable Storage Sense for automatic cleanup
2. Delete temporary files using Settings
3. Uninstall unused apps and programs
4. Clear out the Downloads folder
5. Move files to external storage or cloud
6. Disable Hibernation Mode (if not needed)
7. Use Disk Cleanup for deep cleaning
8. Compress large files with WinRAR or 7-Zip

1. Use Storage Sense to Automate Cleanup

Windows 10 includes a feature called Storage Sense, which automatically deletes temporary files and items in your recycle bin.

How to Enable Storage Sense:

• Open Settings (Press Win + I).
• Go to System > Storage.
• Toggle Storage Sense to “On.”
• Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize cleanup settings.

Storage Sense can be scheduled to clean up files periodically, preventing unnecessary clutter.

2. Delete Temporary Files

Temporary files accumulate over time and take up space unnecessarily. To remove them:

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Click on System > Storage.
• Under Local Disk (C:) (The system partition), click Temporary files.
• Check the boxes for files you want to delete (e.g., Temporary files, Downloads).
• Click Remove files.

3. Uninstall Unused Apps and Programs

Some apps and programs take up a lot of space but are rarely used.

How to Uninstall Apps:

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Go to Apps > Apps & features.
• Scroll through the list and find unused applications.
• Click on an app and select Uninstall.

Tip: You can also use third-party tools like Revo Uninstaller for a deeper cleanup.

4. Analyze Disk Space Usage with WinDirStat or TreeSize Free

Sometimes, hidden files and folders consume significant space. Use tools like WinDirStat or TreeSize Free to visually analyze disk space usage.

How to Use WinDirStat:

• Download and install WinDirStat (free).
• Run the program and select the drive you want to scan.
• After scanning, a visual map shows which files take up the most space.
• Delete unnecessary large files from within the program.

5. Clear Out the Downloads Folder

The Downloads folder can get cluttered with old files you no longer need. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads and delete unnecessary files or move important ones to an external drive.

6. Move Files to an External Drive or Cloud Storage

If your PC's internal storage is running low and you aren’t ready to delete any files, consider moving them to external storage or cloud services like:

• OneDrive (built into Windows 10)
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• External HDD/SSD or USB drive

To move files, simply cut and paste them from your local drive to your external or cloud storage location.

7. Disable Hibernation Mode (If Not Needed)

Hibernation mode saves the current system state to your hard drive, creating a large hiberfil.sys file.

To disable it and free up space:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Search for “cmd,” right-click, and select Run as administrator).
• Type the command ”powercfg -h off”
• Press Enter.

This will delete the hibernation file and free up space.

8. Use Disk Cleanup for Deep Cleaning

Windows 10 also provides Disk Cleanup, a classic tool for removing unnecessary files.

Steps to Use Disk Cleanup:

• Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and hit Enter.
• Select C: Drive and click OK.
• Check unnecessary file categories (e.g., Delivery optimization files, Temporary Files).
• Click OK > Delete Files.

9. Compress Large Files

If you have large files that you don’t want to delete, you can compress them using built-in Windows compression or third-party tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip.

Steps to Use WinRAR:

1.     Right-click the file or folder you need compressed,

2.     Select “Add to archive” from the context menu.

3.     Set options:

a.     Archive name: Enter a name for your compressed file

b.     Archive format: Choose “RAR” or “ZIP” depending on your preference.

c.     Compression level: Select “Best” for maximum compression or “Normal” for a balance between size and speed

4.     Click “OK” to start compression. Wait for completion.

Final Thoughts

By following these methods, you can quickly reclaim valuable storage space on your Windows 10 PC. Regular maintenance ensures that your computer remains clutter-free and performs at its best.

How much free space do you have on your PC right now? Let us know in the comments!