How to free up disk space in Windows 11
Windows 11 can find files you can safely remove. Use Cleanup recommendations to clear space now, and turn on Storage Sense to keep doing it automatically.
Clear space now: Cleanup recommendations
- Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Storage.
- Select Cleanup recommendations.
- Review the categories, such as Temporary files and Large or unused files, and tick what you want to remove. Windows shows how much space each choice would free.
- Select Clean up in each section.
Keep it tidy: Storage Sense
- Go to Settings, System, Storage.
- Set Storage Sense to On.
- Choose how often it runs, and when to remove files from the Recycle Bin and from your Downloads folder.
Microsoft says Storage Sense works on your system drive and doesn't touch your Downloads folder or cloud storage unless you set it to. Microsoft's article does not say what its default frequency is or give a Run now button, so look at the options on screen.
If something goes wrong
- Space not freed. Deleted files still take space until you empty the Recycle Bin.
- "Previous version of Windows" in the list. Microsoft warns that if you delete it, you can't go back to the earlier Windows version, and that this can't be undone.
- Low Disk Space error keeps coming back. Microsoft's article says a full Temp folder can be refilled by Microsoft Store files; it recommends resetting the Store, clearing the Store cache and running the Windows Update troubleshooter.
Stay safe
- Look at what a cleanup will delete before you click, especially Downloads and Large or unused files, which may hold documents you want.
- Back up photos and documents you can't replace before a big clean-up.
- Lookalike sites copy the official look, so check the address before you type anything.
Pocko is not part of Microsoft and this guide is not official. Windows updates change menus a little; if a step looks different, check Microsoft's own help.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Free up drive space in Windows
- Microsoft Support: Manage drive space with Storage Sense
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