A full hard drive makes a laptop feel slow, stops updates installing and leaves no room for new photos or files. The good news is that most laptops can recover several gigabytes with built-in Windows tools and a little tidying, without installing anything extra. This guide walks through the safest steps in a sensible order. Menu names can vary slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11 and between versions, so treat the wording below as a guide.
Step 1: See what is taking up the space
Open Settings, choose System, then Storage. Windows shows a breakdown by category such as Apps and features, Temporary files, Documents, Pictures and Videos. Click a category to see more detail. This tells you where the big wins are before you delete anything, so you do not waste time on tiny files.
Step 2: Clear temporary files
In the same Storage screen, select Temporary files. Windows lists items such as temporary files, the Recycle Bin, thumbnails and downloaded update leftovers. Tick the ones you are happy to remove and click Remove files. Read the descriptions carefully: the Downloads folder may appear in this list, and it can contain files you still want, so leave it unticked unless you have checked it.
You can also search the Start menu for Disk Cleanup, pick your main drive and tick the safe categories. If you see an option to clean up system files, it can remove old Windows update files, which is often a large saving. After a major update, older versions of Windows may be kept for a short time for roll-back purposes, so only remove them if the laptop is running well.
Step 3: Turn on Storage Sense
Storage Sense is a built-in feature that removes temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin automatically on a schedule you choose. Switch it on in Settings under System and Storage, then open its options to choose how often it runs. It is a good set-and-forget way to stop the problem coming back.
Step 4: Uninstall apps you no longer use
Go to Settings, Apps, then Installed apps (or Apps and features on older versions). Sort the list by size and look for programmes you have not opened in months, old trial software and games you have finished with. Uninstall them one at a time. If you are unsure what something is, search for its name before removing it, and avoid uninstalling anything from your laptop maker unless you know what it does.
Step 5: Find large files and old downloads
Open File Explorer, go to your Downloads, Videos and Documents folders and sort by size. Installer files, old video recordings and duplicate copies are common space hogs. Move anything you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage, then delete the rest. Empty the Recycle Bin afterwards, because deleted files still occupy space until you do.
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The same approach works on mobile: if your phone is also nearly full, our guide to freeing up storage on an Android phone follows a similar process.
Step 6: Move photos and files to the cloud or an external drive
Photos and videos are usually the biggest personal files. Copy them to an external drive or a cloud service, check that they open correctly, and only then remove them from the laptop. Keep at least two copies of anything irreplaceable. Our photo backup guide explains a simple backup routine you can adapt for a laptop.
If you use OneDrive, the Files On-Demand setting keeps files in the cloud and downloads them only when you open them, which can free a lot of room. Check your cloud plan’s storage allowance first, as free plans are limited.
Step 7: Check your browser and app caches
Web browsers store cached data that can grow large. In your browser settings, find the option to clear cached images and files. You do not need to clear passwords or saved logins for this. Messaging and creative apps can also keep big caches, and they usually have a clear cache option in their own settings.
Things you should not do
- Do not delete files from the Windows or Program Files folders by hand.
- Do not download so-called PC cleaner programmes from unknown websites; many are unnecessary and some are unsafe.
- Do not delete the hibernation or page files unless you understand the effect on your laptop.
- Do not wipe anything without a backup of important documents.
A slow laptop is not always a storage problem. If it still struggles, a restart, pending updates or an ageing battery may be to blame; see our tips to make your laptop battery last longer.
Frequently asked questions
How much free space should I keep?
A common rule of thumb is to keep at least 10 to 15 percent of the drive free so Windows has room for updates and temporary files. This is a guideline, not a hard rule.
Is it safe to use Disk Cleanup?
Yes, when you read each category and only tick items you understand. It is a Microsoft tool built into Windows.
Will deleting temporary files break anything?
Temporary files are designed to be removable. Windows recreates what it needs. Just keep your Downloads and personal folders out of the clean-up unless you have checked them.
Should I buy a bigger drive instead?
If you have tidied up and still run out of room, an external drive or cloud plan is often the cheapest fix. Replacing internal storage depends on your model, so check what your laptop supports.
Why did my free space vanish after an update?
Large updates keep temporary and roll-back files for a while. Running Disk Cleanup with system files included often recovers the space later.
Work through these steps in order, check your free space after each one, and stop once you have a comfortable margin.
