How to Free Up Disk Space on Windows 10 for Better Performance

Step 1: Delete Temporary Files

Temporary files can accumulate, taking valuable space. Here’s how to remove them:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select System.

3. Click on Storage.

4. Access Temporary files.

5. Select the desired temporary files you wish to delete.

6. Click on Remove files.

Pro Tip: Regularly check this section to manage space effectively.

Step 2: Run Storage Sense

Enable Storage Sense to automate disk space management:

1. Open Settings.

2. Choose System.

3. Click on Storage.

4. Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now.

5. Activate Storage Sense and adjust the frequencies for automatic cleanup.

Pro Tip: Configure settings to delete files from Recycle Bin after a specific period.

Step 3: Utilize Disk Cleanup

Use the legacy Disk Cleanup tool for thorough space reclamation:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Right-click on the system drive (usually C: ) and select Properties.

3. Press Disk Cleanup.

4. Select the files to remove and confirm your choice.

Pro Tip: Regular cleanup can prevent accumulation of unnecessary files.

Step 4: Uninstall Unused Apps

Get rid of applications you no longer use to free up additional storage space:

1. Navigate to Settings.

2. Click Apps, then select Apps & features.

3. Select an app and click Uninstall.

Pro Tip: Review your installed applications regularly to identify candidates for uninstallation.

Step 5: Disable Hibernation

Disabling hibernation can recover a significant amount of disk space:

1. Open Start and search for Command Prompt.

2. Right-click and select Run as administrator.

3. Type powercfg /hibernate off and hit Enter.

Pro Tip: This will delete the hibernation file, providing space back to your drive.

Step 6: Reset Search Index Database

To clear unnecessary data from the search index and free up space:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Search and then Searching Windows.

3. Navigate to Advanced Search Indexer Settings.

4. Hit Rebuild under the Troubleshooting section.

Pro Tip: Regularly rebuilding the index keeps it efficient and less space-hungry.

Step 7: Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand

This feature allows you to keep files online instead of on your hard drive:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the Taskbar and choose Settings.

2. Go to Sync and backup.

3. Click on Files On-Demand and select Free up space.

Pro Tip: Ensure you have internet access to retrieve online-only files.

Step 8: Enable NTFS Compression

Compress files and folders to save disk space:

1. Right-click on the folder you wish to compress and select Properties.

2. Click Advanced and check Compress contents to save disk space.

3. Apply changes to the folder and all contained files.

Pro Tip: Compression may impact file access speed; use as needed.

Step 9: Activate CompactOS

This feature compresses Windows system files:

1. Search for Command Prompt and run as administrator.

2. Type compact.exe /compactOS:always to enable CompactOS.

Pro Tip: This is particularly useful on devices with limited storage.

Step 10: Move Files to Another Drive

Transfer large files to external drives or other storage locations:

1. Open File Explorer and locate the files you want to move.

2. Select the files, right-click, and choose Cut.

3. Navigate to the destination drive and select Paste.

Pro Tip: Focus on large files such as videos and backups to maximize space reclaimed.

How often should I clean up my disk space?

Will deleting temporary files affect my system?