Ways to Free Up Storage Space on Windows 11

Step 1: Clear Temporary Files

Free up space by deleting temporary files that aren’t needed for Windows 11 operations. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings from the Start menu.
2. Navigate to System.
3. Select Storage from the sidebar.
4. Under Local Disk, click on Temporary files.
5. Select the temporary files to delete.
6. Click Remove files to confirm removal.

Pro Tip: Regularly check your temporary files to keep your system clutter-free.

Step 2: Enable Storage Sense

Storage Sense can automatically manage temporary files and free up space. Here’s how to enable it:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Access Storage Sense.
5. Turn on the Automatic User Content Cleanup option.
6. Click Run Storage Sense now to immediately clear space.

Pro Tip: Schedule Storage Sense to run regularly to maintain optimal storage levels automatically.

Step 3: Disable Hibernation

Disabling hibernation can free up significant disk space. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt or PowerShell, right-click, and select Run as administrator.
3. Type powercfg /hibernate off and press Enter.
4. To confirm, type powercfg /availablesleepstates and press Enter.

Pro Tip: Re-enabling hibernation is as simple as running powercfg /hibernate on if you find you need it later.

Step 4: Perform a Malware Scan

Malware can consume valuable storage space. Follow these steps to scan your system:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Windows Security and launch the application.
3. Click on Virus & threat protection.
4. Select Scan options.
5. Choose Full scan and click Scan now.

Pro Tip: Schedule regular scans for the best protection against future threats.

Step 5: Uninstall Unused Applications

Remove applications that are no longer needed to quickly reclaim space:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click Apps.
3. Select Installed apps.
4. Choose the app to uninstall.
5. Click the menu button (three dots) and select Uninstall.
6. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking Uninstall again.

Pro Tip: Review your applications at least once a month to keep your system optimized.

How do I know if my Windows 11 is running low on storage space?

Will disabling hibernation affect my PC’s performance?