Windows 11 Low Disk Space or C Drive Full? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Unnecessary temporary files
• Large personal files, especially in Downloads, Videos, Music and Pictures
• Deleted files still sitting in the Recycle Bin
• The previous Windows installation (Windows.old) kept after an upgrade
• OneDrive files stored in full on your PC
• A virus or other malware

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through these steps in order and check how much space you’ve freed after each one before moving on.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check how much space is left

   File Explorer and Storage settings both show how full your drive is.

   Select File Explorer from the taskbar, then select This PC on the left. The available space on your drive appears under Devices and drives.

   You can also open Settings, select System, then Storage. You’re in a low disk state when the capacity bar there turns red.

   Good to know

   Windows shows notifications about low storage, or asks you to turn on Storage Sense, when your drive is running out of free space.

2. 2

   Step 2: Use Cleanup recommendations

   Windows suggests files you can remove and shows how much space you’ll get back.

   Open Settings, select System, then Storage, then Cleanup recommendations.

   Review each category and select the items you’d like to remove. Windows suggests files for you and shows the amount of space you’ll save. Check that you don’t need the files you select, and back up anything important first. Then select the Clean up button for each section.

   • Temporary files
   • Large or unused files
   • Files synced to the cloud
   • Unused apps

   Good to know

   If it’s been fewer than 10 days since you upgraded Windows, your previous version of Windows is listed here as a system file you can delete. Deleting it removes your Windows.old folder. This can’t be undone, and you won’t be able to go back to your previous version of Windows.

3. 3

   Step 3: Turn on Storage Sense

   Storage Sense can clear temporary files and old Recycle Bin items for you.

   Open Settings, select System, then Storage, and set Storage Sense to On. With the default settings, it runs when your device is low on disk space and cleans up unnecessary temporary files. Recycle Bin content is deleted after some time, but your Downloads folder and OneDrive are left alone unless you set it up to clean them.

   To change what it does, select Storage Sense on the Storage page. Under Run Storage Sense, choose how often it runs. Under Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: and Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven’t been opened for more than:, choose when those files are deleted. Before you turn these on, check your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder for anything you want to keep.

   Good to know

   Storage Sense works on your system drive only, usually C:, and runs only when you’re signed in and online for more than 10 minutes. Its settings apply only to your account.

4. 4

   Step 4: Delete or move large personal files

   Videos, music, photos and downloads can take up a lot of space.

   Select File Explorer from the taskbar. Under This PC on the left, select a folder to see what’s saved in it. The Videos, Music, Pictures and Downloads folders usually contain the largest files.

   To see file sizes, select View, then Details. Right-click in the open space, select Sort by, then Size to show the largest files at the top.

   Check that you no longer need a file before you delete it, and back up anything important. To keep files you rarely use, connect a USB drive or SD card, select the files, select Cut on the ribbon, go to the external drive and select Paste. You can still use them when the drive is connected, but they won’t take up space on your PC.

5. 5

   Step 5: Empty the Recycle Bin

   Files you delete keep using space until they leave the Recycle Bin.

   After you delete files, empty the Recycle Bin to completely remove them from your PC and free up space. Before you empty it, check the Recycle Bin for anything you still need.

   Storage Sense can also delete Recycle Bin items automatically. Set the timing under Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over:, and check the Recycle Bin for anything you need before items reach that age.

6. 6

   Step 6: Remove the previous Windows installation

   After an upgrade, Windows keeps your old version in a Windows.old folder.

   The Windows.old folder contains files that give you the option to go back to your previous version of Windows. If you need to free up drive space, you can delete it.

   Open Settings, select System, then Storage. Under disk usage, select Temporary files, make sure Previous Windows Installation(s) is checked, then select Remove files.

   Good to know

   This can’t be undone. After you delete it, you won’t be able to go back to your previous version of Windows.

7. 7

   Step 7: Keep OneDrive files online only

   OneDrive files can live in the cloud instead of taking up full space on your PC.

   Turn on OneDrive Files On-Demand. It keeps a smaller file on your drive instead of the full-size file stored in your OneDrive account in the cloud, and you can still get to your OneDrive files from your PC.

   Storage Sense can also make inactive cloud files online-only. When you’re signed in to your cloud account, select Storage Sense in Storage settings and choose a time under Content will become online-only if not opened for more than:. Starting in Windows 11, version 22H2, the default for OneDrive is 30 days.

   Good to know

   This doesn’t permanently delete any files. They can be made available on your PC again when there’s free space and a network connection. Files marked Always keep on this device aren’t managed by Storage Sense.

8. 8

   Step 8: Save new files to another drive

   If you have a second drive, Windows can save new content there instead.

   Open Settings, select System, then Storage, then Advanced storage settings, then Where new content is saved.

   For each content type, choose a drive from the drop-down menu. If the drive you want isn’t listed, make sure it’s connected to your PC.

9. 9

   Step 9: Scan for malware

   A virus or other malware can use up a lot of drive space.

   Sometimes malware consumes significant drive space by corrupting your system files. If you suspect your PC is infected, use an antivirus program like Windows Security to run a virus scan and cleanup.

10. 10

    Step 10: Fix a Temp folder that keeps filling up

    A Low Disk Space error right after a cleanup can come from Microsoft Store files.

    If you used Cleanup recommendations and then see a Low Disk Space error, your Temp folder may be filling with application (.appx) files used by Microsoft Store.

    Open Settings, select System, then Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters. Next to Windows Store Apps, select Run.

    Press the Windows Logo Key + R, type wsreset.exe and select OK. A blank Command Prompt window opens, closes after about ten seconds, and the Store opens.

    Back in Other troubleshooters, select Run next to Windows Update. Then restart your PC and check whether the problem is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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