Freeing up disk space on your Windows computer can significantly improve performance and prevent crashes caused by a cluttered hard drive. This guide will walk you through how to clean your C drive on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. By following these steps, you can reclaim disk space, optimize your system, and speed up your PC. Make sure to stick with this tutorial until the end, so you don’t miss any crucial steps.
Key Takeaways
- Utilize built-in Windows tools like Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense to remove unnecessary files and optimize drives.
- Use free software to clear temporary files, uninstall unwanted programs, and identify large files for deletion or relocation.
- For advanced users, moving user folders from the C drive to another drive can free up significant space.
Important Note Before Cleaning the C Drive:
Before starting with the guide, make sure to backup all important files and folders on your computer. This tutorial involves deleting files, and I am not responsible for any data loss that may occur. Please double-check everything before proceeding.
Also, take note of your current disk space usage before beginning. This will help you track how much space you’ve freed up, and I’d love to hear your results in the comments!
Use Built-In Windows Tools to Free Up Disk Space
Step 1: Disk Cleanup
Start by opening This PC on your computer. Right-click on the C drive and choose Properties. From here, click on Disk Cleanup. You’ll see a list of files that can be deleted. For maximum space, select everything.
Next, click on Clean up system files. This will bring up a similar screen, but with additional options like Windows Update Cleanup. If you recently upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 and want to roll back, uncheck this box. Otherwise, select all the options and click OK to start the cleanup process.
Step 2: Optimize Drives
Once Disk Cleanup is complete, switch over to the Tools tab and click on Optimize. Ensure that Scheduled Optimization is on (set to weekly by default). You can manually optimize each drive as well by selecting the drive and clicking Optimize.
Step 3: Enable Storage Sense
Type Storage Sense in the search bar and hit Enter. Toggle Storage Sense on, then click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now. Review the available settings, and when you’re done, click Clean now.
Clear Temporary Files Using Free Software
For a deeper clean, download the portable version of HiBit Uninstaller from their website. Once installed, navigate to the Tools menu and select Junk Files Cleaner. Choose the areas you want to clean, such as temporary files and old prefetch data, then click Clean.
Next, head to Advanced Cleaner to scan and clean up your drives. You can also use Hybrid Uninstaller to remove unnecessary Windows Store apps and other programs that are hogging disk space.
Uninstall Unnecessary Software and Games
To free up even more space, use HiBit Uninstaller to get rid of large programs and games. Sort the list by size to identify the biggest space hogs, then right-click and choose Force Removal. This option thoroughly removes the program and any leftover files.
Move or Delete Large Files with Free Software
If you’re still low on space, download WizTree. This free software scans your entire disk and identifies the largest files. Once identified, you have the option to move or delete these files.
If you need the files but not on the C drive, move them to another drive with more available space. For unimportant files, delete them by right-clicking and choosing Delete. To permanently remove them, hold down Shift while clicking Delete.
Advanced Method: Move User Files from C Drive
A less-known trick to free up space on the C drive is moving your user files (Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.) to another drive. Here’s how:
- Create a new folder on the drive where you want to store these files. Name it something like User Files.
- Navigate to the Users folder on your C drive, and right-click on the folder you want to move (e.g., Desktop).
- Go to Properties, click the Location tab, and then click Move. Choose the new folder you created earlier and confirm the change.
Repeat this process for other user folders like Documents, Pictures, and Music. This method can free up substantial space and improve your PC’s performance.
Conclusion
By following this tutorial, you can free up a significant amount of space on your C drive in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This not only makes your computer run faster but also extends the life of your hardware by reducing strain on your drives. Don’t forget to back up important files before starting and keep track of how much space you’re able to free up!
FAQs
1. How much space should I keep free on my C drive?
It’s recommended to keep at least 15-20% of your C drive’s total space free to ensure smooth system performance.
2. What happens if I delete Windows Update Cleanup files?
Deleting these files will remove the option to roll back to a previous version of Windows. Only delete them if you’re sure you won’t need to downgrade.
3. Is it safe to compress my C drive?
Compressing your C drive can save space, but it may also slow down your system. It’s generally not recommended unless you’re desperate for space.
4. Can I move installed programs to another drive?
Yes, but it’s more complicated than moving user files. You’ll need to uninstall the program and then reinstall it on the new drive.
5. Will uninstalling Windows Store apps affect system performance?
Uninstalling unused apps can free up space and improve performance slightly, but it won’t make a huge difference unless those apps are consuming a lot of resources.
