The safe way to free up disk space on Windows is to start with changes you can undo, such as uninstalling apps you no longer use, and finish with changes you cannot, such as emptying the Recycle Bin or removing system files. Check the list before each step, and stop as soon as you have enough room. This guide covers Windows 11 and Windows 10 and uses only tools that come with Windows.
Measure first
Open File Explorer, select This PC, and look at the bar under Devices and drives. Microsoft describes the same check in its guide to freeing up drive space in Windows (checked in October 2026). Write down the free space on each drive. You will compare against it at the end.
In Settings, go to System, then Storage. According to Microsoft's Storage Sense page, you are in a low disk state when the capacity bar there turns red. If you see red, free space is already getting in the way of updates, so do this soon. If the bar is not red, you have time to go slowly.
Work from reversible to irreversible
Not every cleanup step carries the same risk. This table orders the common ones. Go down it and stop when you have enough space.
| Step | What it affects | Can you undo it? |
|---|---|---|
| Uninstall unused apps | The app and usually its program files | Yes, by reinstalling. Settings stored with the app may be lost. |
| Make cloud files online-only | Local copies of files that are also in OneDrive | Yes, if you have a network connection and free space |
| Move large files to another drive | Location of files you keep | Yes, move them back |
| Clear temporary files | Files apps and Windows can create again | Mostly no, but they are meant to be disposable |
| Empty the Recycle Bin | Files you already deleted once | No |
| Remove system files such as the previous Windows version | Your ability to roll back or uninstall updates | No |
Step 1: Uninstall apps you no longer use
Large apps and games are often the biggest single saving. In Windows 11, open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps. In Windows 10, open Apps, then Apps & features. Sort by size if the list offers it, and remove what you recognise and no longer use. Windows 11's Cleanup recommendations also has an Unused apps section that does the sorting for you.
Before you remove an app that holds your own work, such as a video editor with project files inside its own folder, check where it keeps them. Uninstalling can remove data stored inside the app.
Step 2: Keep files in the cloud, not on the disk
If you use OneDrive, Files On-Demand can keep a small placeholder on your PC instead of the full file. Microsoft's page on saving disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand says that right-clicking a file or folder and choosing Free up space turns it into an online-only file, and that online-only files do not take up space on your computer.
This does not delete anything. The catch is that you cannot open an online-only file without a connection. Files you marked Always keep on this device stay where they are.
Storage Sense can do this automatically. Microsoft says that when it is on, you choose how long a file can go unopened before it becomes online-only, and that the setting does not permanently delete files.
Step 3: Move what you keep but rarely open
Photos, videos and old project folders often make up most of a full drive. Microsoft's guide suggests opening the Videos, Music, Pictures and Downloads folders first, switching File Explorer to Details view, and sorting by size to put the biggest files at the top. Then cut and paste the ones you want to keep onto an external drive.
Moving beats deleting for anything you might want again. Check that the copy opens on the other drive before you remove the original from your PC, and keep a second copy of anything you cannot replace.
To stop the problem coming back, Windows can save new content on another drive. In Windows 11, go to Settings, System, Storage, Advanced storage settings, then Where new content is saved, as described on Microsoft's drive space page.
Step 4: Clear temporary files, with the list open
Go to Settings, System, Storage, then Temporary files. Windows lists each category with its size. Read the whole list before you tick anything. Microsoft's Storage Sense page uses this same screen to remove a previous Windows installation, which is why it deserves attention: one of the boxes may be a system item you did not intend to remove. If a category such as Downloads appears, open that folder first and look at what is in it.
In Windows 11, Cleanup recommendations on the same page groups suggestions as Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud and Unused apps, and shows how much each would save. Labels differ between Windows builds, so if your screen does not match, check Microsoft's documentation for your version. Our temp files and caches guide explains which temporary items are disposable and which only look it.
You can also turn on Storage Sense on the Storage page. Microsoft says it is off by default, runs when you are low on disk space once enabled, and by default does not touch the Downloads folder or cloud content. It works only on the system drive, usually C:.
Step 5: Empty the Recycle Bin last
A deleted file keeps using space until the Recycle Bin is emptied, and Microsoft's guide reminds you of this. Open the Recycle Bin, scan the list for anything you want back, restore it, and only then empty it. Emptying is permanent.
Storage Sense can empty the bin for you after a set number of days. If you turn that on, choose a period long enough to notice a mistake.
Step 6: Treat system files as a separate decision
Windows.old, update leftovers, the hibernation file and restore points are the last things to touch, because removing them takes away a way back. Microsoft's own warning on the Windows.old page is that deleting the previous version cannot be undone. Our guide to system files explains each one and the supported way to shrink it.
Two things you should never do by hand: delete files inside the WinSxS folder, and delete or take ownership of System Volume Information. Microsoft warns that removing files from WinSxS may severely damage your system, so that your PC might not boot and cannot be updated.
A preview habit that prevents most mistakes
The same five questions apply to every cleanup tool, whether built in or not.
- What exactly will be removed? Read the list or the folder path, not just the total.
- Can it be created again? Caches can. Your documents cannot.
- Where does it go? Recycle Bin, permanent deletion, or a move?
- Is anything in use? Close the app first.
- Did the free space change? Compare with the number you wrote down.
If a step frees almost nothing, stop doing it. The space is somewhere else, and our guide on finding what takes up space shows how to find it.
If you still see a Low Disk Space error after cleaning
Microsoft notes one specific cause. After using Cleanup recommendations, you may get a Low Disk Space warning if the Temp folder is filling with app installer files from the Microsoft Store. The suggested fix is to run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter, clear the Store cache by running wsreset.exe from the Run box (Windows key + R), run the Windows Update troubleshooter, and restart. Both troubleshooters are under Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters.
Free up disk space in a few clicks with SafeClean
SafeClean is a disk cleaner for Windows 10 and 11. It shows free space for every drive, lists temp files, app caches and aged Recycle Bin items with their path, size and reason, and removes only what you approve. Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop and Downloads are left alone, free space is measured again afterwards, and every action is saved in a log.
Get SafeClean on Microsoft Store Features and pricing
Frequently asked questions
Does freeing up disk space make Windows faster?
Microsoft says a PC that is running out of storage may be slower and may have trouble installing updates. Once there is enough free space, deleting more files does not make Windows faster, so there is no reason to keep cleaning past that point.
Is Storage Sense safe to turn on?
It is built into Windows and, by default, it cleans temporary files and leaves your Downloads folder and cloud content alone. Review its settings first, especially the Recycle Bin and Downloads options, because those delete files after a set number of days.
Can I clean drives other than C:?
Storage Sense works on the system drive only. For other drives, Microsoft points to Advanced storage settings, then Storage used on other drives, where you can see what is using space and decide by hand.
Is it safe to delete the Windows.old folder?
It is safe in the sense that Windows provides a supported way to remove it, but it cannot be undone and you lose the option to go back to the previous Windows version. Microsoft says it is deleted automatically ten days after an upgrade.
Why did freeing space not change the number in File Explorer?
Files in the Recycle Bin still use space until it is emptied, as Microsoft's guide reminds you. Empty it and check again. If the number is still about the same, the files you removed were small, and the space is somewhere else.