Windows Storage & Backup settings

Manage space, back up your data, and stay protected against loss.

Storage SettingsStorage Settings let you view how much disk space is being used by apps, system files, temporary files, and media. You can free up space automatically using Storage Sense or manually remove unwanted files.
BackupWindows Backup uses OneDrive to continuously back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, along with your list of installed apps, saved Wi-Fi network passwords, and select personalization settings like your theme and wallpaper. It's designed to make restoring your setup on a new PC, or after a reset, far less painful than starting from scratch.
Storage SenseStorage Sense automatically frees up disk space by deleting temporary files, emptying the Recycle Bin after a set number of days, and clearing out old files from your Downloads folder on a schedule you configure. Once set up, it runs quietly in the background so you don't have to remember to manually clean up disk clutter yourself.
File HistoryFile History is a legacy Control Panel backup tool that continuously copies versions of files in your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites to an external drive or network location. Unlike a single backup snapshot, it keeps multiple versions over time, letting you restore not just a deleted file but an earlier version of one you've since changed.
OneDrive Sync SettingsConfigures how OneDrive syncs files between this PC and the cloud, including which folders sync, Files On-Demand behavior, and bandwidth limits for uploads and downloads.
Disk CleanupScans your drive for temporary files, system caches, old Windows update files, and other reclaimable data, then lets you safely delete them to free up disk space.
Storage SpacesLets you combine multiple physical drives into a single resilient storage pool, protecting against individual drive failure or expanding usable capacity across devices.
Removable Storage AccessManages how Windows handles removable storage devices like USB drives and SD cards, including connection notifications, battery usage behavior, and transfer settings.
Default Save LocationsLets you set the default drive for new apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos, which is especially useful when a PC has both a small system drive and a larger secondary drive.
Manage Disks and VolumesProvides a modern interface to view all connected physical disks and their volumes, letting you create, resize, format, or delete partitions without opening the legacy Disk Management console.

Other Windows categories