Windows · Storage & Backup

Manage Storage & Disk Space

Storage 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.

How often: Review monthly; Storage Sense runs automatically on its own schedule

How to open Storage Settings

  1. Open Settings → System → Storage.
  2. Review the storage breakdown for your main drive.
  3. Turn on Storage Sense and configure its schedule.
  4. Click 'Cleanup recommendations' to remove unnecessary files.

What you should know

  • View a breakdown of storage usage by category (apps, system, media, temp files).
  • Enable Storage Sense to automatically delete temporary files and empty the Recycle Bin.
  • Move new content to a different drive to save space on your main disk.
  • Uninstall unused apps directly from the storage overview.

Deleting files through Storage Sense is permanent once removed from the Recycle Bin. Review what will be cleared before enabling automatic cleanup.

Why it matters

Running low on disk space slows down Windows, can block critical updates from installing, and eventually prevents you from saving new files entirely, so keeping tabs on storage is essential upkeep rather than a one-time task. Storage Sense automates the tedious work of clearing temp files and emptying the Recycle Bin, which most users never do manually. Understanding what's actually consuming your space also helps you decide whether you need a bigger drive or simply need to clean up neglected downloads and duplicate media.

Best practices

  • Enable Storage Sense and set it to run automatically rather than relying on manual cleanup.
  • Review 'Cleanup recommendations' periodically to catch large unused files and old Windows installation backups.
  • Move large media libraries like Photos, Videos, or Music to a secondary drive if your main drive is filling up.
  • Uninstall apps you haven't used in months directly from the storage breakdown view instead of hunting through the general app list.

Common problems and fixes

'Windows.old' folder is taking up tens of gigabytes after an update.
Use 'Cleanup recommendations' under Storage settings or Disk Cleanup's 'Clean up system files' option to remove it once you're confident you don't need to roll back.
Storage Sense doesn't seem to free up as much space as expected.
Check its configured schedule and thresholds under Storage Sense settings — by default it may only run monthly and leave recent downloads untouched.
Drive shows nearly full but the visible file sizes don't add up.
Check for hidden system files, System Restore points, or hibernation files (hiberfil.sys) using Disk Cleanup's system file cleanup option.

Tips and tricks

  • Use 'Cleanup recommendations' to find and remove large files you forgot about, sorted by how much space they'll free up.
  • Configure Storage Sense to delete files in Downloads after a set number of days if you tend to forget about old downloads.
  • Check 'Temporary files' under the storage breakdown for a safe one-click way to clear caches without affecting personal data.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to let Storage Sense delete files automatically?

Yes for its default targets like temporary files and old Recycle Bin contents, but review its Downloads folder cleanup setting carefully, since by default it can delete old downloads you might still want.

How do I see what's using the most space on my drive?

Open Settings → System → Storage and click your main drive to see a categorized breakdown by apps, system files, temporary files, and media.

Can I change where new apps and files are saved by default?

Yes, under Storage → Advanced storage settings → Where new content is saved, you can redirect apps, documents, music, and more to a different drive.

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