Free Up Disk Space on Windows: 4 Safe Steps
Written and checked with AI using the references below. This is not human expert review.
Quick answer
Use Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup to delete temp files, then uninstall unused apps to recover the most disk space safely. If Windows reports drive errors during any cleanup step, stop and back up your files before continuing.
Why low disk space slows your PC
Windows needs free space to write temporary files, run updates, and manage virtual memory. When a drive fills up, the system slows down noticeably. Four built-in tools can recover significant space without touching any important files.
Work through the steps below in order. Each one is faster and less disruptive than the next. If you see drive errors at any point, stop and back up your data before continuing — a failing drive needs a backup first. You can also check other reasons your PC might be running slowly, since a full drive is just one possible cause.
Step 1: Run Storage Sense for automatic cleanup
Storage Sense is the fastest option. It scans and removes temp files automatically, with no manual file selection needed.
Windows 11
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Select Storage Sense.
- Select Run Storage Sense now.
Windows 10
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Turn on Storage Sense.
- Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
- Under Free up space now, select Clean now.
When it finishes, check the storage bar at the top of the Storage page. If you still need more space, move to Step 2.
Step 2: Remove temp files manually to choose what goes
The manual path lets you pick specific categories. This is useful if you want to keep certain items Storage Sense would remove automatically.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Select Temporary files.
- Check the categories you want to remove.
- Select Remove files.
This path works the same way on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Step 3: Use Disk Cleanup for Windows Update files
Disk Cleanup has one category Storage Sense does not always surface: Windows Update Cleanup. This removes copies of Windows updates that are already installed and no longer needed. It requires administrator permission.
- Select Start, type Disk Cleanup, and open it from the results.
- Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
- After the initial scan, select Clean up system files. This re-runs the scan with admin access.
- Check Windows Update Cleanup and any other categories you want.
- Select OK, then Delete Files to confirm.
Other categories you may see include Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, DirectX Shader Cache, and Delivery Optimization Files. All are safe to remove.
Step 4: Uninstall unused apps for the biggest recovery
Unused apps often take up far more space than temp files. Removing them also cuts background activity that can slow your PC.
Windows 11
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find an app you no longer use.
- Select More options (…), then select Uninstall.
Windows 10
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps.
- Select Apps & features.
- Select the app, then select Uninstall. Confirm if prompted.
Sort the list by size to find the biggest space users first.
Optional: Disable hibernation to recover RAM-sized space
Windows keeps a hidden file called Hiberfil.sys on your C: drive. Its size equals your installed RAM — so the more RAM your PC has, the more space this file occupies.
Disabling hibernation deletes that file. Do not do this if you use the Hibernate option or rely on hybrid sleep. Microsoft warns that disabling hibernation also disables hybrid sleep. If hybrid sleep is on and a power cut happens, unsaved work can be lost.
If you do not use hibernation and want to reclaim the space:
- Press Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
- Type
powercfg.exe /hibernate offand press Enter. - Type
exitand press Enter.
To re-enable hibernation later, repeat the steps and type powercfg.exe /hibernate on instead.
When to stop and back up first
Pause any cleanup if Windows reports drive errors during the process. Drive errors can mean the drive is failing. Back up your files before doing anything else. Cleanup on a failing drive risks permanent data loss.
If the drive is still nearly full after all four steps, move large files — videos, photos, downloads — to an external drive or cloud storage. That is the next practical option when built-in cleanup is not enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete everything in the Temporary Files category?
Yes. Items listed under Temporary Files in Settings and in Disk Cleanup are files Windows has already flagged as safe to remove. Disk Cleanup only lists files not currently in use and created at least 48 hours ago. Check each category's description before selecting it to confirm what will be deleted.
Will disabling hibernation affect Sleep mode?
Regular Sleep mode is not affected. However, Microsoft confirms that disabling hibernation also disables hybrid sleep. If your PC uses hybrid sleep — which saves open work to disk before sleeping — turning off hibernation removes that safety net. A power cut during hybrid sleep could then cause unsaved work to be lost.
How do I re-enable hibernation if I change my mind?
Open Command Prompt as Administrator, type powercfg.exe /hibernate on, and press Enter. The Hiberfil.sys file is recreated immediately, and the Hibernate option returns to the Start menu power options.
Does Disk Cleanup work the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, the Disk Cleanup tool (cleanmgr.exe) works the same way on both versions. Windows 11 also added Cleanup Recommendations inside Settings as an easier alternative, but Disk Cleanup remains available and is not deprecated as of 2024, according to Microsoft's Windows release health documentation.
What should I do if Storage Sense does not free enough space?
Work through the remaining steps: manual temp file removal, Disk Cleanup (especially Windows Update Cleanup), and uninstalling unused apps. Sort installed apps by size to find the biggest space users quickly. If the drive is still nearly full, moving large personal files to external storage or cloud storage is the next practical option.
Sources
- Disk Cleanup - Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org
- Tips to improve PC performance in Windows | Microsoft Support · support.microsoft.com
- How to disable and re-enable hibernation - Windows Client · learn.microsoft.com
Written by AI; checked through automated evidence and editorial review. References retrieved October 11, 2026.
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