Tips for Clearing Space on a Windows Computer.
Get rid of what you don't need and regain your motivation.
The number of available streaming services has increased, but even so, storage on Windows PCs can fill up quickly. Items like games, photographs, movies, and applications take up considerable space, and before long, that SSD can run out of free capacity. A cluttered hard drive not only affects system performance but also impacts Windows updates. However, there are ways to prevent storage space from diminishing, whether by using built-in Microsoft tools or improving the organization of your files and folders.
Organizing Files and Folders
It's essential to review how files are organized on your PC. A good structure makes it easier to locate the documents you need, as well as to identify those that are no longer useful and can be deleted. Windows provides default folders such as Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos, which you can use as you prefer. Additionally, you can pin any folder to the Start menu or Quick Access panel by right-clicking on it.
Deleting Files and Folders
When you decide to start freeing up space, it's advisable to analyze which applications and types of files are taking up the most storage. From Windows Settings, you can access System > Storage. There, you can explore categories like Temporary Files and Documents for more information and delete unnecessary files. To see which files are taking up the most space in a specific folder, use File Explorer and select Sort > More > Size. Once you identify files you want to delete, simply press Delete on them, and they will move to the Recycle Bin. You can empty the bin manually or set up the "Storage Sense" feature in Windows to do it automatically.
Using Storage Sense
Storage Sense is a built-in tool in Windows that automatically cleans up various types of system files, such as temporary files and those in the Recycle Bin. You can access this feature from Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense. By default, this utility will activate when disk space is low and will remove local copies of files backed up in OneDrive that haven't been accessed in over 30 days. You can adjust how often you want Storage Sense to run and choose how long files will remain in the Recycle Bin before being permanently deleted.
Cleanup Recommendations
From the Storage page in Windows Settings, there is an option called "Cleanup Recommendations" that offers suggestions on how to save space. Options may include deleting temporary files, large files, and unused files. By selecting groups of files to delete and clicking Clean, the deletion process starts. You can also access "Advanced Options" for more cleanup ideas, such as unnecessary Windows update files.
Uninstalling Applications
Applications usually take up a considerable portion of storage. To identify which ones you might want to uninstall, check the "Cleanup Recommendations" under "Unused Apps." Additionally, in Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, you can sort applications by size to see which ones occupy the most space. Simply click on the three dots next to a program and select Uninstall to remove it along with its associated files. An additional recommendation is to delete older games that you haven’t used, especially if you have gaming libraries installed, such as in the Steam client where you can easily uninstall them.
