Skip to the content
Files & folders

How do I free up space on my computer?

You'll be able to: Free up hard drive space safely

Risk
Safe to try
Windows
Windows 11 · Windows 10

Filed under Files & folders

The steps

  1. 1

    Press WinI on your keyboard to open Windows Settings. The Settings window opens on your screen.

    What is taking up space on my computer?

    Over months of use, Windows stores temporary update files, cache previews, and old installation leftovers. Clearing them safely reclaims gigabytes of disk space without touching your personal photos or documents.

  2. 2
    Click System in the left sidebar, then click Storage.A breakdown bar shows how much storage is used by apps, temporary files, and other items.
    Windows 11 Storage settings screen displaying storage usage breakdown and Temporary files button.
  3. 3

    Click Temporary files. Windows scans and displays a list of temporary items with checkboxes and the amount of space each item occupies.

  4. 4

    Check the boxes for temporary cache categories (leave Downloads unchecked if you keep downloaded files), then click Remove files. A brief progress bar runs, and your available drive space increases immediately.

    List of temporary file categories with checkboxes and Remove files button.
    5. It looks different on my screen

    If you prefer using the classic Windows utility, press WinR, type cleanmgr, and press Enter to launch the classic Disk Cleanup tool.

Did this work?

Updated 2026-09-13اقرأ بالعربية