Chicago
Track Your Order
0
How to Clean Up Unnecessary Files on Windows to Save Space
It can be annoying to constantly run out of space on your Windows computer without knowing the culprit. However, sometimes the offenders can be files and folders that have grown too large for your storage to handle. Let's look at what they are and how to keep them in check before they force you to buy a new drive.
Temp Folder, Recycle Bin, and Downloads Folder
The Temp folder is cleared automatically, but issues like crashes and improper shutdowns can leave some files lingering. There's also the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder, where files accumulate over time unless you manually delete them. Luckily, Windows now has a tool called Storage Sense that automatically deletes files in these locations, as well as helps you maximize storage space.
To enable Storage Sense, press Win+i to open the Settings app and go to System > Storage. Toggle on "Storage Sense" in the Storage Management section.
You can also tweak the frequency at which Storage Sense runs and cleans these folders by clicking "Storage Sense"—instead of the toggle—to reveal the options. Go to the Configure Cleanup Schedules section and tweak when Windows should run Storage Sense and when it should delete files in the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder.
If your Downloads folder tends to be an issue with you, it's important to configure this because “Never” is the default cleanup schedule.
Residual Data from Windows Update
When Windows downloads and installs an update, the files are eventually deleted automatically. One of the biggest reasons it holds on to them for a short time is to allow you to roll back problematic updates. But since Windows is not perfect, issues like failed updates and bugs can leave residual data behind that can accumulate over time.
You can clear these files, as long as you know that you're giving up the rollback protection. Furthermore, Windows will have to redownload them next time it needs an update, which can impact your data consumption.
Some update-related data will be cleared when you enable Storage Sense. But if you want better control of the process, you might want to do this manually using a utility like Disk Cleanup.
To run it, search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu, select the drive with update files (this is usually the C drive), and click the "OK" button. Tick the necessary options, such as "Windows Update Cleanup" and "Windows Upgrade Log Files," and then click "OK" to delete them.
Unnecessary System Restore Points
Having system restore points is important; they allow you to revert your computer to a working state should something go wrong after a major change. However, the default space allocated to system restore points (15% of your drive space) can lead to the creation of system restore points you don't need and take up gigs of space. The best way to control this is to reduce the designated size for them.
To do that, enter System Restore in Windows Search and click "Create a Restore Point" in the search results. In the "System Protection" tab, select the drive with the system restore points and click "Configure."
Click and drag the "Max Usage" slider to the left to reduce the drive space that System Restore uses, and then click "OK."
Leftover Data From Uninstalled Apps
When you uninstall an app on Windows, you'd expect its uninstaller to clean up any leftovers. But that doesn't always happen, leaving them to clutter up your system and take up space. There are things you can do to completely remove apps and programs on Windows, but you can also use a third-party utility to completely remove them.
A good one is Revo Uninstaller—there's a free version that does a good job of completely removing apps. Once you launch it, click "Uninstaller" in the top menu, select the app you want to remove, and click "Uninstall."
Once you confirm that you want to remove the program by clicking "Continue," Revo Uninstaller will start the process. At some point, you will be asked if it should scan the system for leftovers, so click "Scan" and wait for it to complete the process.
Revo Uninstaller will then take you through a few prompts that will delete any of the app's leftover data.
Massive Browser Caches
The point of a browser's cache is to store copies of web content you've accessed to load it faster the next time you need it. However, this data can accumulate over time and eat up your storage space. Thankfully, the major browsers have ways for you to clear the cache manually and automatically.
Clearing the cache can cause some websites to load more slowly than usual, and you may have to log in to certain websites again. Keep this in mind, especially if you plan to enable automatic cache clearing.