Ways to Create More Disk Space in Windows 10

To create more disk space in Windows 10, you clear temporary files, uninstall unused apps, and move large personal files to another drive or cloud storage. This guide covers the built-in tools and manual methods that work on current versions of Windows 10, from the quick Disk Cleanup utility to advanced options like Storage Sense.

Why Windows 10 Drives Fill Up

Windows 10 itself takes about 20–30 GB after updates, and that number grows over time. The main culprits behind a full drive are usually the WinSxS component store (old update files), the hibernation file, pagefile.sys, browser caches, and the Recycle Bin. On top of that, user data—downloads, photos, videos, and installed programs—can easily consume hundreds of gigabytes. Knowing what is actually taking space helps you choose the right cleanup method instead of deleting files blindly.

Use Storage Sense to Automate Cleanup

Storage Sense is the modern replacement for the old Disk Cleanup tool. It runs automatically and can delete temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove old downloads on a schedule.

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.
2. Toggle Storage Sense to On.
3. Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
4. Set how often it runs (e.g., every day, week, or month).
5. Choose whether to delete temporary files from apps and the Recycle Bin.
6. Click Clean now to run it immediately.

Storage Sense is safe because it only removes files that Windows considers temporary or that have been in the Recycle Bin past a set date. It does not touch your personal documents, photos, or installed programs.

Run Disk Cleanup for System Files

Disk Cleanup is still available and is better for removing Windows Update leftovers and old system files. It is a separate tool from Storage Sense and can free several gigabytes on drives that have been updated many times.

1. Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu and open it.
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
3. Click Clean up system files (this requires administrator rights).
4. Check the boxes for Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, and Temporary files.
5. Click OK and confirm deletion.

The Windows Update Cleanup option is often the biggest win—it removes old versions of updated system components that are no longer needed. On a PC that has been through several feature updates, this can free 5–20 GB or more.

Uninstall Unused Apps and Large Programs

Programs are usually the largest single category of space usage. Windows 10 gives you a clear view of what is installed and how much each app takes.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Click Sort by size to see the largest programs first.
3. Review the list and uninstall anything you no longer use.
4. For desktop programs (not Store apps), you may need to use the program’s own uninstaller or the Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Pay special attention to pre-installed trial software, old games, and duplicate utilities. Some programs, like video editors or CAD tools, can take 10–50 GB each. If you are unsure whether you need a program, check its size and last-used date—if you have not opened it in months, it is a safe candidate for removal.

Move Personal Files to Another Drive or Cloud

If you have a second internal drive, an external USB drive, or cloud storage, moving large media files is one of the most effective ways to free space without deleting anything.

• Videos and photos: Move them to an external drive or upload to OneDrive, Google Photos, or similar.
• Downloads folder: Sort it by size and move or delete large installers you no longer need.
• Documents: Use the OneDrive folder as your default Documents location so files sync to the cloud and can be made “online-only” (they take no local space until opened).

To change where new content is saved, go to Settings > System > Storage > Change where new content is saved. You can set new apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos to save directly to another drive, which prevents the system drive from filling up again.

Compress the OS Drive with CompactOS

Windows 10 includes a built-in compression feature called CompactOS that compresses system files and installed apps. It is designed for devices with limited storage and can free 1.5–2.5 GB on a typical install. The trade-off is slightly slower disk reads, though on modern SSDs the difference is usually unnoticeable.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start > Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Type compact /compactos:query to see the current state.
3. If it says “Never,” type compact /compactos:always and press Enter.
4. Wait for the process to finish (it can take 10–30 minutes).

To undo it, run compact /compactos:never. This is a safe operation—Windows will not compress files that would break the system. It is particularly useful on 32 GB tablets or older laptops with small SSDs.

Disable Hibernation and Reduce Page File

The hibernation file (hiberfil.sys) is a hidden file that stores the contents of RAM when you hibernate. It is sized at about 40% of your RAM—so a PC with 16 GB of RAM has a 6.4 GB hibernation file. If you never use hibernation (you use Sleep instead), you can disable it entirely.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type powercfg /h off and press Enter.
3. This immediately deletes hiberfil.sys and frees that space.

The page file (pagefile.sys) is virtual memory that Windows uses when RAM is full. You can shrink it, but be careful—setting it too low can cause crashes or slow performance. To adjust it:

1. Open System Properties (type “advanced system settings” in Start).
2. Under Performance, click Settings > Advanced tab.
3. Under Virtual memory, click Change.
4. Uncheck Automatically manage, select the drive, and choose Custom size.
5. Set an initial and maximum size (e.g., 1024 MB for both on a system with 8+ GB RAM).

Only reduce the page file if you are comfortable with system settings and have enough RAM. A safer option is to move the page file to a secondary drive, which keeps the space off your main drive without reducing performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to delete files in the Windows Temp folder?
Yes. The Temp folder (C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Temp) contains files that programs no longer need. If a file is in use, Windows will skip it. Deleting the rest is safe and can free several hundred MB.

What is the WinSxS folder and can I delete it?
WinSxS (C:\Windows\WinSxS) stores Windows component files, including old versions needed for uninstalling updates. You should not delete it manually, but you can run Disk Cleanup with “Windows Update Cleanup” to safely remove superseded versions. The folder will still appear large because of hard links, but the actual space freed can be significant.

How much space does Windows 10 actually need?
Microsoft recommends at least 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 10, but in practice you need 50–60 GB free to avoid problems with updates, page files, and temporary files. For comfortable use, a 128 GB SSD is the practical minimum.

Will emptying the Recycle Bin free space immediately?
Yes, files in the Recycle Bin still occupy disk space until you empty it. Right-click the Recycle Bin and choose “Empty Recycle Bin” to free that space instantly. Storage Sense can also do this automatically on a schedule.

Does moving files to OneDrive free local space?
Only if you enable “Files On-Demand” and set files to “Online-only.” By default, OneDrive syncs a local copy. After enabling Files On-Demand, right-click a folder and choose “Free up space” to remove the local copy while keeping it in the cloud.

Why does my C drive keep filling up after I clean it?
The most common reasons are automatic updates (Windows Update downloads and installs new files), browser caches, and apps that store data in AppData. Check Storage Sense settings, review the Downloads folder regularly, and consider moving your default save locations to another drive.

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