Clearing out disk space on Windows 11 can feel like a bit of a hassle, especially if your PC starts lagging or throwing up low storage alerts. Sometimes, just deleting a few files isn’t enough; you need to give it a proper clean-up, removing unnecessary stuff and uninstalling apps you no longer need. Doing this regularly keeps your system running smoothly and saves you heaps of bother. It’s funny how a bit of disorganisation can slow things right down — but, of course, Windows can be a pain to find and delete the junk without a bit of help. So, here’s a few tried-and-true ways to get that disk back in shape.
How to Free Up Disk Space on Windows 11
Open Disk Cleanup — The easy first step
If Windows 11’s low disk space warning has got you a bit worried, jump straight to the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Sometimes, it’s tucked away a few clicks deep, but it’s worth hunting down. Just click the Start button, type “Disk Cleanup” into the search bar, and give it a click. If it doesn’t show up right away, head to Settings > System > Storage and click on Temporary files. On Windows 11, you can also get to this via Settings > Storage > Temporary files to see what’s taking up space. Once you open it, select your main drive — probably C: — and hit OK. It might take a moment to do its thing — not to worry.
Select the right files to trash
This is the bit where you get to play detective. Disk Cleanup shows a list of file categories like temporary files, system cache, and Internet cache. Most folk just check most boxes, but be careful — some temp files might actually be handy for certain apps. On one setup, unchecked everything worked fine, but on another… not so much. Common safe bets are cache files, thumbnail caches, and old Windows update leftovers. When you’re ready, click OK and then Delete Files to confirm. It’s a good way to clear out all that rubbish that’s just sitting there, taking up space for no good reason.
Uninstall unused apps via Settings — Because some programs just hang around
Ever downloaded a game or app and then forgot about it? Those ‘leftover’ programs can clutter things up. Head to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps (or Apps & Features) to see what’s installed. Uninstall what you don’t need anymore — especially big ones like old Photoshop versions or big game installs. Removing these can free up quite a bit of space and help your PC start up quicker. A quick heads-up: some apps can be tricky to get rid of, especially if they’re from third-party sources. If you run into trouble, try uninstalling via the app’s folder or a third-party uninstaller.
Use Storage Sense to automate the cleanup in case manual isn’t enough
This feature is a bit weird but pretty handy. It automatically deletes temporary files, downloads, and old system files when your drive’s getting full. Go to Settings > System > Storage, and turn on Storage Sense. You can set how often it runs — daily, weekly, whatever suits — and what it should tidy up. It’s a real lifesaver if you want to keep your machine tidy without constantly poking around. Sometimes, it just works in the background and keeps things in check without you having to lift a finger.
Extra tip: Move big files or backups to external drives or cloud
Got a heap of videos or photos taking up space? Consider chucking them onto an external SSD or uploading to cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. It’s not just about freeing space, but also about decluttering your main drive to keep your PC responsive. Shifting a few hundred gigabytes can make a big difference.
Tips for Clearing Disk Space on Windows 11
- Make a habit of running Disk Cleanup regularly.
- Use external storage for large media files.
- Turn on Storage Sense to keep things tidy automatically.
- Move rarely-used files to the cloud.
- Be careful with system files — don’t delete anything you’re not sure about.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I perform disk cleanup?
Honestly, unless you’re gaming heaps or creating content, once a month usually does the trick. More often if you notice your PC slowing down or storage warnings popping up.
Can I recover files after Disk Cleanup?
Once those files are gone, they’re pretty much gone for good — no easy undo. So, double-check what you’re deleting, especially system cache or old updates.
Will freeing up disk space improve my PC’s performance?
More space means less stress on your drive. It can help Windows run smoother and might shave a second or two off start-up times.
What’s Storage Sense, and should I enable it?
It’s a feature that automatically tidies up junk and temp files. If you want to keep things running smoothly with less fuss, it’s a good idea to turn it on.
Are third-party tools worth a go?
There are plenty of cleaner apps out there, but be picky. Stick with reputable ones like CCleaner or BleachBit. But honestly, Windows’ built-in tools handle most jobs pretty well.
Summary
- Open Disk Cleanup and select your drive.
- Choose the file types you want to delete.
- Run it and confirm.
- Uninstall unused apps from Settings.
- Optional: turn on Storage Sense for ongoing tidy-ups.
Wrap-up
Getting rid of junk files on Windows 11 isn’t the most exciting task, but it’s a necessary one if you want your system to run sweet as. Stick to these basics, and doing a tidy-up now and then will keep everything running smoothly. It might not be glamourous, but your PC will thank you — faster response times and fewer storage warnings. Hopefully, this helps save someone a fair bit of hassle down the track.