C: Drive Running Out of Space? How to Free Up Storage in Windows

When the C: drive bar turns red, your PC slows down and Windows updates may fail to install. If you record your screen often, video files can fill it faster than you'd expect. Here is how to free up space safely using only the tools built into Windows.

Step 1: See what is using the space

• Go to Settings → System → Storage to see how much space apps, temporary files, documents, videos and other categories use.
• Click a category for a detailed list, or click "Show more categories" to see the rest.
• You can also check the free space on each drive under This PC in File Explorer.

Step 2: Clean up with Cleanup recommendations

• On the same Storage page, click Cleanup recommendations.
• It groups items into Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud and Unused apps, and shows how much space you will get back.
• Before ticking the Downloads folder or the Recycle Bin under temporary files, make sure there is nothing in them you still need.
• If you upgraded Windows less than 10 days ago, you will see Previous Windows installation(s) (Windows.old). Deleting it frees several GB, but you can no longer go back to the previous version.

Step 3: Turn on Storage Sense for automatic cleanup

• Turn on Storage Sense on the Storage page and Windows will delete temporary files and old items in the Recycle Bin for you.
• Click Storage Sense to choose how often it runs (every day, week, month or when disk space is low) and how long to keep files in the Recycle Bin and Downloads folder.
• Set the Downloads folder to "Never" if you don't want anything there deleted by accident.

Step 4: Move large files to another drive

• Videos and recordings are large and usually take up the most space. If you have a D: drive or an external disk, move them there.
• Under Settings → System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Where new content is saved, you can change the default drive for documents, photos and videos.
• If you use a screen recorder, change its recording save folder in the program settings to a drive with plenty of free space so C: doesn't fill up again.
• Uninstall programs you no longer use under Settings → Apps → Installed apps.

Keep in mind

• Never delete folders or files inside C:\Windows by hand. It can break Windows.
• The built-in Windows tools are safer than unknown "PC cleaner" programs that you see in ads.

Source: Microsoft Support – Free up drive space in Windows