To free up space on Windows 10, select Start > Settings > System > Storage. Select Temporary files, check what you want to remove, and select Remove files. Then empty the Recycle Bin, uninstall apps you don’t use, and move large photos and videos to another drive or OneDrive.
Start with the steps that free the most space for the least effort, and check how much space you have after each one.
Applies to: Windows 10 laptops and desktops, including HP. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
See what’s using space
- Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Select drive C: or Show more categories to see how much space Apps & features, Temporary files, Documents, and others use.
Delete temporary files
- In Storage, select Temporary files.
- Check items such as Temporary files, Delivery Optimization Files, and Windows Update Cleanup.
- Select Remove files.
Leave Downloads unchecked unless you’ve looked through the folder. See how to delete temporary files in Windows 10 for more.
Run Disk Cleanup for system files
Disk Cleanup can remove old Windows update files that take several gigabytes. See how to run Disk Cleanup in Windows 10.
Turn on Storage Sense
In Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense. It deletes temporary files and old Recycle Bin items on a schedule. Select Configure Storage Sense or run it now to set how often.
Empty the Recycle Bin
Deleted files stay on the drive until you empty the Recycle Bin. Right-click Recycle Bin on the desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin. Check it for anything you need first.
Uninstall apps you don’t use
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Choose Sort by: Size to see the largest apps first.
- Select an app and select Uninstall.
See how to uninstall programs in Windows 10.
Move or delete large files
- Open File Explorer and go to Downloads, Videos, or Pictures.
- Select View > Details, then select the Size column heading to sort by size.
- Delete files you don’t need, or move them to an external drive.
Save space with OneDrive
If you use OneDrive, right-click a folder in OneDrive and select Free up space. The files stay online and download when you open them.
If you need more space after all this
- Delete the Windows.old folder after a big update. See how to delete Windows.old in Windows 10.
- Add a second drive, or give drive C more room. See how to partition a hard drive in Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
How much free space does Windows 10 need?
Keep at least 10 to 15 percent of drive C free. Windows needs room for updates and temporary files. To see what is taking up room, open the C drive in File Explorer and start with your own folders.
Is it safe to delete temporary files?
Yes. Windows and apps make them again when needed.
Why does drive C fill up again?
Updates, downloads, and app caches add up. Storage Sense keeps it in check.
What’s the Windows.old folder, and can I delete it?
It holds your previous version of Windows after a big update, and it can take 10 GB or more. If your PC works fine, you can remove it. See how to delete Windows.old in Windows 10.
Does turning off hibernation free up space?
Yes. The hibernation file, hiberfil.sys, can take several gigabytes. If you never use Hibernate or fast startup, run powercfg /hibernate off in an admin Command Prompt to remove it.
To bundle files you rarely use into a smaller file, see how to zip and unzip files in Windows 10.
If you no longer use Office, uninstalling Microsoft Office in Windows 10 frees up space too.
To keep new apps and files off your C drive, see how to change the default save location in Windows 10.
OneDrive Files On-Demand can also free up space by keeping files online-only. See how to use and sync OneDrive on Windows 10.
Copies of the same file can take up a lot of space. See how to find and delete duplicate files in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, see how to see what’s taking up space in Windows 11.
On Windows 11, see how to free up disk space in Windows 11.
Microsoft’s guide is Free up drive space in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.