Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage. Windows shows how much space each category uses, such as Installed apps, Temporary files and Documents. Select Show more categories for the full list, and select a category to see what’s inside.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
See space by category
- Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Look at the list under your drive. The biggest categories are at the top.
- Select Show more categories to see everything.
Select any category for details. Installed apps lists apps by size, and Temporary files shows files Windows can remove.
Free up space from temporary files
- Select Temporary files.
- Check the items you want to remove. Look at Downloads and Recycle Bin carefully, because they can hold files you still want.
- Select Remove files.
Other drives
Under Advanced storage settings, select Storage used on other drives to see the same breakdown for a second drive.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the biggest single files?
See how to find large files in Windows 11.
How big is my drive in total?
See how to check total hard disk space in Windows 11.
Have a second drive? You can move files from your SSD to an HDD to free up space.
Microsoft’s reference is Storage settings 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.