How to increase your storage space on a PC (2024)

  1. Delete programs you never use
    On Windows® 10 and Windows® 8, right-click the Start button (or press Windows key+X), select Control Panel, then under Programs, select Uninstall a program. From this list, you can delete programs you no longer need – select the program you want to uninstall and click Uninstall.

    On Windows® 7, Windows® Vista, or Windows® XP, click the Start button, click Control Panel, then click Add/Remove Programs. From this list, delete the programs you no longer need by selecting the program and clicking Uninstall.

  2. Back up rarely used data on an external hard drive
    It's often said in tech circles that your data is only as safe as your last backup, and this adage is true for almost every user. To back-up your files, get an external hard drive and designate it as your backup drive. By moving rarely used files to an external hard drive, then deleting them from your system, you'll free up valuable storage space.
  3. Run the Disk Cleanup utility
    Disk Cleanup removes temporary files, clears the cache, empties your Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of other files and items you no longer need. Here's how to use Disk Cleanup.

    Windows 10 and Windows 8

    • Right-click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Security, click Administrative Tools, and click Disk Cleanup
    • If the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection dialog box appears, click the hard disk drive you want to clean up, then click OK
    • Click the Disk Cleanup tab, then select the check boxes for the files you want to delete
    • When you finish selecting the files you want to delete, click OK, then click Delete files to confirm the operation
    • Disk Cleanup will then begin to remove the files

    Windows 7

    • Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and click Disk Cleanup
    • If the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection dialog box appears, click the hard disk drive you want to clean up, then click OK
    • Click the Disk Cleanup tab, then select the check boxes for the files you want to delete
    • When you finish selecting the files you want to delete, click OK, then click Delete files to confirm the operation
    • Disk Cleanup will then begin to remove the files

    Windows Vista

    • Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and click Disk Cleanup
    • In the Disk Cleanup Options dialog box, choose whether you want to clean up your own files or all of the files on the computer
      • If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, enter the password or provide confirmation
    • If the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection dialog box appears, select the hard disk drive that you want to clean up, then click OK
    • Click the Disk Cleanup tab, then select the check boxes for the files you want to delete
    • When you finish selecting the files you want to delete, click OK, then click Delete files to confirm the operation
    • Disk Cleanup will then begin to remove the files

Note: Be sure to keep Windows up-to-date with regular Windows Updates.

See Also
Space
How to increase your storage space on a PC (2024)

FAQs

How to increase your storage space on a PC? ›

A longer-term strategy for expanding your PC's storage capacity is to add removable storage, including SD cards, USB flash drives, DVDs or CDs, or using cloud storage or network drives. Removable storage options: Secure Digital (SD) cards.

How do I add more storage on my PC? ›

External drives are cheap to buy and plug into your computer using a USB cable. An external drive can also serve as your backup drive. Cloud storage is available for purchase. Cloud storage just means your files are stored on a server in a remote location.

Can computer storage be increased? ›

If you're constantly running out of space for your files and applications, upgrading your HDD or SSD to a larger storage capacity is a great way to increase your PC's performance. More storage allows you to store more files and it will give you more free space for the latest applications or operating systems.

How do I increase my storage space? ›

How to Increase Internal Memory of Any Android Phone
  1. Removing Unwanted Downloads.
  2. Disabling Bloatware.
  3. Removing Cached Data for Android Apps.
  4. Deleting Photos and Videos.
  5. Install and run GOM Saver.
  6. Transferring Data to a SD Card.

How to free up space on a PC? ›

  1. Select Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Open Storage settings.
  2. Select the temporary files, unused files, files synced to the cloud, or unused apps you want to remove, then select the Clean up button for each section.

Can I add more memory to my PC? ›

Thankfully, installing new RAM into your rig is incredibly easy and you'll only need to set aside a few minutes of your time. Before installing, check your motherboard's manual to find out the optimal sockets for 2x or 4x module installation.

How to expand disk space? ›

In Computer Management, select [Disk Management]③. In Disk Management, right-click the existing volume you want to extend④, then select [Extend Volume]⑤. If there is no unallocated space, but you want to extend the existing volume, you are able to delete a separate volume, and then it will become unallocated space.

What happens if my PC storage is full? ›

If your PC is running low on free space, you might not be able to install important Windows updates, and your PC's performance may be affected. Here are some ways to free up space so you can keep your PC up to date and running smoothly.

How much RAM do I really need? ›

For basic web browsing and document creation, 4GB or 8GB is usually sufficient. For tasks such as photo editing and streaming media, however, 16GB of RAM may be necessary. For gaming or video editing applications, even higher amounts of RAM (e.g., 32GB) may be needed to ensure optimal performance.

How to increase file storage? ›

How to Increase Storage Space on a PC: Conclusions
  1. Delete unnecessary files;
  2. Uninstall unnecessary games, programs, and applications;
  3. Move files to the cloud or external storage devices;
  4. Clean your system with special programs, such as CCleaner.

How do I fix low storage? ›

6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
  1. Resetting Your Apps' Caches.
  2. Uninstall Unwanted Apps.
  3. Clearing the Play Store Cache and Data and Uninstalling Updates.
  4. Transfer Photos and Videos to a Computer.
  5. Save Photos and Videos to an External SD or Cloud Storage.
  6. General Tips and Tricks.
Apr 26, 2024

What to do if your storage is full? ›

Clear cache: Deletes temporary data. Some apps may be slow the next time you open them. Clear storage: Permanently deletes all app data. Try to delete the data within the app first.

Why is my storage full? ›

Cached data is mainly used to help your apps perform better, but it's notorious for hogging up storage space. Clearing your cache gets rid of unnecessary data that's just lingering. And then there are cookies, which store user preferences, log-in info, browsing history and other elements of your online behavior.

How do I add more storage to my PC? ›

Add more storage. A longer-term strategy for expanding your PC's storage capacity is to add removable storage, including SD cards, USB flash drives, DVDs or CDs, or using cloud storage or network drives. Removable storage options: Secure Digital (SD) cards.

How do I maximize storage space on my PC? ›

Here's how to free up hard drive space on your desktop or laptop, even if you've never done it before.
  1. Uninstall unnecessary apps and programs. ...
  2. Clean your desktop. ...
  3. Get rid of monster files. ...
  4. Use the Disk Cleanup Tool. ...
  5. Discard temporary files. ...
  6. Deal with downloads. ...
  7. Save to the cloud.
Aug 23, 2018

How to clear up a PC? ›

To delete temporary files:
  1. In the search box on the taskbar, type disk cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
  2. Select the drive you want to clean up, and then select OK.
  3. Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of. To get a description of the file type, select it.
  4. Select OK.

What happens when your storage is full on PC? ›

If your PC is running low on free space, you might not be able to install important Windows updates, and your PC's performance may be affected. Here are some ways to free up space so you can keep your PC up to date and running smoothly.

How to add a new storage device on a PC? ›

Attach the second hard drive to the power supply.

Plug one end of the second hard drive's power cable into the power supply box, then plug the other end into your second hard drive. You'll usually find the power supply at the top of the computer case. The power supply cable resembles a wider SATA cable.

Why am I missing so much storage on my PC? ›

If you have big Hidden Files and Folders, then delete them. Uninstall some programs and create space. Right-click "This PC” and choose “Properties”. Click “Advanced system setting” in the left panel--> “Advanced” in the next mini window--> “Settings” under “Performance”.

What makes my PC storage full? ›

The possible causes can be: Too many applications or files saved on the disk. There is not enough disk space. File system corruption on the hard drive.

References

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