How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive

For most people, the C drive is the core of the PC, where the operating system is installed and all the important system files are kept. It is also the drive that is most likely to fill up due to endless Windows updates, forgotten downloads, and the fact that by default, everything is saved to the C drive.

Below, Quantrimang will guide you how to clean up drive C, restore some space and then make this drive work well and quickly again.

Table of Contents of the Article

Delete temporary files manually

Below, we'll show you a few tricks that can automatically delete various temporary files, but those methods (like Storage Sense and Disk Clean-up) won't completely delete temporary files, and chances are that most of the temporary files that are plaguing your hard drive will remain in the Temp folder for a while longer.

Note :

Make sure you're not running anything while manually deleting temporary files . If you delete temporary files related to an application that's currently running, that application may crash and you may lose anything you were working on at the time.

To find your main temporary files folder, the default folder is “C:\Users\Rob\AppData\Local\Temp” (or you can press Win + R , then type %temp% ).

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Delete temporary files manually

To see how much space your Temp folder is taking up, select everything in it with Ctrl + A , then right-click any file and click Properties. If you want to go ahead and delete it, make sure everything is selected with Ctrl + A , right-click, then click Delete.

Using Storage Sense

Windows 10 has a handy feature called Storage Sense that keeps track of your PC's storage space, then moves to clean things up if you're running low. It does the basics like emptying your Recycle Bin , deleting old files in your Downloads folder , and deleting temporary files on your PC.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Using Storage Sense

Refer to: How to use Storage sense on Windows 10 to free up disk space for details on how to do it.

Scan large files on hard drive

Using Windows Explorer, you can scan your entire hard drive for files based on their size.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Scan large files on hard drive

Detailed instructions are in the article: How to find large files on Windows 10 .

Uninstall Windows Shovelware and Space-Hungry Apps

In the “Apps & Features” window (you’ll find it by right-clicking on the Start button), you can sort the list by “Size” to see which apps are taking up the most space. You might be surprised by the results, and you might want to delete apps if you see fit. Think about whether you really need all those space-hogging apps, and delete them when appropriate.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Uninstall Windows Shovelware and Space-Hungry Apps

Another thing that might surprise you is that you have games like Bubble Witch 3 Saga and Minecraft, which you never wanted in the first place! However, simply uninstalling them from the “Apps & Features” list is not enough and you need to remove them using Powershell . To do this, read our guide on how to uninstall pre-installed Windows apps .

Using the Disk Clean-Up utility

You may already know about Windows’ built-in Disk Clean-Up utility but have not used it. This is the first place to look to free up some space. To start using it, launch Windows Explorer, right-click on your C drive, and select “Properties” from the list.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Using the Disk Clean-Up utility

Once the Properties window opens, click on “Disk Cleanup” to open the utility. Here, in the “files to delete” box , select all the checkboxes like System memory error dump files, Recycle Bin, Setup log files , etc.

Once you have selected all the desired checkboxes, click OK  to free up the drive space occupied by the above files. The amount of space you free up depends on how much you have neglected your C drive.

Turn off hibernation

Hibernation is a handy feature that lets you easily shut down your computer while saving its current state, so you can resume work when you power it back up. However, hibernation can take up a lot of disk space, since it reserves space on your hard drive equal to the amount of RAM stored. (So, potentially, the more RAM you have, the more disk space you'll use.)

To disable hibernation, open the Windows Control Panel by pressing Win + X and selecting “Control Panel” from the list. Once the Control Panel is open, select Power Options.

2. Click the “Choose what the power buttons do” link on the left. This will take you to the system settings window.

3. Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable” . This action will enable all disabled options.

4. Scroll down and uncheck the “Hibernate” checkbox to disable hibernation in Windows 10.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Uncheck the “Hibernate” checkbox to disable hibernation

Clear browser cache and cookies

Temporary Internet files like browser cache and cookies take up a small amount of space on your C drive, so deleting those temporary files will free up some space. See: How to clear cache and cookies on Chrome, Firefox and Coc Coc for more details.

Delete old Windows update files, previous installations

Windows tends to keep old (and mostly redundant) system files around. In most cases, you can delete these files, especially if you've installed a new version of Windows. To do this:

1. Open Windows Explorer, right-click on drive C and select Properties.

2. Click “Disk CleanUp” , then in the new window click “Clean up system files” to open the advanced disk cleanup window.

3. Select the “Windows upgrade log files” checkbox and if you have anything there, select the “Previous Windows installation(s)” checkbox .

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Delete old Windows update files, previous installations

There are other checkboxes here, but most of them don't use up any space and can be left as is. When you're ready, click OK to clean up your hard drive.

Reduce the size of the WinSxS folder

The WinSxS folder is located in your PC's C drive in the same location as the Windows folder - for example, C:\Windows\WinSxS. It stores files needed for system recovery. You can easily reduce the size of this folder, but this comes with a caveat.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Reduce the size of the WinSxS folder

Warning : Do not delete any files directly from the WinSxS folder or the folder itself. This will severely damage the system and make it impossible to reboot or recover.

1. It is very important to proceed with caution and handle these files directly from the Task Scheduler .

2. Once Task Scheduler opens , search for Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Servicing > StartComponentCleanup and right-click to select Run.

3. Wait a few minutes for the operation to complete.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Process files directly from Task Scheduler

Set OneDrive and File Explorer files to be available online only

You can set your OneDrive and File Explorer files to be available online only. This will save you a lot of space on your C drive. If you have a fast, reliable Internet connection, you'll benefit from this great space-saving trick.

For OneDrive, select the OneDrive app from the Start menu search box in Windows 11 and the Windows 10 search box. Sign in with the Microsoft account used on your local PC. Go to the OneDrive folder by clicking Next.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Go to OneDrive folder

Right-click on any OneDrive subfolders and if they are taking up a lot of space, set them to “online only” instead of putting them on the device.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Set files to “online only”

The same methods above can be repeated for any file or folder in the File Explorer window. By making them available online only, you can access the files whenever you want. Of course, if you have some important data that you need to access at all times, you’ll want to leave it on your device.

If necessary, refresh Windows 10

Maybe you've concluded that your PC is such a mess that you don't want to bother cleaning up Windows 10. In that case, you can use a built-in option to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows.

You may know about the Reset this PC option available in Recovery settings . However, using this feature with certain options will restore your PC to its original state, including pre-installed manufacturer bloatware. To avoid this, you can use another method.

How to clean up and recover space on Windows C drive
Reset Windows 10

To use this feature, tap the Get started button in the Recovery menu. Select Keep my files , choose whether to download or reinstall locally, the settings, then make sure you select No for Restore preinstalled apps?

This is equivalent to the Fresh Start option found in the Device performance & health section of the Windows Security app in older versions of Windows 10. Windows 10 will be reinstalled and updated to the latest version, and it will also remove all installed apps. Only your personal files and “some Windows settings” will be kept.

While Windows promises to keep them safe, make sure you back up your important files before doing this, just in case anything goes wrong. You should also make a note of any license keys you'll need to reactivate the software after the refresh.

Having to reinstall all your programs manually will take some time, but if your computer is a mess, this method is worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are the C drive cleaning methods similar for Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes, the methods to clean up C drive are very similar for Windows 10 and Windows 11. There may be slight changes in the location of some menu options, but the methods to clean up C drive mentioned above are applicable to both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

2. Should I use C drive cleaning software?

You should choose the built-in Windows methods to clean up disk space, including the C drive. The article has mentioned many built-in techniques in this guide.

Regular Windows updates are the surest way to verify system integrity. Third-party software does many of the same things as the built-in tools: They can identify temporary files, pending updates, files in the Recycle Bin, and more.

However, if they accidentally delete any important files, such as the WinSxS folder file, it can cause you a lot of trouble. This problem can prevent you from rolling back updates or fixing Windows problems yourself. In general, this article does not recommend using any third-party software to clean up your Windows drive. They do more harm than good. Avoid tools like CCleaner and Wondershare RecoverIt.

3. Why does C drive automatically fill up?

With regular use, the C drive will gradually fill up. Every file and folder you create (on any drive) has an impact on the free space on the C drive. If you haven’t updated your computer for a long time, it may be vulnerable to bloatware and difficult to delete files. Of course, we often forget to delete temporary files, unnecessary programs, and space-consuming applications. All of these things play a role in the C drive gradually filling up.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

5 ways to open the Startup Repair tool on Windows

5 ways to open the Startup Repair tool on Windows

Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix some system problems that prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair scans your PC for problems and then attempts to fix them so your PC can start correctly.

Microsoft still recommends 15-year-old backup solution for Windows 11 and 10 users

Microsoft still recommends 15-year-old backup solution for Windows 11 and 10 users

Modern versions of Windows still contain a lot of old code, and Microsoft generally tries to hide outdated parts, like the Control Panel, in favor of more modern components. However, there are some interesting exceptions.

How to set different wallpapers on each monitor Windows 10/11

How to set different wallpapers on each monitor Windows 10/11

Setting up multiple monitors on Windows is quite simple and only takes a few minutes to do. After setting up multi-monitor mode (multiple screens), you can set up separate wallpapers for each screen. To do this, please refer to the article below from WebTech360.

A look at Windows 10 and 11 features Microsoft has removed or stopped supporting in 2024

A look at Windows 10 and 11 features Microsoft has removed or stopped supporting in 2024

With less than two weeks to go until 2025, it's time to look back at the list of features that Microsoft has stopped supporting or removed from Windows 10 and 11 in 2024.

How to turn off Sleep mode in Windows 10/11

How to turn off Sleep mode in Windows 10/11

Sleep mode on Windows will put the computer into the lowest power consumption mode, extending the battery life of the computer when not using the device.

Some Microsoft 365 apps may stop working completely if users dont update to Windows 11

Some Microsoft 365 apps may stop working completely if users dont update to Windows 11

Recently, Microsoft has been continuously posting articles on the company's official blog urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 as the end of support for Windows 10 is approaching.

How to use Windows Virtual Desktop effectively

How to use Windows Virtual Desktop effectively

Virtual desktops are a handy way to combine multiple workspaces in Windows 10. There are a number of ways to quickly switch between virtual desktops, including some lesser-known keyboard shortcuts. Quantrimang.com will cover them all in the following article.

How to add exceptions in Windows Defender on Windows 10

How to add exceptions in Windows Defender on Windows 10

Windows Defender is built into Windows 10 to find malware. To improve performance for tasks like compiling code or running virtual machines, you can add exceptions so Windows Defender will never scan those files.

Microsoft is doing everything to stop users from downloading Windows 10 again

Microsoft is doing everything to stop users from downloading Windows 10 again

As the Windows 11 end-of-life deadline approaches, Windows 10 end-of-life (EOL) warning banners are popping up everywhere.

Some ways to fix Start Menu on Windows 10 stopped working

Some ways to fix Start Menu on Windows 10 stopped working

The Start Menu is probably the most popular feature of Windows 10. However, for some PC versions, this feature may be faulty. In this article, WebTech360 will guide readers on how to fix Start Menu errors on Windows 10.

Microsoft may charge for Windows 11 updates in the future?

Microsoft may charge for Windows 11 updates in the future?

Microsoft's determination to encourage (or even urge) users to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is clear.

How to Stack All Open Windows in Windows 11/10

How to Stack All Open Windows in Windows 11/10

In Windows, you can use the Cascade windows option to arrange all open windows to overlap each other with title bars visible so you can quickly tell which window is open.

Why is it so hard for many PC gamers to give up Windows 10?

Why is it so hard for many PC gamers to give up Windows 10?

Microsoft's support for Windows 10 is coming to an end, but many PC gamers are still hesitant to upgrade to Windows 11. What makes Windows 10 such a great land for gamers?

Microsoft pushes full-screen ads about Windows 10 end of support

Microsoft pushes full-screen ads about Windows 10 end of support

Microsoft has updated its official documentation to specify the end of support (end of life) date for Windows 10.

How to use Microsoft Family Safety to manage kids screen time in Windows

How to use Microsoft Family Safety to manage kids screen time in Windows

Stop watching the clock to monitor your child's screen time! Instead, you can easily use Microsoft Family Safety to manage your child's computer time.

How to control your phone without touching the screen

How to control your phone without touching the screen

Did you know that there are several ways to control your Android phone without touching the screen and browsing through various apps?

Good quotes about July, status to greet the loving month of July

Good quotes about July, status to greet the loving month of July

July has come, bringing us many emotions, happy and sad, time flies, in the blink of an eye half a year has passed.

Worlds first sand battery can store green energy for months

Worlds first sand battery can store green energy for months

Polar Night Energy in Finland has completed the installation of a battery system whose main component is about 100 tons of sand, helping to store green energy in the form of heat for many months.

Should I go to the gym if I lack sleep?

Should I go to the gym if I lack sleep?

Rest is important to achieving your goals, but not as important as you think. This article will tell you whether or not you should work out when you're sleep deprived.

Evidence of a volcanic hell moon orbiting a distant exoplanet found

Evidence of a volcanic hell moon orbiting a distant exoplanet found

According to initial assessments, this moon may be in orbit around WASP-49 b, a gas giant planet more than 600 light-years away from Earth.

How to Enable LinkedIn Privacy Mode to Browse Anonymously

How to Enable LinkedIn Privacy Mode to Browse Anonymously

Want to browse LinkedIn profiles without leaving a trace? LinkedIn's privacy mode lets you browse anonymously, so other users won't see that you've viewed their profile.

How to download Talking Cat filter on Instagram

How to download Talking Cat filter on Instagram

Instagram has just launched the Talking Cat filter for you to download to record videos or use when live streaming with friends.

How to change slide orientation to vertical in PowerPoint

How to change slide orientation to vertical in PowerPoint

When you open a PowerPoint file, your slides are displayed horizontally by default. However, you can change them to vertical orientation with a few simple steps. Here's how to change your slides from a horizontal layout to a vertical layout.

How to use the Net Use command in Windows

How to use the Net Use command in Windows

The net use command is a Command Prompt command used to connect, delete, and configure connections to shared resources, such as mapped drives and network printers.

Disney+ adds a feature to help clean up the home screen

Disney+ adds a feature to help clean up the home screen

It's been a long time coming, but Disney+ is finally joining other major streaming platforms in giving you more control over what appears on your home screen.

How to print 2 pages on 1 sheet of paper

How to print 2 pages on 1 sheet of paper

Printing 2 pages on 1 side of paper or printing double-sided will save a lot of paper, avoiding using unnecessary paper when you print reference documents or documents that do not necessarily need to be printed on 1 side.

China and Russia set record for unhackable quantum communication 3,800km away

China and Russia set record for unhackable quantum communication 3,800km away

A team of Russian and Chinese scientists have collaborated and successfully tested the ability to transmit quantum information via satellite between two cities of these two countries, Moscow and Urumqi, with the promise of being unhackable.

Admire the image of running chicken against the majestic cosmic sky

Admire the image of running chicken against the majestic cosmic sky

The VLT Survey Telescope has just brought the astronomy community a stunning new image, showing the magnificence of an area with a very interesting name: the Running Chicken Nebula.

Here are all the new features coming to Apple CarPlay on iOS 18

Here are all the new features coming to Apple CarPlay on iOS 18

Apple hasn't said much about the changes and additions to CarPlay in iOS 18, but that doesn't mean there aren't any notable changes.

How to Turn Off Copilot in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

How to Turn Off Copilot in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

If you don't like the Copilot icon displayed in the Office application interface, you can turn it off, following the instructions below.