Everyday IT fixes
Free up disk space on a Windows PC
Safe ways to reclaim space, and what you should never delete.
Last reviewed 20 August 2026
- 1Open Settings > System > Storage to see what's using the space.
- 2Turn on Storage Sense, or run Cleanup recommendations to clear temporary files and the recycle bin.
- 3Uninstall software you genuinely no longer use from Settings > Apps.
- 4Move large personal archives — old photos, video, ZIP files — into OneDrive or the file server rather than the desktop.
- 5Empty your Downloads folder. It's usually the biggest easy win.
Don't delete anything from C:\Windows, C:\Program Files or a folder you don't recognise, and don't install a 'PC cleaner' tool. If Storage Sense hasn't recovered enough, raise a ticket.
If OneDrive is set up, switching on Files On-Demand keeps files in the cloud until you open them and can free a lot of space instantly.
Still stuck?
Log it with the helpdesk and a real engineer will pick it up — or book a call if you'd rather talk it through.