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Windows 11⏱ 5 min

How to Free Up Storage Space on Windows 11

Find and delete large files, old downloads, and temporary data.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

Windows Storage Sense is the built-in automated tool for reclaiming disk space, configured in Settings > System > Storage, and it can run on a schedule or be triggered manually. Beyond Storage Sense, Windows Update accumulates delivery optimisation files and old update packages in the WinSxS folder that Disk Cleanup's "Clean up system files" option targets specifically. For the largest single-step gains, sorting installed apps by size in Settings > Apps > Installed Apps reveals which games, creative suites, and development tools are consuming the most space.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Go to Settings > System > Storage. Enable Storage Sense and then click Run Storage Sense now to automatically clean temp files.
  2. 2Delete downloaded videos, podcasts, and offline maps you no longer actively use.
  3. 3Move photos and videos to cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive) and remove local copies once confirmed.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

Verify the Fix

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is taking up so much storage on my Windows 11?
On Windows, the top culprits are usually: system restore points and WinSxS folder (OS), downloaded game and app installers left in Downloads, Hibernate file (hiberfil.sys), and duplicate photos. Open Settings > System > Storage for a visual breakdown.
Why is my Windows 11 saying storage is full when I have space?
Storage shown as available may exclude space reserved for the OS, system files, and pending updates. On iPhone, iOS reserves space for OTA updates. On Android and Windows, certain system operations require a free-space buffer. If available space is below 10%, the device treats itself as full for safety.
Will moving photos to the cloud free up storage on Windows 11?
Yes, but only if you also delete the local copies after confirming the cloud backup is complete. Google Photos and iCloud have an option to Remove Downloaded Copies or Optimise Storage that does this automatically after verifying the cloud backup is safe.
How much free storage should I keep on Windows 11?
Keep at least 10–15% of total storage free for optimal performance. Below 10%, most operating systems slow down significantly as they struggle to write temp files, install updates, and manage virtual memory. On a 64 GB device, aim to keep at least 6–8 GB free at all times.

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