1. Uninstall unused programs
One of the best ways to free up storage space on your computer is to get rid of programs you no longer need. Even if you don’t use a program very often, if it’s taking up space, it’s worth getting rid of. To uninstall unused programs, go to the Control Panel and choose “Uninstall a Program”. You can then select the programs you no longer need and remove them.
2. Delete old system backups
Your operating system creates regular backups to protect your data. However, these backups can quickly eat up valuable storage space. If your OS has been creating regular backups, locate and delete them. To delete these files, open the System Properties window and find the System Protection tab. Select the drive where your system backups are stored and delete the old ones.
3. Free up disk space
Your hard drive may be full of unnecessary files such as application logs, temporary internet files, and other random clutter. To free up this space, open your drive and look for large folders that you can delete. You can also run a Disk Cleanup scan to delete old files.
4. Remove unnecessary files
If you’ve got a lot of documents, music, photos, or videos taking up space on your computer, consider removing them. You can either delete the files you no longer need, or you can store them outside of your computer, such as on an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.
5. Reduce the size of your recycle bin
The recycle bin on your computer stores deleted files until you empty it. If your recycle bin takes up a significant amount of space, right-click its icon and select “Properties”. From here, you can reduce the amount of space it takes up.
6. Compress large files
If you’ve got large files taking up space on your computer, consider compressing them. Compressing a file will reduce its size without compromising its quality. To do this, right-click on the file, select “Send To”, and then select “Compressed (zipped) Folder”.
7. Move files to the cloud
Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive are great ways to store your files without taking up any local storage space. Simply sign up for one of these services and start uploading your files. Your files will still be accessible whenever you need them, but they won’t take up any space on your computer.
8. Disable hibernation
Hibernation allows your computer to save its current state so that you can close it down and resume exactly where you left off when you switch it back on. It’s a great tool, but it can also take up a lot of space on your hard drive. To disable hibernation, open the Power Options from the Control Panel, then click on “Change when the computer sleeps”.
9. Scan for viruses
Viruses can cause your computer to slow down and take up extra space. Run an antivirus scan to make sure your system is free of any malicious software. Removing any viruses or other malicious programs should free up some storage space.
10. Get an external hard drive
If you’re running out of space on your computer, you might want to consider buying an external hard drive. An external hard drive will let you store lots of files outside of your computer, freeing up more space on your local storage.