Check for low disk space and make some room if necessary

Your PC might slow down if your hard disk is almost full and you don’t have a lot of free space. In this case, freeing up disk space can help make your PC run better.

To check for low disk space

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Storage .

2. Under Storage, select your hard disk, and then see what’s taking up space.

3. Do one of the following:

• If your PC isn’t low on space, go to the next tip.

• If you’re running low on disk space, go through each section and remove stuff you don’t need.

To remove temporary files and downloads, and empty the recycle bin

Another way to free up disk space is to delete temporary files and downloads, and empty the recycle bin.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Storage .

2. Under Storage, select This PC, which has a drive letter for your hard disk next to it.

3. Under Storage usage, select Temporary files.

4. On the Temporary files screen, select the Temporary files check box > Remove files.

5. On the taskbar, select File Explorer, then select the Downloads folder under This PC.

The Downloads folder is the default file location for most web browsers.

6. See which files are in the Downloads folder, and move the downloads you want to keep to another drive.

7. Go back to the Temporary files screen in Settings, select the Downloads folder check box > Remove files.

8. Go to your desktop, and then open Recycle Bin.

9. Move any files you want to keep, and then select Empty Recycle Bin.

10. Restart your PC, and then see if it’s running better.

To move files to another drive

If you have photos, music, downloads, or other files that you want to keep but don't use very often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB flash drive. You'll still be able to use them when the flash drive is connected, but they won't take up space on your PC.

1. Plug a USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC

2. Select File Explorer on the taskbar, and find the files you want to move.

3. Select the files, go to the Home tab, and then select Move to > Choose location.

4. Select your flash drive from the location list, and then select Move.

To uninstall apps you don't use anymore

Another way to free up space is to remove apps and programs that you don’t use.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Apps & features .

2. Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are taking up the most space.

3. When you find an app you want to remove, select it from the list, then select Uninstall.

4. Restart your PC, and then do what you were doing before to see if your PC’s performance has improved.