How to fix Windows 11 'Low Disk Space' warnings and reclaim storage on your C: drive

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Windows 11 'Low Disk Space' warnings and reclaim storage on your C: drive. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

If your Windows 11 PC is displaying "Low Disk Space" warnings on your C: drive, your computer is struggling to operate efficiently and may experience slowdowns, failed updates, or crashes. This guide walks you through clearing temporary files, managing system restore points, and removing other unnecessary data to reclaim storage and keep your system running smoothly.

Quick Fix Steps

If you need to free up space quickly, follow these three steps in order:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage and run Storage Sense to clear temporary files automatically.
2. Open Disk Cleanup, select your C: drive, and delete Temporary files, Recycle Bin, and Windows Update Cleanup.
3. Open System Protection, select your C: drive, and click Configure > Delete to remove older restore points.

Detailed Instructions

1. Use Storage Sense to Automate Cleanup

Storage Sense is a built-in Windows 11 feature that automatically clears temporary files and content from your Recycle Bin.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Storage.
3. Toggle Storage Sense to On.
4. Click Storage Sense to expand its options.
5. Under Run Storage Sense, choose Every week, Every month, or a custom frequency.
6. Under Delete files in my Recycle Bin if they are older than, select 14 days or 30 days.
7. Under Delete files in my Downloads folder if they are older than, select Never or a timeframe that suits you.

2. Run Disk Cleanup Manually

Disk Cleanup gives you finer control over which file types are removed.

1. Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and press Enter.
2. Select your C: drive and click OK.
3. Wait for Windows to calculate how much space you can reclaim.
4. In the list of Files to delete, tick the boxes for Temporary files, Recycle Bin, Thumbnails, and Windows Update Cleanup.
5. Click OK, then click Delete Files to confirm.

To remove even more files, click Clean up system files at the bottom of the Disk Cleanup window, select your C: drive again, and tick additional categories such as Previous Windows installation(s).

3. Manage System Restore Points

System Restore points can consume several gigabytes of space over time. Reducing the amount of space reserved for restore points is a safe way to reclaim storage.

1. Press Windows + S, type Create a restore point, and press Enter.
2. In the System Properties window, select your C: drive under Protection Settings.
3. Click Configure.
4. Move the Max Usage slider down to between 2% and 5% of your disk capacity.
5. Click Apply, then OK.

To delete existing restore points and reclaim space immediately:

1. In the same System Protection tab, click Configure.
2. Click Delete next to Delete all restore points for this drive.
3. Click Continue to confirm.
4. Click Apply, then OK.

4. Uninstall Unused Applications

Applications you no longer use can take up significant space, particularly games and creative software.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Sort the list by Size by clicking the column header.
3. Identify applications you no longer need.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to the application and select Uninstall.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the removal.

5. Manage Hibernation and Virtual Memory Files

Windows creates several hidden system files that can grow large over time.

Disable Hibernation (if you do not use it):

1. Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Type powercfg /hibernate off and press Enter.
3. Restart your computer.

Reduce Virtual Memory (Page File) size:

1. Press Windows + S, type Advanced system settings, and press Enter.
2. Under Performance, click Settings.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Under Virtual memory, click Change.
5. Untick Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
6. Select your C: drive, choose Custom size, and set both Initial size and Maximum size to a value between 1024 MB and 4096 MB.
7. Click Set, then OK, and restart your computer.

6. Offload Files to OneDrive or an External Drive

If you regularly run low on space, consider moving large files such as photos, videos, and documents to cloud storage or an external drive.

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.
2. Click Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
3. Change the default save locations for New documents, New music, New photos and videos, and New apps to a different drive if you have one available.
4. For existing files, open File Explorer, right-click the folder you want to move (such as Documents or Pictures), and select Properties.
5. Click the Location tab and enter a new path on your external drive or OneDrive folder.
6. Click Move and confirm when prompted.

When to Seek Further Help

If you have followed these steps and your C: drive is still running low on space, the issue may be caused by a hidden problem such as a failing drive, a runaway log file, or malware. Consider running chkdsk C: /f /r from an elevated Command Prompt to check for disk errors, or contact our support team for further assistance.

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