Buzz
After a considerable period of use, the storage space on Drive C (the operating system drive) tends to fill up. Many factors contribute to this, such as excessive software installations and the accumulation of junk files. These issues can lead to decreased system performance. To address these cases, follow the insights in the upcoming article by Mytour.
1. Unused Installed Software
The first step to reduce Drive C storage is to identify and uninstall software that you no longer use. Unused software takes up a significant portion of the hard drive space.
To uninstall software, head to the Control Panel, select Uninstall Program, then right-click on the application you want to remove and choose Uninstall.
Additionally, you can utilize uninstallation support software like Iobit Uninstall, Your Uninstall, Ccleaner, etc., to thoroughly remove applications from the root.
2. Overflowing Recycle Bin
When you delete a file, it doesn't disappear entirely; instead, it gets stored in the recycle bin. This allows you to recover accidentally deleted important files. However, if you leave the recycle bin uncleared for an extended period, it can consume a significant amount of space on your C drive.
To empty the recycle bin, simply right-click on the recycle bin icon and select Empty Recycle Bin.
3. Excessive Temporary and Junk Files in Drive C
During operation, Windows generates numerous temporary and junk files, accumulating in Drive C without disappearing. Over time, these files pile up, leading to a full C drive and a decrease in overall computer performance. Regularly cleaning up these junk files in Drive C is crucial.
To clean up junk files in Drive C, use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool in Windows, eliminating the need for additional cleanup software. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Right-click on Drive C and select Properties
Step 2: In the Properties window, choose Disk Cleanup
Step 3: Proceed by selecting Clean up system files
Step 4: In this window, check all the items; these are the junk files we need to delete. As shown below, you can see files totaling over 3GB. Once selected, click OK.
Upon the notification, click Delete files and patiently wait for Windows to remove all junk files. If your computer has a substantial amount of junk files, the deletion process may take a while, so be patient!
4. Deleting Windows 10 Update Files
As you're aware, Microsoft regularly releases updates for Windows 10 to fix bugs or enhance features. When you update, Windows downloads and installs update files on your computer. However, after the update installation, these files don't automatically get deleted and remain stored in Drive C. Over time, the size of these files can accumulate significantly, occupying storage space. Therefore, let's remove these unnecessary update files.
To delete update files, navigate to the following directory:
Step 4: Choose Disable system protection to turn off this function. Then, click Delete to free up space on Drive C. Finally, press Apply and OK to complete the process.
In this directory are all the updated files for Windows. Press Ctrl+A to select all, then right-click and choose Delete to remove them.
5. System Restore Feature in Windows
System Restore is a useful feature on Windows that allows you to revert your computer to a stable state before encountering errors or viruses. This feature automatically backs up your configuration, settings, and data, consuming a significant amount of storage on Drive C.
While this feature is handy, it's seldom used, with many unaware of its existence. If you don't utilize this function, it's best to turn it off, freeing up a significant amount of space on Drive C.
Step 1: Right-click on the This PC (My Computer) icon and select Properties
Step 2: Choose System protection
Step 3: In the new window, look at Drive C. If it's in the Off state, it means the System Restore function is already turned off, and you don't need to do anything. If it's in the On state, click on Drive C, then click Configure...
Step 4: Choose Disable system protection to turn off this function. Then, click Delete to free up space on Drive C. Finally, press Apply and OK to complete the process.
Here are some reasons and solutions for the issue of Drive C being full, as introduced by Mytour. These tips aim to help you increase storage space for Drive C. We hope you find this article helpful. Best of luck!
