QUESTION (short title): Disk Full – Quick Fixes

QUESTION (detail): The Windows 10, 11 or Server 2025 disk is full. Please outline some initial steps to free up space by removing common trash, fluff and waste.

When your Windows 10, 11, or Server 2025 system reports a full disk, it’s important to act quickly to prevent performance issues, failed updates, or system crashes. Below are practical, actionable steps to free up space by removing unnecessary files, clearing temporary data, and optimising storage.

1. Run Disk Cleanup (Built-in Tool)

This is the fastest way to remove temporary files, system cache, and other non-essential data.

• Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and press Enter.
• Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
• Check the boxes for:
• Temporary files
• Recycle Bin
• Downloaded Program Files
• Thumbnails
• Delivery Optimization Files
• Windows Update Cleanup (if available)
• Previous Windows Installation(s) (only if you no longer need to roll back)
• Click OK, then Delete Files.
• For advanced cleanup, click Clean up system files (requires admin rights) and repeat the process.

???? Note: If you see "Windows Upgrade" or "Previous Windows Installation" in the list, only remove these if you’re certain you no longer need to revert to a previous version of Windows.

2. Clear Temporary Files Manually

Some files may not be picked up by Disk Cleanup.

• Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
• Delete all files in the folder (you may be prompted to skip files in use).
• Repeat with temp by typing %temp% again.
• Also clear the Temporary Internet Files folder:
• Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
• Search for Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer.
• Click Advanced options > Reset or go to Settings > Privacy & security > Clear browsing data.

3. Remove Unnecessary Programs

Uninstall software you no longer use.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Sort by size and remove large, unused applications.
• For older or bloatware apps (e.g., pre-installed games, trial software), use Microsoft Store or Control Panel > Programs and Features.

⚠️ Avoid removing system components or drivers unless you’re certain they’re safe to delete.

4. Disable or Remove OneDrive (If Not Needed)

OneDrive can consume significant space, especially if it’s syncing large files.

• To disable OneDrive:
• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Find OneDrive in the list.
• Right-click > Stop.
• Set Startup type to Disabled.
• To remove OneDrive completely:
• Use the OneDrive Removal Script (available from Microsoft or via PowerShell).
• Alternatively, follow the steps in [FAQ #39] to fully remove it from the system and taskbar.

5. Check for Large Files and Folders

Identify what’s consuming space.

• Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\.
• Right-click the drive > Properties to see total usage.
• Use WinDirStat or TreeSize Free (third-party tools) to visualise large files and folders.
• Common culprits:
• Old Windows updates (C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download)
• Large media files (videos, backups, downloads)
• User profile folders (e.g., C:\Users\[Username]\Downloads, Documents, Videos)
• System restore points (see step 6)

6. Reduce System Restore Point Size

System Restore can take up several gigabytes.

• Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
• Go to the System Protection tab.
• Select the drive (usually C:).
• Click Configure.
• Set Disk space usage to 10–15%.
• Click Delete to remove old restore points.

✅ Tip: Keep at least one recent restore point for recovery, but avoid letting it grow unchecked.

7. Disable Hibernation (If Not Used)

Hibernation creates a large file (hiberfil.sys) equal to your RAM size.

  powercfg -h off

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Run:
• This deletes the hibernation file and frees up space.

⚠️ Only do this if you don’t use hibernate. If you rely on hibernate, skip this step.

8. Clean Up Windows Update Files

Old Windows updates can accumulate.

  cleanmgr /sageset:65535
  cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

• In Disk Cleanup, select Windows Update Cleanup.
• If not visible, run:
• This will clean up old update files.

9. Check for Large Files in User Folders

Users often store large files in personal folders.

• Navigate to:
• C:\Users\[Username]\Downloads
• C:\Users\[Username]\Documents
• C:\Users\[Username]\Videos
• Delete or move large files (e.g., videos, ISOs, backups).
• Use Storage Sense (Settings > System > Storage):
• Turn on Storage Sense.
• Set it to automatically clean up temporary files and remove unused apps.

10. Disable or Remove Unnecessary Features

Some Windows features add bloat.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features.
• Remove unused features like:
• Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) (if not needed)
• Hyper-V (if not used for virtualisation)
• Print and Document Experience
• Xbox Game Bar or Xbox App

???? Note: Removing features may require a reboot.

11. Check for Malware or Unwanted Software

Malware can create large, hidden files.

• Run a full scan using Windows Security or a trusted third-party antivirus.
• Use Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner to remove adware and unwanted toolbars.

12. Move Large Files to External Storage

If you can’t delete files, move them.

• Copy large files (e.g., videos, backups, archives) to an external drive or network storage.
• Use File History or Backup and Restore to back up important data.

13. Consider Storage Migration (Long-Term Fix)

If the disk is consistently full:

• Upgrade to a larger drive (SSD preferred).
• Add a secondary drive and move user data or applications.
• Use Storage Spaces (Windows 10/11) to manage multiple drives.

Summary Checklist

Next Steps

If you’ve completed the above and still have low disk space:

• Check if Windows is using a lot of space due to updates or logs.
• Consider compressing files or using deduplication (available in Windows Server).
• If the issue persists, contact your IT support team for a deeper analysis.

????️ For organisations: Implement regular disk monitoring and automated cleanup policies using Group Policy or third-party tools like CCleaner or SolarWinds Storage Monitor.

Let us know if you need help with specific tools or scripts to automate these steps.