Introduction
Is your PC running slow? Are you receiving warnings that your disk is running out of space? It’s essential to free up disk space on your PC regularly. When a PC’s disk space gets too full, performance issues occur, making the computer slow and unresponsive. In this article, we’ll focus on the different methods you can try to free up disk space on your PC, improve its performance, and avoid potential issues.
Clear Temporary Files
Temporary files are data that applications create for temporary use. However, when these files accumulate, they can take up valuable disk space and slow down your PC. To delete temporary files manually, access your disk cleanup utility to remove these files. Alternatively, many efficient third-party utility software, such as CCleaner, can remove temporary files from your computer. By periodically cleaning temporary files, you can keep your PC running faster.
Remove Unwanted Programs
Having too many programs installed can lower your available disk space. Uninstalling these unwanted programs can have a positive impact. To identify these unwanted programs, follow these steps:
- Go to the Start menu and select settings.
- Select App & features
- Review the list of installed programs and remove any that are no longer needed.
Compress Large Files and Folders
If you have large files and folders, you can compress them to save valuable disk space. There are many software packages that you can use to compress your files, such as WinRAR and 7-Zip. It’s essential to purchase a compression tool that meets your needs effectively. Once you’ve compressed your files, you can transfer them to external storage to further free up disk space.
Move Photos and Videos to Cloud or External Drive
If you have a large photo or video library, transferring them to a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox is an effective method of clearing disk space. By uploading your files to the cloud, you can enhance the security of your data, access the files from anywhere, and free up space on your PC. Alternatively, you can transfer the files to an external hard drive or thumb drive. It’s essential to choose an external device that is compatible with your computer and has enough storage space.
Disable Hibernation Mode
Hibernation mode is a feature that allows Windows to save a copy of your system files and drivers in a file called the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys). Disabling this feature can recover several gigabytes of used disk space, which enhances the overall performance of your computer system. To disable the hibernation mode feature, follow these steps:
- Type “cmd” in the search bar to bring up the command prompt.
- Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Enter “powercfg.exe /hibernate off” without the quotes.
Use Disk Cleanup Tool
The Disk Cleanup tool is Microsoft’s in-built utility software that deletes unnecessary files on your disk, such as temporary files and system files. The tool can also clean up system files, freeing up additional storage space. To run the disk cleanup tool, follow these steps:
- Go to the Start menu and type “disk cleanup” in the search bar.
- Select Disk Cleanup from the results list.
- Choose the drive where you want to free up space.
- Wait for the Disk Cleanup to finish scanning the system.
- Select the files you want to delete.
Delete Old System Restore Points
System Restore Points is a feature that saves the entire state of your operating system at a specific point in time. These points take up disk space over time and can be deleted to free up space. To delete old System Restore Points, follow these steps:
- Go to the search bar and type “System Properties.”
- Select System Protection and click Configure.
- Select Delete in the System Protection tab and click OK to delete previous Restore Points.
Conclusion
Freeing up disk space is essential to maintain your computer’s performance. With these tips and tricks, you can now recover essential storage space on your system. By clearing temporary files, removing unwanted programs, compressing files, and moving media to the cloud or external drives, you can prevent your disk from running out of space in the future. Practice good disk space management, and your PC’s performance will be guaranteed to improve.
