How to free up space on your disks?

Here’s how to free up hard drive space on your desktop or laptop.

Uninstall unnecessary apps and programs

Just because you’re not actively using an outdated app doesn’t mean it’s still not hanging around. Get control of your storage space by deleting unused applications that take up space.

To do this successfully:

• Click the “Start” button from your desktop.
• Select “Apps”.
• Then select “Apps and Features”.
• Sort by size to see which programs are eating up the most space.
• Get rid of any you don’t use by selecting the program and clicking “Uninstall”.

Clean your desktop

Many of us store everything on our desktop by default, but there’s a better way. Having lots of desktop clutter can slow your computer because these files take up operating memory to display all the time.

Consider deleting any files that you don’t need and move the rest to the Documents, Video, and Photos folders. You’ll free up a little space on your hard drive when you delete them, and those that you keep won’t continue to slow your computer down.

Use the Disk Cleanup Tool

This handy utility comes standard in Windows 10 PCs and is a one-click solution to deleting unnecessary operating system files. Windows can recognize these for you and remove the ones it no longer needs.

• Launch the Disk Cleanup by asking Cortana or selecting it from your search box.
• Choose “Drive: C” to perform the task, which will take several minutes to complete - or longer if it’s your first time.

Note: Disk Cleanup Tool is not the same as the Disk Defragment Tool. While both are essential for optimum performance, the second tool helps manage important files without creating more room on your hard drive. Be sure to schedule both tasks for the best results.

 

Deal with downloads

For anyone wanting to know how to free up space on a laptop hard drive, one of the simplest ways is to tackle the large list of downloads you’re likely to have on your device.

Many of us have downloaded videos, music files, photos, and PDF documents that we may or may not need ever again. Some downloads are important, though, so take time to look in your download folder and move important files to the appropriate permanent folders.

Once finished, delete the remaining ones by selecting “All” and clicking “Delete.”

Maintenance is vital

Freeing up space on your hard drive can take time, but it’s part of a regular PC maintenance plan for both desktop and laptop computers.

In fact, the more often you can do these tasks, the less time each will take - and the better your device will perform. Some additional tasks can help, such as deleting fuzzy or duplicate photos on a regular basis.

Don’t forget to permanently free your hard drive of all the files and programs you’ve deleted. A final emptying of the “Recycle Bin” is needed to make the trash go away for good!

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