How to Free Up Disk Space (Windows and Mac)

The fastest way to free up disk space is to empty the Recycle Bin or Trash, clear temporary files with Storage Sense (Windows) or Storage Management (Mac), and uninstall apps you no longer use. Those three steps usually recover several gigabytes in a few minutes — and you never have to touch your photos.

Where your space actually goes

Before deleting anything, look at what’s using the space. Both Windows and macOS have a built-in storage breakdown:

The System Data category (called “Other” on older Macs) is usually the biggest surprise — it’s caches, logs, and temporary files that are safe to clear.

Method 1: Windows — Storage Sense

1. Open Settings → System → Storage.
2. Turn on Storage Sense — it automatically deletes temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin on a schedule.
3. Click Temporary files. Windows lists categories like Temporary files, Downloads, and Recycle Bin with their sizes.
4. Tick the ones you don’t need and click Remove files.
5. Back on the Storage page, click Cleanup recommendations for large or unused items (old Windows updates, unused apps).

Downloads is often the single biggest folder. Sort it by size and clear the installers and duplicates you’ve already used.

Method 2: Mac — Storage Management

1. Open System Settings → General → Storage.
2. Click Store in iCloud to move Desktop and Documents to iCloud if you use it, freeing local space.
3. Click Optimize next to Photos to keep full-resolution images in iCloud.
4. Choose Empty Trash Automatically to remove deleted files after 30 days.
5. Expand Applications and delete apps you don’t use by selecting one and clicking Delete.

macOS’ System Data is cleared by restarting, by clearing app caches, or with third-party cleaners — but always check what you’re removing first.

Method 3: Find the big offenders manually

If you’re still short on space, hunt down large files:

• Windows: open File Explorer, search size:>1GB in This PC, then sort by size.
• Mac: in Finder press Cmd + F, filter by File Size → greater than 1 GB.

A single stale video project or old disk image can be worth more than everything else combined.

What NOT to delete

Some folders look like junk but aren’t:

• Windows: C:\Windows\System32, WinSxS, and anything inside Program Files — removing these breaks Windows or your apps.
• Mac: /System, /Library, and /Applications (delete apps only through Finder, which moves them to the Trash properly).
• Both: never delete a folder you don’t recognise just because it’s large. Check what it is first.

For general slowdowns rather than disk pressure, see how to speed up a slow computer. If you’re clearing browser data specifically, how to clear your cache covers that separately.

How much free space do you need?

Windows wants at least 15–20 GB free for updates and the page file; macOS wants roughly 10–15% of the drive free. Below that, both systems slow down noticeably.

FAQ

How do I free up disk space quickly?

Empty the Recycle Bin or Trash, run Storage Sense (Windows) or Storage Management (Mac), and delete unused apps. That’s usually 5–20 GB in under ten minutes.

What is safe to delete to free up space?

Temporary files, Downloads you’ve already used, the Recycle Bin/Trash, and unused apps. Never delete System32 (Windows) or /System (Mac).

Why is my disk still full after deleting files?

They’re probably still in the Recycle Bin/Trash, or a cloud app (OneDrive, Photos) is holding copies. Empty the bin, then check Storage for the biggest category.

How much free space should I keep?

Aim for at least 15 GB free on Windows and 10–15% of the drive on Mac.

Does freeing disk space speed up my computer?

Yes, if the drive was nearly full — both systems use free space for caching and paging. Once you’re comfortably above the thresholds, deleting more won’t make it faster.