How to Fix "Not Enough Disk Space" Errors
By Site Editor · Updated September 3, 2026 · 8 min read
Running out of disk space causes apps to crash, updates to fail, and your PC to slow to a crawl. These steps will help you reclaim space quickly and keep it that way.
1. Run Storage Sense to clean up automatically
Go to Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense and turn it on. Click Run Storage Sense now to immediately delete temporary files, old Windows Update files, and items in the Recycle Bin. On a typical system this can free up several gigabytes in minutes with no risk to your personal files.
2. Find and delete large files you no longer need
Settings → System → Storage → Cleanup recommendations shows the biggest space users on your drive. Alternatively, open File Explorer and go to This PC → right-click your C: drive → Properties → Disk Cleanup → Clean up system files. Look especially for Windows Update Cleanup and Previous Windows Installation entries, which can each be several gigabytes.
3. Uninstall apps you no longer use
Settings → Apps → Installed apps → sort by Size. Games, creative software, and old development tools often take up tens of gigabytes. Uninstalling even one or two large unused programs can make an immediate difference. Also check your Downloads folder — it is common for it to quietly grow to many gigabytes of old installers.
4. Move large files to an external drive or cloud storage
Photos, videos, and large project folders are better stored on an external USB drive or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive. OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature lets files appear in File Explorer without taking up local space — they download only when you open them. This is the cleanest long-term solution for users who deal with large media files.
5. Limit how much space System Restore uses
System Restore points can quietly consume gigabytes of space. Search for Create a restore point in the Start menu → select your C: drive → Configure. You can see the current disk usage and reduce the maximum allowed space or delete all existing restore points to reclaim the space immediately. Keep at least one recent restore point as a safety net.
Frequently asked questions
How much free space should I keep on my Windows drive?
A general guideline is to keep at least 10–15% of your drive free. Windows needs free space to create temporary files, run updates, and operate virtual memory. On a 256 GB drive, aim to keep at least 25–38 GB free at all times.
Is it safe to delete Windows Update Cleanup files?
Yes. Windows Update Cleanup files are old update packages kept as a rollback option. Once you are satisfied that a recent update is working correctly, deleting these files is safe and can free up several gigabytes. You will no longer be able to uninstall those specific updates after deletion.
Can I move the Windows pagefile to a different drive?
Yes. If you have a second drive, moving the pagefile there frees up space on the C: drive. Search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" → Advanced → Virtual memory → Change. Set the C: drive to no paging file and create one on the other drive. Requires a restart to take effect.