How to Free Up Disk Space on Windows and Mac

We’ve all been there.

Disk space is almost full and the inevitable pop-ups poke fun at our digital hoarding habits. Whether it's old photos, outdated applications, or that 10MB folder of client communication files from 2008, we've all got a digital graveyard of files we just can't seem to part with.

If you are wondering how to free up disk space on Mac or PC, there are plenty of disk cleanup software, backup software, and non-software options that will increase your hard drive space and keep every single file safe and sound.

Whether you're a freelancer managing bulky project files, a remote worker juggling bloated cache files, or simply an everyday Mac or Windows user tired of dismissing low-storage warnings, this guide is built for you. We cover everything from quick fixes you can finish in a coffee break to deeper system cleanups and automated software solutions so you can stop micromanaging gigabytes and get back to work.

If you'd rather let an app handle it, we've also included the top-rated disk cleanup software based on G2 reviews.

Quick reference: How to free up disk space on Windows 11 and Mac

Before beginning the cleanup, let’s figure out how much disk space you’re actually working with. You'll need a different approach if you have barely any space than if you have plenty of wiggle room.

Before you start: Check your storage and back up

Start by seeing how much space you have and what's using it. That tells you where to focus, whether that's apps, photos, or system files.

Check disk space on a Windows 11 PC

Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage. You'll see how much space is used on your main drive (usually C:) and a breakdown by category, such as apps, temporary files, and documents. Select Show more categories to see the full list.

Check disk space on Mac

Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Storage. The bar at the top shows what's using space, and the list below breaks it down by category. On macOS Monterey or earlier, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage instead.

Still on Windows 10? Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but most of the steps below work the same way under Settings > System > Storage. Cleanup recommendations are only available on Windows 11.

Back up first. Several of these steps permanently delete files. Before a big cleanup, back up anything you can't replace to an external drive or cloud storage.

Here are ten ways to free up disk space.

1. Empty the recycle bin or trash

When you delete a file, it goes to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) and keeps taking up space until you empty it. This is the fastest fix on the list, and it often frees more space than you'd expect.

On Windows 11: Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.

On Mac: Control-click the Trash icon in the Dock and choose Empty Trash. If you use the Photos app, also check the Recently Deleted album. Photos keeps deleted pictures there for 30 days, and they still take up space until you remove them.

2. Clear out your downloads folder

Downloads is where installers, PDFs, zip files, and one-time attachments pile up. Most of it is safe to delete once you've saved what you need somewhere else.

On Windows 11: Open File Explorer > Downloads. Select Sort > Size to put the largest files at the top, then delete what you don't need.

On Mac: In Finder, choose Go > Downloads. Switch to list view (View > as List) and click the Size column to sort by file size.

Tip: Old installer files (.exe and .msi on Windows, .dmg and .pkg on Mac) are almost always safe to delete once the app is installed.

3. Uninstall apps you don't use

Apps you tried once, games you've finished, and software that came preinstalled on your laptop can take up a surprising amount of space. Sort by size so you tackle the biggest ones first.

On Windows 11: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Change Sort by to Size (large to small), select the three dots next to an app you don't need, and choose Uninstall.

On Mac: Open Finder > Applications, drag the app to the Trash, then empty the Trash. You can also go to System Settings > General > Storage, click the Info button (i) next to Applications, select an app, and click Delete. If an app includes its own uninstaller, use it instead so it removes everything it installed.

4. Turn on built-in automatic cleanup

Both operating systems can clean up for you in the background. Turning these features on keeps space from filling back up after a one-time cleanup.

Disk cleanup on Windows 10 and 11: Storage Sense (Cleanup recommendations are Windows 11 only) 

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn Storage Sense on.
2. Select Storage Sense to set it up. Choose when it runs, how long files stay in the Recycle Bin, and how long unopened files stay in Downloads.
3. If you use OneDrive, you can also have files you haven't opened in a while become online-only, so they stay in the cloud without taking up local space.

Storage Sense only cleans the drive Windows is installed on, which is usually C:.

For a one-time review, go to Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Windows groups what it suggests removing into temporary files, large or unused files, files already synced to the cloud, and unused apps, and shows how much space each one frees.

How to clean up disk space on Mac: Storage recommendations

Go to System Settings > General > Storage. Under Recommendations, you'll see up to three options. Any you've already turned on may not appear in the list.

• Store in iCloud: keeps files, photos, and messages in iCloud and stores only recent files and optimized photos on your Mac.
• Optimize storage: removes Apple TV movies and shows you've already watched and keeps only recent email attachments on your Mac.
• Empty trash automatically: deletes items that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.

macOS also clears caches and logs that are safe to delete on its own when your Mac runs low on space.

5. Delete temporary files and caches

Apps, browsers, and system updates create temporary files and caches to run faster. Over time, they can grow to several gigabytes, and most are safe to remove.

Disk cleanup on a Windows 11 PC: 

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files.
2. Review the list, which can include Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, thumbnails, and temporary internet files.
3. Check the items you want to delete and select Remove files.

Watch out: this list can also include your Downloads folder. Uncheck it if you want to keep anything in Downloads.

The older Disk Cleanup tool is still included in Windows 10 and 11 if you prefer it. Search for "Disk Cleanup" from the Start menu, choose your drive, and select Clean up system files to include update leftovers.

On Mac: macOS manages most system caches automatically, so you don't need to dig into system folders. Restarting your Mac and keeping macOS up to date also helps clear temporary files. 

Clear your browser cache (Windows and Mac): In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data, choose Cached images and files, and confirm. Other browsers have a similar option in their privacy settings. Leave cookies and passwords unchecked if you don't want to be signed out of websites.

6. Find and remove large and duplicate files

A handful of large files, like old videos, disk images, or project archives, can take up more space than thousands of small ones. Duplicates, especially photos, add up quickly too.

On Windows 11:

• Check Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations > Large or unused files.
• Or open File Explorer, go to This PC, and type size:gigantic in the search box to find files over 4 GB (or size:huge for files from 1 GB to 4 GB).

On Mac:

• Go to System Settings > General > Storage, click the Info button (i) next to Documents, and open Large Files. Select what you don't need and click Delete.
• In the Photos app, open the Duplicates album under Utilities to find and merge duplicate photos and videos.

For a full view of your drive, disk space analyzers and duplicate finders, like the tools covered in the software section below, show exactly which folders are the largest and flag copies for you.

7. Move files to cloud storage

Cloud storage lets you keep files you rarely open without storing them on your laptop. The files stay listed in your folders and download when you open them.

On Windows 11: If you use OneDrive, right-click a file or folder in your OneDrive folder and select Free up space. It becomes online-only and stops taking up local space. Storage Sense can also do this automatically for files you haven't opened in a while.

On Mac: Turn on Store in iCloud in Storage settings. For photos, open Photos > Settings > iCloud and choose Optimize Mac Storage to keep full-resolution originals in iCloud. For individual files in iCloud Drive, Control-click and choose Remove Download.

Free cloud plans usually come with limited storage (both OneDrive and iCloud start at 5 GB), so large photo and video libraries often need a paid plan. For businesses, file storage and sharing software adds team access controls and collaboration features. 

8. Move files to an external drive

An external hard drive or portable SSD is a one-time purchase that gives you storage capacity for files you don't need every day, like photo archives, finished projects, and old videos. External hard drives usually cost less per gigabyte, while portable SSDs are faster and more durable.

On Windows 11, you can also send new content straight to another drive: go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.

Keep in mind: If files exist only on an external drive, that drive is not a backup. Keep a second copy of anything important in the cloud or on another drive.

9. Remove old system files and backups

System leftovers are some of the largest space hogs, and they're easy to miss because they don't show up in your regular folders.

How to free up disk space on Windows 11: 

• Previous Windows installation files: After a major upgrade, like moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Windows keeps a copy of your old version so you can roll back. That copy can take up many gigabytes. Once you're happy with the upgrade, go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, check Previous Windows installation(s), and select Remove files. You won't be able to go back to the previous version afterward.
• System restore points: Search for Create a restore point, select your drive on the System Protection tab, and select Configure. You can lower the maximum space restore points use or delete them all. Deleting them means you can't restore your PC to an earlier point, so consider creating a fresh restore point afterward.
• Hibernation file: If you never use Hibernate, you can turn it off to remove its hidden file, which can take up several gigabytes depending on your RAM. Open Terminal (Admin) and run powercfg /hibernate off. This also turns off Fast Startup.

How to free up disk space on Mac:

• Old iPhone and iPad backups: In Finder, select your device in the sidebar and click Manage Backups to delete backups you no longer need. You can also find them under iOS Files in Storage settings.
• Messages attachments: Go to Messages > Settings > General and change Keep messages from Forever to 1 year or 30 days. You can also click the Info button next to Messages in Storage settings to delete large attachments.
• System Data: This category includes caches, logs, temporary files, and local Time Machine snapshots. You can't delete it directly from Storage settings, and macOS clears much of it on its own. Restarting, installing macOS updates, and letting Time Machine finish its backups usually shrinks it. Avoid deleting files from system folders by hand.

10. Use disk cleanup software to free up hard drive space

If you'd rather not do all of this by hand, disk cleanup software can handle much of it for you. These tools scan for temporary files, caches, and leftover app data, show which folders take up the most space, and find duplicates, often in a single scan. Some also compress old files you rarely open.

Built-in tools cover most people's needs. Cleanup software earns its place when you want a visual map of your drive, better duplicate detection, or one app that handles cleanup across several steps.

What are the top 5 disk cleanup software?

If you'd rather let an app do the work, all five tools below are on G2's Fall 2026 Grid Report for Disk Cleanup Software. To qualify for the category, a product must delete files stored in temporary folders, compress old files to free up storage, and clear cached files.

Disk cleanup software frees up storage by deleting obsolete and unwanted files, which can help a computer run more smoothly when its drive is nearly full. It usually targets temporary files, files in a computer's Downloads folder, and objects in the Trash or Recycle Bin for permanent removal. Disk cleaning also compresses older, untouched data to save storage space.

Each of the five tools below handles a different part of the job. CCleaner and CleanMyMac are all-in-one cleaners for Windows and Mac. TreeSize shows you where your space is going so you can decide what to delete. Duplicate Files Fixer and Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro focus on finding copies.

1. CCleaner: Best for all-in-one PC cleanup

CCleaner is one of the longest-running PC cleanup tools. It clears temporary files, browser caches and cookies, and leftover app data, and it lets you uninstall apps and manage startup programs from the same place.

On G2, it has far more reviews (620+) than any other tool in the category, which come from small businesses (46%), mid-market companies (24%), and enterprises (30%).

What G2 users dislike about CCleaner:

• Some of the most convenient features require a paid plan. G2 reviewers point to automatic cleaning and extras like driver updates sitting behind CCleaner Professional, along with upgrade prompts in the free version. The free version still handles manual cleanup well, which covers most people who run a scan when space gets tight.
• The deeper cleaning options need a careful eye. Reviewers note that options like the registry cleaner or clearing cookies and saved data can remove things you meant to keep, and a few wished the app explained each option before cleaning. That same depth is why technical users rely on it, since they can tune cleanup item by item.

2. CleanMyMac: Best for Mac cleanup and complete app removal

CleanMyMac, from MacPaw, scans your Mac for system junk, leftover app files, and large or duplicate clutter. Its Space Lens feature maps your drive by folder size, so you can see what's taking up room before you delete anything. It also includes malware scanning and app management.

Formerly called CleanMyMac X, it runs on macOS 11 or later. Most of its reviewers (91%) are solo professionals and small businesses. 

What G2 users dislike about CleanMyMac:

• The subscription can feel steep for occasional cleanup. G2 reviewers mention the overall price and the cost of licensing several Macs, and a few expressed wanting monthly billing. It's best suited to people who manage their own Macs and want cleanup, uninstalls, and malware checks in one app.
• It can feel heavy on some Macs. A handful of reviewers say the app is slow to open or uses noticeable memory and CPU. Its menu bar monitor tracks memory, CPU, and storage in the background, which is the trade-off for getting ongoing alerts instead of running a one-time cleanup.

3. TreeSize: Best for seeing exactly what's filling your drive

TreeSize, from JAM Software, is a disk space analyzer for Windows. Instead of deleting files automatically, it shows you exactly where your space is going, with folder sizes and charts down to individual files, so you decide what to remove.

What G2 users dislike about TreeSize:

• It's Windows-only, and full scans can require admin rights. Mac and Linux users will need a different tool, and reviewers mention that it asks for administrator rights, which can be a hurdle on managed work computers. For Windows users and IT teams with that access, it's one of the most direct ways to see what's filling a drive.
• Advanced features are in the paid editions. Reviewers note that the more powerful features sit behind a paywall. JAM Software reserves tools like duplicate search, advanced filtering, and custom export formats for its paid editions. The free version is enough for most people who just need to find large folders, while the paid editions suit teams managing storage across many machines.

4. Duplicate Files Fixer: Best for removing duplicates across local and cloud storage

Duplicate Files Fixer, from Systweak Software, scans local drives, external drives, and cloud storage for duplicate documents, photos, videos, and music. It groups matching files together and automatically marks copies for removal, and you can preview files before deleting them. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Android.

What G2 users dislike about Duplicate Files Fixer:

• The trial is limited, and the free mobile app shows ads. The trial removes only 15 duplicates, and reviewers using the free Android app mention ads. The trial still shows how many duplicates you have before you pay, and the full version fits anyone clearing out large archives or shared folders.
• Big scans take time, and results deserve a quick review. Reviewers say full scans of large drives, or of cloud folders on a slow connection, can take a while, and a few files may be missed or mismatched, especially video. It's best suited to occasional deep cleanups, where a longer scan is worth the space it recovers.

5. Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro: Best for removing duplicate and similar-looking photos

Also from Systweak, Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro focuses on photo libraries. It finds exact duplicates and similar-looking shots, supports more than 20 image formats including HEIC and RAW, and runs on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

What G2 users dislike about Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro:

• Scanning very large libraries can be slow on older hardware. Reviewers with big hard drives or lower-end PCs describe long scans. Scan time depends on library size and hardware, and running it on an SSD, where most laptop photo libraries live, should help.
• Similar-photo matches need a second look. A few reviewers found it grouping different photos or missing shots with small resolution changes, and it always keeps at least one copy from each set. That cautious approach fits its purpose: thinning out duplicates without risking the only copy of a photo.

Back up before you clean up

Freeing up space means deleting files for good. Some steps in this guide, like removing previous Windows installation files or old restore points, can't be undone. With a current backup, a cleanup mistake costs you a few minutes instead of your files.

Backup software copies your files to an external drive or the cloud on a schedule, keeps older versions, and lets you restore a single file or your whole computer. Both operating systems include a basic option:

• On Windows 11: the Windows Backup app backs up your folders, settings, and apps to OneDrive.
• On Mac: Time Machine automatically backs up your whole Mac to an external drive.

For files you can't replace, follow the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of your data on two different types of storage, with one copy offsite, such as in the cloud. Dedicated backup software makes that easier with scheduling, encryption, and one place to manage backups across devices.

How to keep your disk from filling up again

A one-time cleanup helps, but space tends to fill back up. A few habits keep it under control:

• Leave automatic cleanup on. Storage Sense on Windows and Empty Trash Automatically on Mac do most of the upkeep for you.
• Check your storage once a month. It takes a minute and lets you catch a large download or a growing folder early.
• Keep some breathing room. A common rule of thumb is to keep at least 10–20% of your drive free, so updates install smoothly and your computer has room for temporary files.
• Watch for the usual space hogs. Games, video projects, virtual machines, and downloaded AI models can each take up many gigabytes.
• Archive instead of hoarding. Move finished projects and old media to the cloud or an external drive on a regular schedule.
• Back up regularly. Backup software runs on a schedule, so cleaning up never puts important files at risk. 

Frequently asked questions about clearing up disk space

Got more questions? Here are the answers.

Q1. How much free disk space should I keep?

A common rule of thumb is to keep at least 10–20% of your drive free. System updates need room to download and install, and your computer uses free space for temporary files. When a drive is nearly full, updates can fail and apps may slow down.

Q2. Why is my disk full when I haven't saved many files?

Space often goes to things you don't see: temporary files, caches, leftovers from system updates, restore points, old phone backups, and apps. On Windows, check Settings > System > Storage. On Mac, check System Settings > General > Storage to see which category is the largest.

Q3. Is it safe to delete temporary files?

Yes. Temporary files created by apps and Windows updates are safe to remove with built-in tools like Storage Sense, the Temporary files page, or Disk Cleanup. Check the list before you confirm, because it can include your Downloads folder. On Mac, macOS clears safe-to-delete caches automatically.

Q4. Can I delete previous Windows installation files?

Yes, if you're happy with your current version of Windows. These files let you roll back after an upgrade. Once you delete them, you can't go back to the previous version.

Q5. What is System Data on a Mac, and can I delete it?

System Data includes caches, logs, temporary files, and local Time Machine snapshots. You can't delete it directly from Storage settings, and you shouldn't remove system files by hand. Restarting your Mac, installing updates, and letting Time Machine finish backups usually reduces it.

Q6. Will freeing up disk space make my computer faster?

It can if your drive is nearly full. Your operating system needs free space for updates, temporary files, and virtual memory, so a very full drive can slow things down. If you already have plenty of free space, deleting more files won't make much difference to speed. Plus, if your computer is still slow after a cleanup, benchmark software can show whether storage or other hardware is the bottleneck.

Q7. Do deleted files free up space right away?

Not always. Deleted files stay in the Recycle Bin or Trash until you empty it. Also be careful with files in synced folders like OneDrive or iCloud Drive: deleting a synced file on your computer may delete it from the cloud as well.

Q8. How do I free up 20 to 30 GB of space?

Go after a few large items instead of thousands of small ones. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files and remove Previous Windows installation(s) and Windows Update Cleanup, which can take up many gigabytes. On Mac, delete old iPhone and iPad backups from Finder > Manage Backups. On either system, find files over 1 GB (type size:huge in File Explorer, or open Large Files in Storage settings) and uninstall big apps or games you no longer use. Then move video and photo archives to cloud storage or an external drive.

Q9. What should I delete first when my storage is full?

Start with the safest and fastest fixes: empty the Recycle Bin or Trash, then delete old installers from your Downloads folder. Next, uninstall apps you don’t use and remove temporary files. If you still need space, move on to large files, duplicates, old system files and old device backups. Back up anything you can’t replace before you delete it, and don’t remove files from system folders by hand.

Make storage cleanup a habit

Just like keeping your home clean, managing your disk space should be a constant priority, not just a last resort option when you’ve run out of space. A quick monthly check and automatic cleanup keep your files organized and leave room for updates.

Cleanup won't speed up a computer that already has plenty of free space, but if your drive was nearly full, apps and updates may run more smoothly. Your old file from 1999 will still be around, but it won’t hold precious disk space. If you end up using software to help keep your disk space open, be sure to leave a review on G2!

Now that you've learned about freeing up storage space, read this hands-on review of top online backup software on G2.

This article was originally published in 2023. It has been updated with new information.