This is a quick guide on h ow to free up space on the C dri ve to keep your system functioning at its best. We’ve detailed the solutions from the easiest to the too-many-steps method, depending on what works for you. Go through them and choose the best method to clear your system if your C drive is full . You can also let us know what method worked for you in the comments below after fixing the issue. With that said, let’s begin.
What Is the C Drive?
The C drive is the main or primary storage partition on your computer. This is where you can find the operating system, crucial system files, and installed default programs. In other words, every vital process takes place in the C drive. Without it, your PC is basically brain dead. If you want to see what’s going on in your primary drive, you can use Storage Sense ( Win + I > System > Storage ). It will give you a breakdown of what’s consuming space, from videos to system files to apps.
What Can I Delete from My Computer?
Even though freeing up space on your PC can improve its performance, you must be careful with some items you delete.
Deleting essential files can cause some apps to malfunction, lose data, or cause your PC to be unstable. Here are some items you shouldn’t delete:
- Windows registry entries. Changing or removing registry entries may seriously impair the system’s functionality. As with everything related to the Windows registry , always proceed with caution!
- System files. The Windows operating system files are necessary for properly operating your computer. If you remove these, your computer may become unresponsive or unstable.
- Program files. Don’t delete folders with installed programs because it can cause some apps to malfunction or stop working entirely. You also shouldn’t remove any files in the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folder.
- User account files. Deleting files linked with user accounts, including system folders and user profiles, can cause data loss and affect your computer’s stability.
Check out this video on
how to uninstall programs and remove all leftovers from your Windows PC to effectively clean your disk space. Additionally, using a PC cleaner like
Auslogics BoostSpeed can help keep your PC in top shape.
How to Free Up Space on the C Drive
Follow the solutions below to clear space on the C drive. Go through the steps, starting from the simplest:
Method 1: Use good third-party software
It is not a secret that the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to clean up your disk space is by using third-party software. There are many options available on the market, such as CCleaner , Advanced SystemCare , or Iolo System Mechanic . In fact, we have conducted a comprehensive overview of different PC cleaners . Their key advantage is maximum automation and speed in the cleaning process. One of the best programs for freeing up space on your C drive is Auslogics BoostSpeed . It’s an all-in-one utility designed to clean, speed up, and generally make your computer perform better. In terms of clearing space on your C drive, BoostSpeed has several tools, depending on what you want to delete. In other words, you don’t have to install separate tools for specific tasks, like when you want to delete duplicate files or temporary files. Here’s how to use the tool to get more storage on your C drive:
- Go to the Auslogics official site, download the software , and install it.
- Open the program and click on My Tools to open all the resources available to you.
- Scroll down to search for Deep Disk Cleaner and click on it.
- Then, click on Scan Now after ticking the files you want to scan.
Note
The tool performs deep disk scans for all kinds of junk files,
temporary files , system files, old backup files, and other clutter that stores up over time.
- After the scan is completed, select the files you wish to delete and click Clean up.
Besides removing clutter from your system, you can also delete duplicate files and photos , Windows updates, and unused applications.
PRO TIP
For example, if you want to uninstall programs and apps, go back to All Tools and click on Uninstall Manager. From there, you can select all the applications you want to delete and click Uninstall.
This will completely remove unnecessary apps and programs, including all leftovers that usually remain when uninstalling with Windows tools. Additionally, Auslogics BoostSpeed allows you to force uninstall any program you can’t delete using normal methods like Control Panel.
So, as I have mentioned, a third-party app is a convenient solution for cleaning your computer. However, there are also built-in methods that can help clean your C drive.
Let’s now talk about them.
Method 2: Run Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows designed to remove unnecessary files from your drives.
We have a detailed guide on
how to use Disk Cleanup . That’s why here, we will just cover the basic steps to remove some initial clutter. Be sure to check out the full article!
For example, with Disk Cleanup, you can free up space by deleting temporary files (both internet and Windows), Recycle Bin files, system files, and thumbnails.
Here’s how to free up space on the C drive on Windows 10 and 11 using Disk Cleanup:
- Go to File Explorer.
- Click This PC , right-click on your primary drive (usually, it’s the C drive), and select Properties .
- Then, select Disk Cleanup.
- Click Clean up system files and check the items you want to delete.
We can’t fail to mention one more built-in Windows method to manage C drive space: Storage Sense. It helps remove temporary files, files in the Recycle Bin, files in the Downloads folder, old Windows update files, and system error memory dump files. While Disk Cleanup requires user input for each session, Storage Sense automates the process. So, consider using Disk Cleanup for immediate analysis and cleaning, while Storage Sense is a great option for scheduled maintenance . Here is a simple comparison showing why a third-party tool is more efficient than Windows built-in tools for cleaning your C drive:
| Feature |
Auslogics BoostSpeed |
Windows Disk Cleanup |
Storage Sense |
| Automation |
Fully automated cleanup and optimization |
Manual selection required |
Fully automated, runs in the background |
| Types of files cleaned |
Temporary files, junk files, browser cache, registry entries, and system logs |
Temporary files, old update files, Recycle Bin files, and system logs |
Temporary files, old update files, Recycle Bin files, Downloads folder files |
| Registry cleanup |
Yes, scans and fixes invalid registry entries |
No registry cleanup |
No registry cleanup |
| Deep cleaning |
Identifies hidden junk files and optimizes performance |
Basic file cleanup only |
More comprehensive, including automatic removal of older files |
| Performance optimization |
Includes defragmentation, startup optimization, and RAM management |
No performance optimization features |
No performance optimization features |
| Scheduled cleanup |
Yes, automatic scheduled cleanups available |
No built-in scheduling |
Yes, runs automatically when enabled |
| Security features |
Can remove tracking cookies and privacy traces |
No security or privacy traces cleanup |
No security or privacy traces cleanup |
| Software uninstaller |
Includes a tool to remove unwanted programs completely |
No built-in uninstaller |
No built-in uninstaller |
| Price |
Paid software (Free trial available) |
Free, built into Windows |
Free, built into Windows |
PRO TIP
Auslogics BoostSpeed provides a comprehensive cleanup, going beyond basic file removal to include registry cleaning, performance optimization, and more.
It offers automatic scheduling, which saves you time and ensures regular maintenance.
The tool includes advanced features like RAM management and a software uninstaller, making it a complete solution. Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup are useful for basic cleanup but lack the deep optimization and automation that BoostSpeed offers.
Method 3: Disable hibernation
Hibernate is a semi-shutdown mode that helps speed up Windows startup. It’s an alternative to completely shutting down your computer.
To clear space on the C drive, you can switch off the hibernation feature to get more disk space. Here’s why.
While hibernating, your computer uses disk space to store a snapshot of your drivers and files. You can save disk space if you don’t need a fast startup .
That’s because the hiberfil.sys file can take up a large amount of drive space. Follow the steps below to disable the hibernation feature:
- Click the Start button, type Command Prompt , and select Run as administrator .
- Type powercfg /hibernate off into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
If you want to enable the feature again, follow the above steps and enter the powercfg /hibernate command .
Method 4: Uninstall unneeded programs
If you have programs or applications you don’t need, you can delete them to free up space on your C drive. Too many programs can slow down your PC, which can decrease productivity. Also, your computer may have pre-installed bloatware, which could be taking up unnecessary space. Let’s go through steps to delete apps: Windows 10
- Go to Settings and select Programs .
- Then, select Apps & features .
- You can then delete the programs by clicking Uninstall.
You can use the search box to find the programs faster and delete them.
Windows 11
- Open Settings (press
Win + I).
- Go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the app you want to uninstall.
- Click Uninstall and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
PRO TIP
Don’t forget that most programs tend to leave some residual files behind after deletion. These leftovers accumulate over time, taking up space on your C drive.
This is where Auslogics BoostSpeed comes in. Unlike the standard Windows method, BoostSpeed removes every single leftover file on your system while uninstalling the program, giving you the valuable space you need.
Method 5: Change the Recycle Bin settings
When you delete files, they go into the Recycle Bin . If you don’t delete the files in the Recycle Bin, they’ll still take up space on your C drive. However, you can change its settings to create more space besides deleting files from it. Windows reserves 5% of the available space to keep deleted files. The system automatically deletes files, beginning with the oldest, when this limit is reached. You can change the amount of space allocated to the Recycle Bin to free up space on C drive. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on the Recycle Bin and select Properties .
- If you have multiple partitions, select your preferred location to configure.
- Select Custom size under Settings for selected location .
- Enter the maximum amount of drive space you want the Recycle Bin to use next to Maximum size (MB) .
- Click Apply and select OK to apply the changes.
You can also choose to remove files permanently the moment they are deleted if your C drive is full. Just click the Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin radio button and click Apply to confirm.
It’s generally a good idea not to exceed 70% of your total hard drive capacity, whether a traditional
hard disk drive or a solid-state drive .
This can help reduce wear and tear, prevent performance problems, prevent over-provisioning in SSDs, and more.
For example, when a drive is almost full, it performs more write operations because of temporary files, installations, and updates.
Excessive writes can decrease the drive’s lifespan by causing faster wear. So, keep it below 70% for optimal performance and a longer lifespan.
Method 6: Use NTFS compression to free up space
The NT File System (NTFS) has an integrated compression feature. It reduces the amount of storage current files use while maintaining regular access.
You can compress folders, individual files, or the entire drive.
Warning
Compressing your data can negatively affect your system performance because it constantly compresses and decompresses data. So use this option only if your hardware is capable and you have no other options.
To enable NTFS compression, follow the steps below:
- Open File Explorer.
- Search for the folder you want to compress, right-click on it, and select Properties .
- Next, choose Advanced.
- Check Compress contents to save disk space under the Compress or Encrypt attributes section and click OK .
- Select Apply and select Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files .
- Click the OK button to begin compressing.
The steps above focus on folders. But you can use the same steps for individual files. If you want to disable the NFTS compression, use the same instructions—just make sure to uncheck Compress contents to save disk space under Compress or Encrypt attributes . How to compress an entire driveGo through the below steps to enable NTFS compression for your entire drive:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click This PC .
- Right-click on the drive you want to compress under the Devices and drives section and select Properties.
- Check Compress this drive to save disk space.
- Click the Apply button.
- Select Apply changes to drive [drive letter], subfolders, and files .
- Click the OK button.
If you want to disable the feature, use the same steps and just uncheck the Compress this drive to save disk space option. All the methods I’ve talked about can help you free up space on your C drive. However, remember that some options are limited. In fact, some methods may not have the capacity for deep cleaning, such as removing large files or deleting duplicates. However, Auslogics BoostSpeed provides these tools, ensuring that your hard drive is fully cleaned—from temporary files to large or duplicate videos and pictures.
How to Free Up Space on the C Drive: Explained
I’m positive that the methods we’ve discussed can help you free up space on your C drive, regardless of the files you want to delete.
What’s left is for you to choose the best method that guarantees the best results for your situation. To get more space, you can use a combination of some methods or a third-party PC cleaner, which is much simpler.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
FAQ
You can use the Settings app to check what’s cluttering your system. Open Settings, select System, and click on Storage. You should see everything you need to know.
You can use the Disk Management tool to perform this action. But I’d recommend backing up your data just in case. In Disk Management, right-click on the D drive and select Shrink to create unallocated space. Then, right-click on your C drive and select Extend Volume. If the unallocated space is adjacent to the C drive, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. If not, you may need third-party partition software.
You can delete temporary files, empty your Recycle Bin, and clean out the Downloads folder. Another option is to uninstall programs you don’t need anymore or move large files to an external drive.
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