Reducing Storage Space

Question

How can I make the storage smaller?And I have already deleted my apps.

Answer 1

Hi qayyuum benice,

I understand you’re trying to free up storage, but even after removing apps, space hasn’t decreased much. Before getting further, I need to note that Windows 7 is out of support, so it lacks newer storage features, which manage space much more efficiently. That said, you can still manually recover space:

1 - Use Disk Cleanup properly

• Click Start > type Disk Cleanup > right‑click it and choose Run as administrator
• Select your main drive (usually C:) > Clean up system files
• Check all of these items if present:
  • Windows Update Cleanup
  • Temporary files
  • Temporary Internet Files
  • Recycle Bin
• Click OK and let it complete (this can take a while)

2 - Check what is actually using the space

• Open Computer > right‑click Local Disk (C:) > Properties
• Look at the used space > which takes most space?
• Open C: drive and check these folders:
  • Users (Downloads, Videos, Desktop are common)
  • Windows (do not delete manually, just inspect size)
  • ProgramData

3 - Disable hibernation

• Click Start > type cmd > right‑click Command Prompt > Run as administrator
• Run this command: powercfg -h off > this will remove the hiberfil.sys file

Disclaimer: Only do this if you don't use the Hibernation feature. If you do, don't touch it.

4 - Check System Restore usage

• Right‑click Computer > Properties
• Click System protection > drive C: > Configure
• Reduce the disk space usage or delete old restore points.

If your drive is already small, Windows 7 itself can take a large portion of space, and there is only so much you can reduce. If you want, let me know your total drive size, and how much free space you currently have.

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Answer 2

To reduce storage space in Windows after already deleting apps, use these built‑in options:

1. Check how space is used
2. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
3. Select This PC and look at the free space on the system drive (usually C:).
4. Turn on Storage Sense and use cleanup recommendations
5. Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.
6. Turn on Storage Sense so Windows can automatically remove temporary and unnecessary files.
7. In the same Storage page, use Cleanup recommendations to:
   • Delete temporary files.
   • Remove large or unused files.
   • Remove unused apps (if any remain).
   • Free up space from files already synced to the cloud.
8. Clear Microsoft Store cache
9. Press Windows key + R.
10. Type wsreset.exe and select OK to clear the Microsoft Store cache, which can free some disk space.
11. Move personal files off the system drive
12. Connect an external drive (USB/SD) or use a cloud service.
13. Move large personal files (videos, music, photos, downloads, documents) from the C: drive to the external or cloud location.
14. Change where new files are saved
15. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings.
16. Select Where new content is saved.
17. Change locations so new documents, music, pictures, and videos are saved to another drive if available.
18. Use OneDrive Files On-Demand If using OneDrive, turn on Files On-Demand so only placeholders are stored locally and full files stay in the cloud, reducing local disk usage.
19. Scan for malware Run antivirus (for example, Windows Security) to ensure no malware is consuming disk space with hidden files.

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References:

• Fix low disk space errors quickly in Windows