Common ways to make up space in computers

1. Uninstall unnecessary apps and programs

  • Just because you’re not actively using an outdated app doesn’t mean it’s still not hanging around. Get in control and learn how to free up storage space in your laptop by deleting unused applications that take up space.

    • To do this successfully:

  • Click the “Start” button from your desktop.
  • Select “Apps.”
  • Then select “Apps and Features.”
  • Sort by size to see which programs are eating up the most space.
  • Get rid of any you don’t use by selecting the program and clicking “Uninstall.”

    • 2. Clean your desktop

    Many of us store everything on our desktop by default, but there’s a better way. Having lots of desktop clutter can slow your computer because these files take up operating memory to display all the time.

    Consider deleting any files that you don’t need and move the rest to the Documents, Video, and Photos folders. This is how to increase the disk space on your hard drive by deleting files and keeping important data without slowing your computer down.

    3. Get rid of large files

    Most computers are very efficient with how they store data, but some file types can suck up storage that you can’t spare.

    To see which files are the largest:

  • Open Windows Explorer (File Explorer).
  • Select “This PC.”
  • Type “size” into the search box in the upper-right-hand corner.
  • You’ll be able to select between several categories of file sizes, ranging from “Empty” to “Gigantic.”
  • Start with the largest files, checking to see if they are anything you need.
  • If not, move them to your trash can and free your PC from the burden.
  • Do this with all of the larger file sizes until you get your hard-drive space to a reasonable level.

    • 4. Discard temporary files

    One of the most basic recommendations on how to clear storage space is to clear cache and cookies. Every time you visit a website, there is a trail of files left behind, such as cookies, images, and text files that make your next visit to the same site faster. If privacy is an issue or you need more space on your hard drive, there’s no need to keep these files around.

    Each browser type has a different way to clear these files, so check your browser documentation for the best results. You can also use the Windows tool to tackle temporary files.

    Consider this as an opportunity to delete cookies, discard temporary files, and clear your cache, which will have an immediate positive effect on your browsing.