🖥️ PC slo-o-o-o-wing down? Click Start > Settings > System > Storage. You’ll see how much storage is being used. how much is still free and a breakdown of what’s taking up the space. Bet you don’t need anything under Temporary files.
Tech cleanup: Files and folders taking valuable storage from your PC
It happens. The longer we keep our devices, the more cluttered they become.
Open your phone’s app tray for a great example. How many are sitting there that you haven’t opened in months or years? This clutter isn’t just annoying — it can be dangerous, too. Tap or click to delete apps you’re not using.
On your PC, your Start menu is probably a mess, too. That’s easy to clean up, and you’ll thank yourself every time you click it. Tap or click for quick steps to banish the junk.
Then there are all those files you genuinely don’t need. Keep reading for your easy action plan to free up some space like a pro.
Step 1: Empty the Recycle Bin
When you delete a file, it’s not gone. It first goes to the Recycle Bin, waiting for you to take more permanent action. To get them out of purgatory, right-click on your Recycle Bin and click Empty Recycle Bin.
Here’s another option that shows you even more files: Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. You’ll see a list of temporary files, including the contents of the Recycle Bin. Check the Recycle Bin box (and anything else you want to get rid of), then select Remove files.
Deleting old photos, documents and spreadsheets is just the beginning. This 5-minute tech fix will help you speed up your PC.
Step 2: Clear temporary files
Temporary files are created to help apps or processes go off without a hitch — or to help with transferring data and other processes. Over time, they can take up a lot of space. To clear them, open your C: drive and select the Windows folder, then Temp (C:WindowsTemp). Press Ctrl + A to select everything, then hit Delete.
You can also navigate to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. Select what you want to delete and hit Remove files.
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