Upgrading to Windows 11 is an exciting step as it brings a fresh and modern user interface along with several new features. However, one common concern users face after the upgrade is the amount of storage space that Windows 11 consumes. If you’ve found yourself wondering how to reclaim space after upgrading to Windows 11, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll explore various strategies and tools to help you free up valuable disk space.
Use the Disk Cleanup Tool
One of the first steps in reclaiming space is to use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Here’s how you can do it:
- Press the Windows key, type “Disk Cleanup,” and select the app.
- Choose the drive you want to clean (usually, this is your C: drive, where Windows is installed).
- Disk Cleanup will calculate the amount of space you can free up. Once the calculation is complete, you’ll see a list of file categories that you can clean.
- Select the categories you want to clean and click “OK.”
Delete Windows.old Folder
When you upgrade to Windows 11, a Windows.old folder is created. This folder contains your old Windows files, which can take up a significant amount of space. Here’s how to delete it:
- Press the Windows key, type “Storage settings,” and select the app.
- Click on “Temporary files.”
- Look for the “Previous Windows installation(s)” option and select it.
- Click “Remove files.”
Uninstall Unnecessary Apps
Another effective way to free up space is to uninstall apps and programs you no longer use. To do this:
- Press the Windows key, go to “Settings,” and choose “Apps.”
- Under “Apps & features,” you’ll see a list of installed apps. Click on the ones you want to remove and select “Uninstall.”
Move Personal Files to an External Drive
Consider moving personal files such as documents, pictures, and videos to an external drive or cloud storage. This not only frees up space on your system drive but also keeps your files safe and accessible.
Disable Hibernation
Hibernation allows your computer to save its current state to the hard drive and shut down while preserving your open files and applications. However, this feature consumes disk space. If you don’t use hibernation, you can disable it to free up space:
- Press the Windows key, type “Command Prompt,” right-click on it, and select “Run as administrator.”
- Type “powercfg /h off” and press Enter.
Clear System Restore Points
System Restore points can take up a considerable amount of space over time. To clear them:
- Press the Windows key, type “Create a restore point,” and select the app.
- In the System Properties window, under the “System Restore” tab, select your system drive and click “Configure.”
- Click “Delete” to remove all the restore points.
Conclusion
Reclaiming space after upgrading to Windows 11 is a crucial step in maintaining your system’s performance and ensuring you have enough space for your files and applications. By using the tools and methods mentioned in this blog post, you can efficiently free up storage space and enjoy a smoother Windows 11 experience. Remember to regularly perform these steps to keep your system running optimally.