7 Proven Methods to Free Up Space on Your C Drive

The C drive is where everything is stored by default on Windows computers. It's the heart of your system, and when it shows as full for no reason, it can cause a laggy, slow, and buggy experience. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll explore seven effective ways to empty your C drive and improve your Windows speed and performance.

Why Does Your C Drive Show as Full?

There could be several reasons why your C drive is full, some of which are beyond your control. It could be due to too many apps or an abundance of data stored in the C drive. There might even be hidden viruses or bugs taking up space without your knowledge. Let's dive deep into each possible angle to figure out why your C drive is full.

The Significance of Your C Drive

The C drive is the default drive on Windows computers. It houses the Windows operating system and all the system apps. While it can be a hassle to transfer apps from the C drive to other drives, it's essential to free up space on your C drive for optimal performance.

Consequences of a Full C Drive

When your C drive is full, it can lead to various issues. Your system may become corrupted, resulting in the failure of the operating system itself. Additionally, slower read/write speeds can cause lags and weak performance. Moreover, the C drive contains vital information such as boot sectors, which are crucial during startup. With your C drive full, software and apps installed in the drive can't update, and you won't be able to install new apps due to limited storage space.

Before We Start

Assuming you've already tried basic methods like uninstalling unnecessary apps, moving files to other drives, deleting temporary files, emptying the Recycle Bin, and running the Disk Cleanup tool, this guide is for those who need to identify the unaccounted-for data or files taking up space on their C drive.

Emptying Your C Drive When It Shows as Full

1. Perform a Thorough Virus Scan

First, perform a full scan using your antivirus app. Additionally, download and install Malwarebytes for an extra layer of protection. Finally, run the Microsoft Security Scanner to find and remove any malware from your computer.

2. Show Hidden Files and Folders

Sometimes, large hidden files or folders can be the reason behind your full C drive. To reveal hidden files and folders, open the Control Panel, go to Appearance and Personalization, click on File Explorer Options, select the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option under the View tab, and save the changes. Now, go through the folder structure to identify any files or folders that shouldn't be there.

3. Check for Disk Errors

It's possible that your hard disk is suffering from technical or logical errors. To check for errors, open the Command Prompt with admin rights and run the command “chkdsk c: /f /r /x”. This will scan the disk for anomalies and fix any errors it finds.

4. Delete Backups and System Restore Points

Windows automatically creates system restore points whenever there's a major change in the C drive. These backup files take up a significant amount of space but don't show up in File Explorer. To manage system restore points, go to System Properties, click on the Configure button, and adjust the Max Usage to allocate the desired amount of space.

5. Find and Remove Large and Junk Files

Use the search bar in File Explorer to search for files larger than 128MB by typing “size:gigantic”. Windows will display the results, allowing you to sort them based on size. You can also use third-party apps like WinDirStat or WizTree for a more in-depth analysis of large files and their locations.

6. Delete Hibernation File

If your computer goes into hibernation, it creates a hibernation file to save system state. This file can be quite large and take up valuable space on your C drive. To disable hibernation and delete the hibernation file, open the Command Prompt with admin rights and run the command “powercfg.exe -hibernate off”.

7. Delete Page File

The pagefile.sys file acts as a secondary RAM management system for your computer. While it helps run more apps than your physical RAM can handle, it can also consume a significant amount of space. To disable the page file, go to Settings > About > Advanced system settings > Advanced tab > Performance Settings. Under the Advanced tab, click on Change and select the No paging file option for your C drive.

Wrapping Up

By following these proven methods, you can effectively free up space on your C drive and improve your Windows speed and performance. Additionally, consider upgrading your storage by installing a new HDD or SSD, or offloading data to the cloud. With a clean and optimized C drive, you'll experience a smoother and more efficient computing experience.