My laptop says it's running out of space. What can I safely delete?

The short answer: start with Settings > System > Storage, which shows what's using the space and offers safe clean-ups for temporary files. Then empty your Downloads folder and Recycle Bin, and use OneDrive's Free up space option so your files live in the cloud instead of on the laptop. Never delete anything from the Windows or Program Files folders.

1. Look at what's using the space

1. Open Settings (press the Windows key and I together).
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Wait a moment while Windows adds it all up. You'll see a breakdown such as Apps & features, Temporary files, Documents and Other.

Click any category to see more detail. This tells you where to focus, so you're not deleting things at random.

2. Clear temporary files and turn on Storage Sense

Still in System > Storage:

• Click Temporary files. Windows lists things like temporary internet files, thumbnails, delivery optimisation files and Windows Update clean-up. These are generally safe to remove. Tick what you want and click Remove files.
• Have a look at Cleanup recommendations, which suggests large or unused files, apps you don't use, and files already backed up to OneDrive.
• Turn on Storage Sense. It automatically clears temporary files and empties old items from the Recycle Bin, and you can set how often it runs.

Be careful with one thing on the temporary files list: Downloads. Ticking it deletes everything in your Downloads folder. Check that folder yourself first (see below).

The older Disk Cleanup tool is also still on most PCs if you search for it, and does a similar job.

3. Sort out Downloads and the Recycle Bin

The Downloads folder is where things quietly pile up: installers you ran once, PDFs you opened from emails, photos, the same spreadsheet downloaded six times. Open it in File Explorer, switch to Details view, sort by Size, and delete anything you don't need. If something matters, move it into OneDrive or SharePoint first.

Then empty the Recycle Bin. Right-click it on the desktop and choose Empty Recycle Bin. Just be sure there's nothing in there you want back.

4. Let OneDrive keep your files in the cloud

If your business uses OneDrive, this is often the biggest win. OneDrive's Files On-Demand means files can live in the cloud and only download when you open them.

1. Open File Explorer and go to your OneDrive folder.
2. Right-click a big folder (or the whole OneDrive folder).
3. Choose Free up space.

The files still appear in File Explorer with a little cloud icon, and they open as normal when you're online. They're just not taking up space on your laptop. Anything you need without the internet, right-click and choose Always keep on this device.

This only applies to files already in OneDrive. Files saved only on the laptop's desktop or in a local folder aren't protected, so it's worth moving them in. And while you're thinking about it, read does Microsoft back up Microsoft 365?, because "in the cloud" isn't quite the same as "backed up".

5. Find large old files and unused apps

• In File Explorer, search This PC and sort by size to find big video files, old backups or zip files you've forgotten about.
• In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort by size and uninstall anything you genuinely don't use. On a work laptop, you may need to ask IT to do this.

What NOT to delete

Some folders look big and pointless but are essential. Don't delete or move anything from:

• the Windows folder;
• Program Files or Program Files (x86);
• ProgramData or the hidden AppData folder in your user profile;
• large system files like pagefile.sys or hiberfil.sys.

Deleting these can stop programs working, or stop Windows starting at all. Also avoid "PC cleaner" programs from the internet. Many are useless, and some are malware.

When it's time for a bigger drive

If you've done all of the above and you're still short of space within a few weeks, the laptop may simply be too small for how you work. Laptops with smaller drives fill up quickly once Windows updates, Outlook and your other apps have taken their share. At that point, talk to your IT person about a bigger drive or a replacement, rather than spending an hour a month deleting things.

Common questions

Will "Free up space" in OneDrive delete my files?

No. It removes the copy stored on your laptop, but the file stays in OneDrive and downloads again when you open it. Don't confuse it with deleting a file, which removes it from OneDrive too. If you do delete something by mistake, see how to get deleted files back.

Is it safe to delete "Previous Windows installation(s)"?

Usually, yes, if your laptop is working fine after a big Windows update. Removing it means you can't roll back to the earlier version. Windows normally removes it automatically after a short time anyway.

Why does the "Other" or "System" category take up so much?

Windows needs space for itself, its updates and its recovery tools. Some of this can't be reduced, and that's normal. Focus on the categories you control: your files, downloads and apps.