How To Save Storage On Your PC or Mac
Over time, as you utilize your computer, various programs and files can accumulate on your hard drive, leading to a decrease in the performance of your PC or Mac. Insufficient disk space may result in system slowdowns, application failures, and extended loading times. Therefore, by clearing up space, you can enhance system performance, facilitate smoother updates, and prevent your computer from freezing when the RAM is offloaded to the disk.
This guide will provide you with a range of effective strategies to recover essential storage space on your computer, applicable to both Windows PCs and macOS devices.
What Makes My PC Storage Full
Personal files such as videos, music, photographs, and documents typically occupy the majority of storage space. Additionally, substantial applications and system files contribute to this usage, along with temporary files and unnecessary data generated by various programs. Below are steps to evaluate what is utilizing your storage capacity:
- On Windows, use File Explorer to see which folders are taking up the most space.
- On Mac, check your storage usage by clicking the Apple logo, selecting About This Mac, and navigating to the Storage tab.
NOTE:Monitor the files that occupy the most storage space to effectively identify and prioritize those suitable for deletion.
How To Save Storage Space:Ways For PC and Mac
A swift method to conserve storage on your PC or Mac involves compressing image files and PDFs. High-resolution images and sizable PDF documents can occupy a considerable amount of disk space.
Use Cloud Storage Options
Utilizing cloud services for the storage of large files can significantly alleviate the burden on local disk space. Notable cloud storage solutions include Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.
Delete Temporary Files
Disk Cleanup does not eliminate temporary files generated by Chrome or other web browsers; therefore, it is necessary to delete them directly through the browser. Users of both Mac and PC can locate the option to clear the cache within their browser settings—typically, there is a “Clear Cache” button situated close to the option for deleting cookies.
Over time, caches may expand to several gigabytes, making it essential to consider methods for reclaiming disk space. One straightforward and efficient approach is to clear the data that your browser automatically retains.
- Open your browser settings.
- Find the option to clear browsing data or cache.
How To Free Up Storage Space On Windows
Empty The Recycle Bin
In the Windows operating system, when you right-click on a file and choose the “Delete” option, the file is not permanently removed; rather, it is relocated to the Recycle Bin. If you have not configured an automatic cleanup process or do not routinely empty the Recycle Bin, its contents can build up over time, potentially consuming a significant amount of disk space. Fortunately, the process of clearing the Recycle Bin is straightforward and can be accomplished in just a few clicks, allowing you to recover valuable disk space efficiently.
NOTE:Before emptying the Recycle Bin, take a moment to review its contents.
If you’ve accidentally deleted an important file, you can easily restore it
by right-clicking the file and selecting “Restore,” which will return it to
its original location.
- Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
- Select “Empty Recycle Bin.”
Review your deleted files before doing this, as you can still restore them if needed.
Use Disk Cleanup
Windows includes an integrated utility designed to eliminate superfluous files, such as temporary system files, items in the Recycle Bin, and obsolete Windows files.
1.Type “Disk Cleanup” in the taskbar search bar and select it.
2.Choose the drive you want to clean.
3.Review the list of files to delete (avoid deleting system files unless absolutely necessary).
4.For more options, click “Clean up system files.”
Delete Duplicate Files
Redundant files consume valuable storage space unnecessarily. The process of manually locating these duplicates can be laborious; therefore, utilizing specialized software for their detection and removal is more efficient. Numerous cleanup applications, such as Avast, provide this functionality.
Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
Programs that are not utilized or deemed unnecessary, including bloatware, can occupy significant storage on your computer. Removing these applications can help to free up space on your hard drive. Below are the steps to uninstall unwanted software on a Windows PC and recover disk space.
- Type “Add or remove programs” into the taskbar and select it from the search results.
- Browse through the list of installed programs. If you don’t recognize a program, look it up before deleting it. Anything with “Microsoft” or “Windows” in the name is generally important and shouldn’t be removed. Disk Cleanup may also help clear unimportant files.
- Select the program you want to remove and click “Uninstall.”
Limit System Restore Usage
System Restore provides Windows with the capability to retrieve critical files that might have been lost during an update. Generally, it is advisable to keep this feature enabled unless disk space is critically low. This function allocates a segment of your hard drive for recovery needs. Below are the steps to manage the space designated for System Restore:
1.Type “System protection” or “Create a restore point” into the Taskbar search and select the option from the results.
2.With your main Windows drive selected, click on Configure.
3.Adjust the Max Usage slider to allocate the amount of space System Restore can use. The default setting is usually ideal, but you can reduce it if you’re in need of space and no other options have worked.
It is important to consider that decreasing the allocated space for System Restore will result in a reduced number of restore points, which may pose a risk in the event of a system malfunction. One should thoughtfully evaluate the balance between having a reliable backup system and the benefit of additional disk space prior to implementing any modifications.
How To Save Storage Space on Mac
Essentially, the methods are remain the same; it is the steps that vary.
Empty The Bin
Like on Windows, files in your Trash still occupy space. To permanently delete them, right-click the Bin icon on your desktop and select “Empty.”
Make sure to empty the trash cans in apps like iPhoto and Mail as well, since they store deleted files separately.
Use Optimise Storage
Mac’s Optimize Storage feature helps manage large files like movies and TV shows.
1.Click the Apple logo in the top left and select “About This Mac.”
2.Click on “Storage” and then “Manage.”
3.Use the Optimize Storage feature to clear files that have already been watched.
Remove Duplicate Files
Manually searching for duplicate files can be a daunting task. Instead, consider using third-party tools that automatically detect and remove duplicates.
Uninstall Unused Programs
To uninstall applications:
- Open Finder, click on “Applications.”
- Drag unused apps to the Trash, then empty the Trash.
Some apps might leave behind residual files, so using an uninstaller app is recommended.
Remove Old Backups
If you use your computer to back up devices like an iPhone or iPad, old backups can take up space. Deleting these through iTunes or Finder can help free up several gigabytes.
Save Files To iCloud or External Drives
After removing unnecessary clutter, temporary files, and duplicate items from your Mac, you can further optimize your disk space by transferring files you wish to retain to iCloud, Google Drive, or an alternative cloud storage solution. This approach allows you to securely store and access your essential documents, photos, and videos without overloading your hard drive.
- For iCloud, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud, and enable file storage.
- For external drives, drag files from your Mac’s storage to the external device.
For even more convenience, macOS provides tools that automatically manage and clear space on your disk:
- Empty Trash Automatically: This setting permanently removes items in the Trash after 30 days.
- Reduce Clutter: This feature helps you find large or unnecessary files, making it easy to move them to other storage options like the cloud or an external drive.
Take advantage of these features, and you’ll be able to streamline your Mac’s storage management and maintain a clutter-free system.