Running out of space is annoying. Your laptop slows down. Apps update slowly. Backups fail. But you do not need to buy a new drive right away.
This guide gives ten easy ways to free up space on both Windows and Mac. Each tip is simple and practical. Most take only a few minutes. Which one will you try first?
1. Empty the Trash and Downloads folder
This is the fastest win.
- On Windows, right click Recycle Bin and choose Empty Recycle Bin.
- On Mac, open the Trash and click Empty.
- Clean your Downloads folder. It fills up fast with installers and media files.
Why this works: many people forget files linger in Trash or Downloads. Clearing them can free several gigabytes quickly.
2. Run the built-in storage cleaner
Both systems have easy tools that find large files and apps.
- Windows: open Settings, go to System > Storage. Use Storage Sense or click Temporary files to remove unneeded items.
- Mac: click the Apple menu, About This Mac, then Storage, then Manage. Use Reduce Clutter and Optimize Storage options.
Tip: use the "Review Files" or "Large Files" view to delete items you no longer need. These tools show what takes the most space.
3. Remove apps you do not use
Apps and games can be huge.
- On Windows, go to Settings > Apps and uninstall apps you never open.
- On Mac, drag apps from the Applications folder to the Trash, then empty Trash. Use the Launchpad for easy cleanup.
Ask yourself: when did I last use this app? If you cannot remember, remove it. You can always reinstall later.
4. Move big files to cloud or external drives
Photos, videos, and raw work files eat space fast.
- Move old videos and photos to a cloud service or an external SSD.
- For Mac, use Optimize Mac Storage so full-resolution photos stay in the cloud and lighter previews remain on your laptop.
- For Windows, move files to OneDrive and use Files On-Demand to keep local copies only when needed.
Real-life example: A student moved last year’s lecture videos to an external drive and freed 60 GB. The laptop felt like new.
5. Clear browser caches and downloads
Web browsers store lots of files for speed.
- In Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, open Settings and clear cached images and files.
- Also clear the browser’s download history if you keep many downloaded files.
This step helps when web pages feel slow and disk space reads high.
6. Clean up old backups and disk images
Old system backups and virtual machine images are often forgotten.
- On Mac, look in Time Machine snapshots and old local backups. Remove old snapshots you do not need.
- On Windows, check for old system restore points and delete older ones while keeping the latest.
- Remove old virtual machine files or large disk images you no longer use.
Backups are good. Old, duplicate backups cost space. Keep what you need and archive the rest.
7. Remove duplicate and large files with a quick scan
Duplicate files sneak in from downloads and backups.
- Use the built-in storage tools to find large files.
- If you prefer third-party apps, choose a trusted duplicate finder and scan your user folders.
- Delete duplicates carefully. Always double check before removing photos or documents.
Duplicates can hide a lot of wasted space. A quick scan often finds surprising duplicates of videos or installers.
8. Tidy up developer files and caches
If you code or run local services, caches and node_modules can be huge.
- Remove old project folders you no longer use.
- Run package manager clean commands like npm cache clean or pip cache purge if you know what you are doing.
- Clear Docker images and stopped containers if you used containers for tests.
Warning: only remove developer caches if you understand what they are. Deleting the wrong folder can break projects.
9. Manage mail attachments and offline files
Email attachments and offline files can build up.
- For mail apps, delete large attachments you no longer need and clear cached mail.
- For cloud apps set to sync offline, remove local copies of rarely used files.
- Use the mail app’s storage view or the cloud desktop client to find big attachments.
Many business users free space by removing old attachments that are safely stored in the cloud.
10. Compress or archive old files
When you must keep files but rarely use them, compress them.
- Use ZIP or other archive formats to compress folders you store long term.
- Move archives to an external drive or cloud cold storage.
- On Mac, Control-click a file or folder and choose Compress. On Windows, right-click and choose Send to compressed folder.
Compression reduces space for archives while keeping the files accessible when needed.
A few extra smart habits
These small routines keep your laptop tidy over time.
- Set a monthly reminder to clean Downloads and empty Trash.
- Use cloud streaming for music and video to avoid large local libraries.
- Turn on storage optimization features on both systems.
- Use external drives for large media projects like video editing.
Ask yourself: how often do you check storage? Make it a habit.
Quick troubleshooting when space still feels low
If you follow all tips and space is still low:
- Check hidden folders or system volumes that may hold snapshots.
- Run the storage tool again and sort by size to find the largest items.
- Consider a larger internal SSD or a fast external drive if you regularly work with large media.
Upgrading hardware is a safe long-term fix if you handle many large files daily.
Final checklist before you stop
- Empty Trash and Downloads.
- Run Storage Sense or Manage Storage.
- Remove unused apps.
- Move large media to cloud or external drive.
- Clear browser cache and mail attachments.
- Remove old backups and developer caches.
- Archive rarely used files.
Quick. Simple. Effective.
Conclusion
Freeing up space does not have to be painful. Ten small fixes can recover gigabytes and make your laptop faster. Start with the quick wins like emptying Trash and cleaning Downloads. Then move on to storage tools and archiving.
Which tip will you try right now? Do the quick clean and see how much space you get back. A cleaner laptop means less frustration and more focus.