6 Ways to Free Up Space on Windows 11 Without Deleting Apps

Quick Tips

• Storage sense can automatically delete files from temporary and designated folders.
• Temporary files also include the Downloads folder. Check to ensure no critical files are there.
• Large inboxes with attachments can also occupy a lot of space.

Method 1. Remove Temporary Files

You can use the default Storage menu to find and remove temporary files on your PC. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings and navigate to System > Storage.

Step 2: Click on Temporary files to open the section where you can check the box for Recycle Bin, Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization Files, Windows upgrade log files, and other suggestions.

Note: Be careful before enabling the checkmark for Downloads. It will delete all your files from the Downloads folder.

Step 4: Click on Remove files at the top.

Method 2. Check and Remove Other Files

Step 1: Head to the Storage menu in Windows 11 Settings and click on Other.

Step 2: It will list large folders and their storage size next to them. Click on it to open them in the File Explorer app, and you’ll find large folders.

Step 3: Right-click on them and press the Delete icon from the context menu. After removing large files, head to the Recycle Bin to empty it.

Method 3. Manage Your Mail Storage

Step 1: Go to the Storage menu in Windows Settings (check the steps above) and click on Mail.

Step 2: Click Manage mail from the following menu and remove unnecessary emails from the default Mail app.

Method 4. Find Large, Unused, and Synced Files

Step 1: Go to the Storage menu in Windows Settings.

Step 2: Select Cleanup recommendations and expand Large and unused files.

Step 3: Select the files you want to remove and click on Clean up.

Step 4: Expand Files synced to the cloud, select files, and click on Clean up.

Method 5. Free Up Space Using OneDrive

Thanks to OneDrive files on-demand, you can upload large files to the cloud storage service and make them available offline only when required.

Step 1: Open the File Explorer app (Windows + E keys).

Step 2: Move large files from your local drive to OneDrive.

Step 3: Right-click on such files or folders and select Free up space from the context menu.

File Explorer will remove those files and save them to OneDrive only.

Method 6. Enable Storage Sense

Enabling storage sense automatically frees up space, deletes temporary files, and manages locally available cloud content.

Step 1: Open the Storage menu in Windows Settings 

Step 2: Toggle on Storage Sense.