How to Free Up Storage Space on Windows 11 (Safe, No System Damage)

If you've been using a Windows 11 PC for a while, you've probably noticed the annoying "Low Disk Space" warning popping up, with your C: drive turning red. Most online guides will tell you to delete system files, edit the registry, or use risky third-party tools—moves that can easily break your computer, especially if you're not tech-savvy.

At Clear Device Tips, we believe in simple, safe, and reliable solutions—no gimmicks, no risky hacks, and no misleading advice. This guide will show you exactly how to free up storage space on your Windows 11 PC without deleting system files, without damaging your computer, and without any third-party software. Even if you're a complete beginner, you can follow these steps with confidence.

Note: All methods use built-in Windows 11 features, so you don't need to download anything. This keeps your PC safe from malware and unnecessary bloatware.

Step 1: Delete Temporary Files (100% Safe)

Every time you use your PC, Windows creates temporary files to help programs run smoothly. Over time, these files pile up and take up valuable space—and they're completely safe to delete.

Here's how to do it:

1. Press theWin + R keys at the same time (Win is the Windows logo key on your keyboard).
2. A small "Run" window will pop up. Type %temp% (including the percent signs) and press Enter.
3. A folder called "Temp" will open—this is where all your temporary files are stored.
4. Press Ctrl + A to select all files in the folder.
5. Press the Delete key on your keyboard. If some files say "in use" and won't delete, just skip them (they're currently being used by a program, and you can delete them later).

This one step alone can free up hundreds of MB (or even GB) of space, and it's 100% risk-free.

Step 2: Clear System Update Cache

Windows regularly downloads updates to keep your PC secure, but it often leaves behind cached update files that you no longer need. These files can take up several GB of space—let's delete them safely.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon).
2. In Settings, click System (it's usually the first option).
3. On the left sidebar, click Storage.
4. Under "Local Disk (C:)", click Temporary files.
5. Windows will scan your PC for temporary files. Once the scan is done,only check these three boxes (to avoid deleting important files):
6. Temporary files
7. Windows Update Cleanup
8. Recycle Bin
9. Click Remove files at the top of the window.

Pro tip: Don't check any other boxes here (like "Downloads" or "Thumbnails") unless you're sure you don't need those files—we want to keep this 100% safe.

Step 3: Disable Hibernation (Safe Optional Step)

Hibernation is a feature that saves your current work to your hard drive and shuts down your PC—great for laptops, but it creates a large "hiberfil.sys" file that can take up 4-10 GB of space. If your C: drive is really full, you can disable hibernation to free up this space (it's completely reversible).

Here's how (you'll need admin access):

1. Click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and right-click it. Select Run as administrator.
2. A black window will open. Type this command exactly (copy-paste if you want): powercfg /hibernate off
3. Press Enter. You'll see a message confirming hibernation is disabled (or no message at all—that’s normal too).

To re-enable hibernation later (if you want), just open Command Prompt as admin again and type: powercfg /hibernate on

Step 4: Uninstall Unused Apps

Most of us have apps installed that we never use—games we played once, trial software, or tools we downloaded but forgot about. These apps can take up huge amounts of space, and uninstalling them is one of the easiest ways to free up storage.

Here's how to find and uninstall them:

1. Open Settings →Apps → Installed apps.
2. At the top of the page, click the Sort by dropdown and selectSize (largest to smallest).
3. Scroll through the list and look for apps you haven't used in 6 months or more.
4. Click the three dots next to the app and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove the app.

Warning: Don't uninstall apps you don't recognize unless you're sure they're not important. Apps like "Microsoft Edge" or "Windows Security" are part of Windows—leave them alone.

Final Thoughts

Freeing up space on your Windows 11 PC doesn't have to be complicated or risky. You don't need expensive optimization tools, and you don't have to delete system files to see results.

By following these four simple steps—deleting temporary files, clearing update cache, disabling hibernation (optional), and uninstalling unused apps—you can free up several GB of space and make your PC run faster, all without damaging your system.

Remember: The goal here is to keep your PC safe while solving your storage problem. If you're ever unsure about a step, just skip it—better to take it slow than to accidentally break something.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below—I'm happy to help!