Over time, a Windows PC can become slower. This is often due to the disk becoming too full with unnecessary files and programs that automatically start when Windows boots up. Fortunately, Windows offers various built-in tools and settings to effectively address this problem.
In this article, we explain how to make your PC faster by freeing up space on your hard drive or SSD. Through regular maintenance and adjusting settings, your computer will continue to run smoothly.
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1. Check Storage Usage
Regularly check your storage via Windows Settings. Open Settings with the shortcut Win + I and go to System > Storage. Here you get an overview of which files and programs are taking up space. Remove apps you don’t use via Apps > Installed apps. This ensures faster operation of your system. -
2. Clean Up Windows
Use the built-in cleanup functions. Go to System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Windows provides recommendations here on which files you can safely delete, such as files from your downloads folder and recycle bin. You’ll also find an overview of large and unused files, allowing you to easily free up space. -
3. Enable Storage Sense
Activate Storage Sense to set up automatic cleanup actions. You can find this option via System > Storage. With this, you can determine how often Windows automatically cleans up temporary files, downloads, and the recycle bin. Do regularly check your downloads folder to keep important files. -
4. Move Apps to Another Drive
If you have limited space, you can move apps to another drive. This is especially useful for apps from the Microsoft Store. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and select the “Move” option via the menu for the relevant app.
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5. Optimize Browser Data
Browsers store temporary files, which over time can take up storage space. Regularly clear temporary internet files through the browser settings. This prevents accumulation of unnecessary files and helps the browser to work faster and more efficiently.