How to Find What is Taking Up Storage Space on Windows 11 Computer

If you're running out of storage space on your Windows 11 computer, it's essential to identify what is consuming your disk space. Here are the steps to find out what's taking up storage space and how to manage it effectively:

Using Storage Settings

Open Settings:
- Click on the Start menu and select Settings.
- Alternatively, press Windows + I to open the Settings directly.
Navigate to Storage:
- In the Settings window, go to System and then click on Storage.
View Storage Usage:
- Under the Storage section, you will see a breakdown of your storage usage. This includes categories like Apps & features, Temporary files, Documents, Pictures, Music, and more.
- Click on each category to get more detailed information about what files and folders are taking up space.

Using Disk Cleanup

NOTE: Use Disk Cleanup carefully. Disk Cleanup will display a description to explain the different file types, when you click on them. College managed computers may not be able to access Disk Cleanup through Make Me Admin. Contact ITS for further assistance.

Open Disk Cleanup:
- Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup. Select the Disk Cleanup app from the search results.
Select Drive:
- Choose the drive you want to clean up (usually the C: drive) and click OK.
Analyze Files:
- Disk Cleanup will calculate how much space you can free up by deleting temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary items.
- Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete and click OK

Managing Storage Sense

Enable Storage Sense:
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Under Storage Sense, toggle the switch to On.
Configure Storage Sense:
- Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize how Storage Sense works.
- You can set it to automatically delete temporary files, empty the recycle bin, and remove files in the Downloads folder that haven't been used in a while.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and free up storage space on your Windows 11 computer.