If the storage on a Windows 11 PC is disappearing faster than expected or throwing up those low-space warnings, it can get pretty frustrating. The good news is that Windows has some built-in tools that make figuring out what’s eating up all that space not too complicated. Sometimes, your drive gets cluttered with junk files, apps you forgot you installed, or huge media files sitting around. Knowing what’s taking up space is the first step in cleaning things up without accidentally deleting something essential. This guide walks through the easiest ways to peek into your storage, see what’s hogging the space, and make smarter cleanup decisions. It’s all about getting your PC back to running smoothly without unnecessary hassle.
How to See What’s Taking Up Space On PC Windows 11
Open Settings and Head to Storage
Start by clicking on the Start menu or press Windows + I to open Settings. Then, click on System from the sidebar, and find Storage in the list. This path is usually Settings > System > Storage. On some setups, you might notice the Storage page loads with a quick overview, showing categories like Apps & Features, Temporary Files, or other large items. It’s kind of weird, but this is where Windows keeps track of how your drive’s used — so it’s the best place to start.
View Breakdown of What’s Using Your Storage
Right after opening Storage, you’ll see a graphical breakdown or a list of categories. Clicking on each category — such as Apps & Features or Temporary Files — gives you details about what specific files or programs take up space. This step helps identify anything odd, leftover install files, or media that’s just sitting idle. Sometimes, empty folders or cache files keep piling up because Windows doesn’t clean them automatically, so digging here can save a lot of headaches later.
Manage and Clean Up Stuff
Once you see what’s hogging the drive, it’s easier to decide what to delete or move. For example, in Storage Settings, you can hit Temporary Files and delete everything you don’t really need — like accumulated system cache or leftover installer files. Or, under Apps & Features, uninstall programs you no longer use. If you want things to be more hands-off, turn on Storage Sense (found in the same menu) which automates cleaning up unnecessary files periodically. On some machines, Storage Sense doesn’t always kick in right away, so sometimes a manual cleanup is unavoidable. Just keep in mind, deleting system files isn’t recommended unless you’re following a guide from trusted sources because Windows keeps some files protected for stability.
Pro tip: for really stubborn files or large media, consider moving them to external drives or cloud storage like OneDrive. This frees up local space quickly and avoids cluttering your main drive.