---
title: "What to do if your computer is running out of storage?"  
description: "What to do if your computer is running out of storage?"  
author: "Amartya Singh"  
published: 2024-01-01  
updated: 2024-01-02  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/108665/what-to-do-if-your-computer-is-running-out-of-storage  
category: "troubleshooting"  
tags: ["troubleshooting"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# What to do if your computer is running out of storage?



## Answers

### Answer by Saumya Mishra

## Declutter:

- **Empty the** [**trash**](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/2844/island-of-garbage)**:** It's the low-hanging fruit, but every megabyte counts.
- **Tame the downloads folder:** Delete forgotten downloads and organize the rest.
- **Hunt for one-time files:** Old installers, project remnants, anything you won't use again.
- **Clean your [cloud](https://www.mindstick.com/services/cloud-development):** Duplicate files in synced folders eat up space. Trim them down.

## Analyze and Delete:

- **Disk Cleanup:** Built-in tools like Windows [Disk](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/126214/mount-cloud-drive-as-local-disk-on-windows) Cleanup identify [temporary](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/2292/how-to-set-temporary-path-of-jdk-in-windows) files and bloated system data. Use them!
- **Storage analyzers:** Tools like WinDirStat show what's hogging space, helping you target big offenders like media files.
- **Uninstall unused programs:** Free up space and boost performance by ditching programs you don't use.

## Store Smarter:

- **Move non-essentials:** Archive media and infrequently used files to an external drive, [cloud storage](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/198801/what-you-need-to-know-about-cloud-storage), or even DVDs.
- **[Optimize](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/43978/3-tips-to-optimize-any-website-and-get-to-the-top-of-google) cloud storage:** Use features like "Files On-Demand" to store files online but access them offline only when needed.
- **Consider an upgrade:** If your needs have outgrown your storage, it might be time for a larger [internal](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/956/describe-the-accessibility-modifier-protected-internal) drive or even a whole new computer.

Remember, [prevention](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/167600/how-to-test-for-legionella-and-implement-prevention-plans) is key! Develop good habits like avoiding unnecessary downloads and regularly reviewing your storage usage. With a proactive [approach](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/985/what-are-the-approaches-that-you-will-follow-for-making-a-program-very-efficient), you can keep your computer [breathing](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/299751/what-causes-breathing-problems) freely and avoid storage-related meltdowns.


---

Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/108665/what-to-do-if-your-computer-is-running-out-of-storage

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