Manage drive space with Storage Sense (2024)

If Storage Sense is turned on with the default settings, it will run when your device is low on disk space and will clean up unnecessary temporary files. Content from the Recycle Bin will bedeletedby default after some time, but items in your Downloads folder and OneDrive(or any other cloud provider)will not be touched unlessyou set upStorage Sense to do so.

Important:Storage Sense works on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to asC:. To free up space on other drives, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Storage usedon other drives.

1. Go toStart >Settings >System >Storage .

2. SetStorage Sense to On.

To tell Storage Sense how often to run and what to clean up, follow these instructions.

Note:Anysettingsyou choose will apply onlyforyou. Other usersonyour device can manage their own settings.

1. Go toStart >Settings >System >Storage .

2. SelectStorage Sense.

3. Choose your desired settings, including when to run Storage Sense, how often files are cleaned up, and more.

Choose when to runStorageSense

1. Make sure Storage Sense is turned on.

2. UnderRun Storage Sense, selecthowfrequentlyyou wantStorage Sense to runwhenyou’reonline and signed in.

Note:Low free disk space will vary depending on disk size and minimum operational thresholds. You're in a low disk state when the capacity bar in Start >Settings >System >Storage turns red.

Choose your preferences for deleting temporary files

UnderDelete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: and Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven't been opened for more than:,choose when files from yourRecycleBin or Downloads folder aredeleted.

Manage locally available cloud content

Note:You'll only see cloud content settings whenyou’resignedin toyour cloud account.

Cloud files can exist locally on the disk or be available online only.To choosethe conditionsfor when inactive files are made online only, underContent will become online-only if notopenedfor more than:choose your preferred amount of time.Note that starting in Windows 11, version 22H2, the default for OneDrive cloud files is to make files online-only if not opened for more than 30 days.

Important:This setting will not permanentlydeleteany files.Files can bemadelocally available again if there is free disk space and network connectivity. Any file marked as Always keep on this deviceis exempted and will not be managed by Storage Sense.

For more info about locally available content, see What do the OneDrive icons mean?

Is Storage Sense on by default?

Storage Sense is off by default. If your PC runs into low disk space and you have not interacted with Storage Sense in the past, we may turn on Storage Sense to manage selecttemporary files, then notify you. If you prefer, you can choose to turn Storage Sense off right away or after the low disk state is resolved.

If you turn on Storage Sense, the default settings will run when your device is low on disk space. Note that the Downloads folder and cloud content will not be managed unless you specify.

How do I deleteWindows.oldor Previous Windows Installation(s)?

1. Go toStart >Settings >System >Storage .

2. Under disk usage,selectTemporaryfiles , then ensure PreviousWindows Installation(s)is checked and select Remove files.

Can Storage Sense runifI’m not signed in?

No. Storage Sense cannot run unlessyou’re signedand online for more than 10 minutes.

Why am I receiving notifications to turn on Storage Sense or a notification for low storage?

You’llsee these notifications when your drive is running out of free space.Thiscan affect the performance of your device and make it difficult to receive system upgrades.

If Storage Sense is turned on with the default settings, it will run when your device is low on disk space and will clean up unnecessary temporary files. Content from the Recycle Bin will bedeletedby default after some time, but items in your Downloads folder and OneDrive(or any other cloud provider)will not be touched unlessyou set upStorage Sense to do so.

Important:Storage Sense works on your system drive only, which contains the Windows operating system and is usually referred to asC:. To free up space on other drives, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage , and then underMore storage settings, selectView storage usage on other drives.

1. Go toStart > Settings > System > Storage .

2. UnderStorage Sense can automatically free updrivespace for you by getting rid of items that youdon'tneed, like temporary files and content inyourrecycle bin,turn On Storage Sense.

To tell Storage Sense how often to run and what to clean up, follow these instructions.

Note:Anysettingsyou choose will apply onlyforyou. Other usersonyour device can manage their own settings.

1. Go toStart > Settings > System > Storage .

   See Also

   Understanding Storage Capacity | Akins IT

2. SelectConfigure Storage Sense or run itnow.

3. Choose your desired settings, including when to run Storage Sense, how often files are cleaned up, and more.

Choose when to runStorageSense

1. Make sure Storage Sense is turned On.

2. UnderRun Storage Sense, selecthowfrequentlyyou wantStorage Sense to runwhenyou’reonline and signed in.

Note:Low free disk space will vary depending on disk size and minimum operational thresholds. You're in a low disk state when the capacity bar in Start > Settings > System > Storage turns red.

Choose your preferences for deleting temporary files

UnderTemporary files ,choose when files from yourRecycleBin or Downloads folder aredeleted.

• Items in the Recycle Bin will be deleted based on how long they have been in the Recycle Bin.

• Items in your Downloads folder will be deleted based on how long they have been unopened. The default is to never delete these files unless you specify.

• KeepDelete temporary files that my apps aren't usingselected to clean up unneeded files associated with apps on your PC.
  

Manage locally available cloud content

Note:You'll only see cloud content settings whenyou’resignedin toyour cloud account.

Cloud files can exist locally on the disk or be available online only.To choosethe conditionsfor when inactive files are made online only, underContent will become online-only if notopenedfor more than:choose your preferred amount of time.Note that the default for OneDrive cloud files is to make files online-only if not opened for more than 30 days.

Important:This setting will not permanentlydeleteany files.Files can bemadelocally available again if there is free disk space and network connectivity. Any file marked as Always keep on this deviceis exempted and will not be managed by Storage Sense.

For more info about locally available content, see What do the OneDrive icons mean?

Is Storage Sense on by default?

Storage Sense is off by default. If your PC runs into low disk space and you have not interacted with Storage Sense in the past, we may turn on Storage Sense to manage selecttemporary files, then notify you. If you prefer, you can choose to turn Storage Sense off right away or after the low disk state is resolved.

If you turn on Storage Sense, the default settings will run when your device is low on disk space. Note that the Downloads folder and cloud content will not be managed unless you specify.

How do I deleteWindows.oldor Previous Windows Installation(s)?

1. Go toStart > Settings > System > Storage .

2. Under disk usage,selectTemporaryfiles , then ensure PreviousWindows Installation(s)is checked, and select Remove files.

Note:If you do not see an entry for Previous Windows Installation(s), you do not have a previous installation of Windows to uninstall. Previous installations of Windows are automatically uninstalled on their own after ten days.

Can Storage Sense runifI’m not signed in?

No. Storage Sense cannot run unlessyou’re signedand online for more than 10 minutes.

Why am I receiving notifications to turn on Storage Sense or a notification for low storage?

You’llsee these notifications when your drive is running out of free space.Thiscan affect the performance of your device and make it difficult to receive system upgrades.