How do I free up space on Windows 10 when c drive is full?

Delete the Windows.old file and this is the best way to free space on windows 11.

Using Compact OS is indeed a good option to free up space on Windows 10, especially on small SSDs. It compresses the Windows system files to save space.

Pros:
Can save a few gigabytes of space.
Safe to use as it compresses system files without affecting your personal data.

Steps of free up Space Windows 10:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

compact /CompactOS:always

Wait for the process to complete.

3. To revert and disable Compact OS:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type:

compact /CompactOS:never

Press Enter and wait for it to finish.

When the C drive is full. Clearing the WinSxS folder can help free up some disk space on Windows 10, but it should be done carefully to avoid removing essential system files. The WinSxS folder stores Windows component files, updates, and backup files.

Here are safe methods to free up Space Windows 10 in the WinSxS folder:

1. Use Disk Cleanup Tool

The easiest and safest way:
    Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
    Select your system drive (usually C:).
    Click on Clean up system files.
    Wait for the scan to complete.
    Check Windows Update Cleanup and other options you want to remove.
    Click OK to delete unnecessary files.

2. Use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool
Advanced users can run DISM commands:
    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    Run the following command to clean up:

dism /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

To remove older versions of updates that are no longer needed:

dism /online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore

Followed by:

dism /online /Cleanup-Image /SPSuperseded

3. Automate Regular Maintenance
Windows 10 can automatically clean up using Storage Sense:
    Go to Settings > System > Storage.
    Turn on Storage Sense and configure it to delete temporary files automatically for free up space Windows 10.

Moving data to external storage is an effective way to free up space on Windows 10 computer without losing important files. Here's what you need to know and how to free up space on your Windows 10 computer:

Types of External Storage Options

 - External Hard Drives (HDD)
 - External Solid-State Drives (SSD)
 - USB Flash Drives
 - Network Attached Storage (NAS)

How to Move Data to External Storage

1. Connect External Storage
  Plug in your external drive via USB or other ports.
  Ensure it's recognized by Windows (check in File Explorer).

2. Transfer Files
  Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
  Navigate to the folders you want to move (e.g., Documents, Downloads, Photos).
  Select the files or folders.
  Right-click and choose Copy (or drag and drop).
  Navigate to your external drive in File Explorer.
  Right-click and select Paste.

3. Change Default Save Locations (Optional)
To automatically save data to external storage:
  Open Settings (Windows + I).
  Go to System > Storage.
  Click Change where new content is saved.
  Select your external drive as the default location for documents, downloads, pictures, etc.

4. Move Installed Applications (Advanced)
Moving installed programs to external drives is more complex and not recommended for most users, as it can cause system issues. Instead, consider:
  Installing new programs on the external drive during setup.
  Using built-in options to move apps if available (Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Move).

Clearing the browser cache can help free up space on Windows 10 computer, especially if you use your browser frequently and haven't cleared it in a while. Here's how it works and what you should do:

Why Clear Browser Cache?

Free Up Disk Space: Cached files can accumulate over time and take up significant space.
Improve Browser Performance: Clearing cache can resolve loading issues and speed up browsing.
Privacy and Security: Removes stored data that might contain personal information.

How to Clear Browser Cache for free up Space on Windows 10

1. For Google Chrome:

• Open Chrome.
• Click on the three dots in the top-right corner.
• Hover over "More tools" and select "Clear browsing data."
• Choose a time range (e.g., "All time" to clear everything).
• Check "Cached images and files."
• Click "Clear data."

2. For Mozilla Firefox:

• Open Firefox.
• Click the three lines in the top-right corner.
• Select "Settings."
• Go to "Privacy & Security."
• Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" and click "Clear Data."
• Check "Cached Web Content."
• Click "Clear."

3. For Microsoft Edge:

• Open Edge.
• Click on the three dots in the top-right corner.
• Select "Settings."
• Go to "Privacy, search, and services."
• Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear."
• Select "Cached images and files."
• Click "Clear now."

While temporary files take up space, the single biggest consumers of storage on most modern PCs are applications, especially video games and professional software suites, which can easily occupy 50GB to over 100GB each. This method involves a targeted purge of these space-intensive programs you no longer use. Windows 10's native interface is a good starting point for freeing up space, but a deeper cleanup often requires more thorough steps to ensure all associated files are removed.

Method 1: Uninstall apps from Control Panel

Some applications, especially older ones, are better managed through the classic Control Panel.

Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Windows search bar).

Go to Programs > Programs and Features.

Here, you can sort the list by "Size" by clicking the column header. This list sometimes includes large Windows features (like Internet Explorer) or runtime packages that the Settings app doesn't show as clearly.

Right-click on a program and select Uninstall/Change.

Method 2: Use a dedicated App Uninstaller for a Deep Clean

Windows' native uninstaller often leaves behind registry entries, configuration files, and folders in AppData or ProgramData. A third-party uninstaller solves this.

Install a dedicated uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller Free,  BCUninstaller (open-source).

After using the tool to run the program's standard uninstaller, these applications will perform a "Deep" or "Forced" scan of your system for leftover files and registry entries.

Select and delete all found leftovers. Important: Review the scan results carefully before deleting to ensure nothing critical is selected.

Uninstalling large applications and games is a highly effective, permanent way to free up more space on Windows 10. The process goes beyond a simple uninstall click, leveraging the Control Panel for completeness, and employing a dedicated uninstaller tool to remove the often substantial "leftover" files that standard removal leaves behind. 

You can use the default Storage Sense app to safely free space on Windows 10.

Storage Sense is Windows 10's automated and proactive answer to storage management, moving beyond the manual cleanup of older tools. Instead of requiring you to remember to delete temporary files or empty the Recycle Bin, this feature operates quietly in the background according to customizable rules you set. It is designed to maintain free space automatically by targeting known areas of clutter, such as the Downloads folder and temporary system files.

Simple Steps to Configure Storage Sense:

1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I) and go to System > Storage.

2. Under the "Storage Sense" heading, toggle the switch from Off to On.

3. Click "Configure Storage Sense or run it now" just below the toggle.

4. Customize your automation rules:

• Run Storage Sense: Choose how often (Every day, week, month, or during low free disk space).
• Temporary Files: Check the box to delete temporary app files.
• Recycle Bin: Set files in the Recycle Bin to be automatically deleted after 1, 14, 30, or 60 days.
• Downloads Folder: Set the same automatic deletion rule for files in your Downloads folder.

5. Click "Clean now" under the "Free up space now" section to free space in Windows 10.

6. Close Settings. Storage Sense will now run automatically based on your schedule.

Note: The most significant risk is the automated deletion of files you might have wanted to keep, especially from the Downloads folder. If you forget to move a file from Downloads, it can be permanently deleted without warning once the timeframe you set elapses.

When the c drive is full, the built-in Disk Cleanup utility is the most straightforward and safe first step for freeing up space on Windows 10 system drive. It systematically targets and removes unnecessary files that accumulate over time, such as temporary internet files, cached data, and most importantly obsolete system files from previous updates and installations.

How to free up on Windows 10 with Disk Cleanup

Step 1: Press the Windows Key + S on your keyboard to open the search bar. Type "Disk Cleanup" and select the matching desktop app from the results.

Step 2: In the pop-up window, ensure the drive you want to clean (typically C:) is selected from the dropdown menu, then click OK. The tool will begin calculating how much space you can free.

Step 3: In the main Disk Cleanup window, you will see a list of file categories (e.g., Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files). Review the list, check the boxes for the items you wish to delete, and click OK to proceed with the cleanup.

Step 4: Return to the main Disk Cleanup window. This time, look for and click the button labeled "Clean up system files" in the lower-left corner. You will need administrator privileges, and the tool will rescan your drive.

Step 5: After the rescan, a new, expanded list will appear.  Carefully check the boxes for the large system file categories you wish to remove. Note the total amount of space you will regain at the top of the window. Click OK, then confirm by clicking "Delete Files" in the final warning dialog. The process may take several minutes to complete.

The Disk Cleanup tool, especially when used to clean system files, is an efficient and secure method for reclaiming substantial disk space. By following these steps to remove cached update data, temporary files, and if no longer needed the backup of a previous Windows installation, you can easily free up anywhere from a few gigabytes to over 30 gigabytes of crucial storage with minimal effort and zero cost, effectively rejuvenating your system's primary drive.