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

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.