As long as we use our computers, many users notice that the available capacity of the C drive (system drive) is getting smaller and smaller. Some of them even get the "low disk space" notifications. Once this happens, it not only slows down your system but can also block system updates, software execution, and even cause data loss.
This article not only provides step-by-step solutions to the "My C drive is full" issue, but also explains the causes and offers preventative measures to keep your computer running smoothly.
Before cleaning it up, it's also essential to figure out the culprit. Do you have no large software installed or excessive data stored, but your C drive is still full? It is full mostly because the following files are quietly occupying storage space.
Many users delete useless files immediately when their C drive is almost full. Improper operation can lead to system instability or even loss of important data. Therefore, if you attempt to clean up the C disk manually, please take a look at the following points before you begin:
When your C disk is running low on space, in addition to uninstalling unnecessary software, you can also manually delete or migrate some data to free up space. Here are five standard and safe methods.
Windows' built-in Disk Cleanup feature can quickly clear out useless data, such as temporary files, system logs, and the Windows Update cache. While it might not be enough to solve the problem of "My C drive is almost full," it's still helpful.
Tip: By clicking "Clean up system files", you can also delete the previous Windows installation files, namely Windows.old and other useless files.
Temporary files are temporary data generated while you're using your computer. They don't actually serve any purpose. They can take up a significant amount of storage space over time. To clear them, you can do the following:
Please note that some items may be in use by the system or other programs, which cannot be deleted. In this case, you can restart your computer and try again.
For easy access, many users save documents, music, videos, and other files directly to the C drive. If your C drive is almost full, you are supposed to delete some useless items or try moving them to another partition. Alternatively, you can also empty the Recycle Bin.
Browser cache data also takes up system disk space. Clearing it can resolve the "My C drive is full" issue, but its effectiveness is limited. We'll use Chrome as an example to guide you through this process.
Compared to shutting down your computer, hibernation not only saves energy but also allows you to quickly return to your previous system status, including showing any open applications and documents. However, hibernation creates a file called hiberfil.sys on your C drive, which typically takes up several gigabytes of storage space. Therefore, if you encounter the error "my C drive is full without reason" after waking up your computer, enter "powercfg -h off" in the command prompt and press Enter to delete this file.
Note: The command will turn off your computer's hibernation function. If you wish to re-enable it, enter "powercfg -h on" in the command prompt and press Enter.
While the above methods can free up some space on the C Drive, unfortunately, you'll need to try each one individually. If you prefer a more straightforward and faster solution, using a third-party tool is a good idea.
These tools have powerful scanning features, which can help you clean up unnecessary and duplicate items from the C Drive thoroughly. Next, we'll use CCleaner to show you how to do this for free.
When Drive C is filling up, duplicate files often go unnoticed. In fact, they can also take up a significant amount of storage space, especially if you've been using your computer for a long time. The following methods can help you delete these duplicates.
As time passes, the C drive will inevitably fill up due to the accumulation of junk files, system cache, and duplicate files. If you want to address this issue fundamentally, the best solution is to migrate applications installed on the C drive and resize it.
Coincidentally, iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard can resize partitions and seamlessly migrate applications without losing data. It's easy to use and saves you the time of searching for similar tools.
Nowadays, almost all applications are installed on the C drive by default. Without changing it, as time passes and programs increase, the available space on the C drive will become less and less. Therefore, migrating programs releases a large amount of storage space. Here are the steps.
If your C drive repeatedly turns red, it may be due to improper hard drive partitioning. The following methods can help you reallocate hard drive space.
The C disk is like the "heart" of your computer. If it runs out of space, it not only affects performance but can also cause system crashes and loss of data being edited. With the methods mentioned in this article, we hope you can quickly resolve the "my C drive is full" issue. Finally, to avoid recurring problems, we recommend using iBeesoft Disk Partition Wizard to migrate programs or resize the C drive. It also allows you to migrate the OS when upgrading your hard drive.
You should avoid deleting unfamiliar system files or folders. For this reason, we recommend using the system's built-in disk cleanup tool for safe cleaning.
It is most likely to happen after a system upgrade or hibernation. When Windows is upgraded or reinstalled, it automatically creates backup files and places them in the Windows.old folder. Hibernation also creates a hiberfil.sys file. These two files can be several GB. It can also happen if your computer is infected with a virus.
First, check the Recycle Bin. If they're not there, try data recovery software to retrieve them.
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