What can I delete from C drive? Explaining how to increase capacity [Windows 10, 11]

The following items can be deleted from C drive.

• Windows temporary files
• page file
• backup file
• Older versions of Windows
• Apps I no longer use
• Browser temporary files

You may be in trouble if your computer slows down or if you want to install a new program and a notification appears saying "C drive is low on space."
One solution is to delete unnecessary files from C drive.
However, since the C drive stores system files and important programs, it can be difficult to know which files are safe to delete.
In this article, we will explain the types of files that can be safely deleted from C drive and how to do so for Windows 10 and 11 users.
We will also explain in detail what you should be aware of, so please read with confidence.

What can I delete (files, folders) on C drive?

The Windows C drive stores important system files and programs that greatly affect the performance of your computer. However, a lot of unnecessary files also accumulate, so it is important to delete them and make effective use of your storage space. So, what kind of files and folders can and should not be deleted? To find out the answer, this article details the main files and folders that can be safely deleted on C drive.

The C drive is mainly used to store the OS (operating system) and system-related files, and therefore has a direct impact on the operation and performance of your computer. Accumulation of unnecessary files can take up space in your storage space and slow down your computer. To prevent this, it is recommended that you regularly delete unnecessary files as part of proper maintenance. However, if you accidentally delete important system files, your system may not function properly, so it is essential to understand which files to delete.

The main files and folders that can be safely deleted from C drive include:

1. temporary file:
   A file created and used temporarily by Windows and applications. Many of them are automatically deleted after a reboot or after a certain period of time, but some may remain undeleted.
   
2. backup file:
   These files are used to update or repair Windows, but if you no longer need a backup at a particular point in time, you can delete them.
   
3. Old Windows installation files:
   When you update to a new version of Windows, files from the old version are saved in the “C:\Windows.old” folder. These can be deleted.
   
4. download folder:
   This is the folder where files downloaded by the user are saved. Downloaded files that are no longer needed can be deleted.
   
5. cache file:
   A file that is temporarily stored by web browsers and applications to improve speed. It is recommended that you delete these regularly as well.

An important note: Do not delete system files or application-related files stored in the "Windows" or "Program Files" folders. These files are essential to the proper operation of your system, and incorrectly deleting them can cause your system to become unstable.

The things that can be deleted from C drive are mainly temporary files, backup files, old Windows installation files, files in the download folder, cache files, etc. By deleting these files regularly, you can effectively increase the capacity of your C drive and maintain the performance of your computer. However, it does not delete important system files and requires understanding and caution about which files should not be deleted. The following section explains how to delete these files and folders.

Types of things (files and folders) that can be deleted from C drive and how to delete them

Windows C drive has files and folders that can be safely deleted, such as temporary files, backup files, old Windows installation files, files in the Downloads folder, and cache files. By deleting these files properly, you can increase the capacity of your C drive and maintain the performance of your computer. This article provides detailed steps on how to delete these files and folders.

When these unnecessary files and folders accumulate, they can take up space on your C drive and slow down your computer. Therefore, by deleting these files and folders regularly, you can free up space on your C drive and optimize your computer's performance.

Now, let's take a look at the specific deletion method.

1. Delete temporary files: Select "Storage" from the Windows settings menu, select the "Temporary files" item and delete it.
2. Delete backup files: From "System and Security" in the control panel, select "Backup and Restore" and delete unnecessary backup files.
3. Delete old Windows installation files: Open the “C:\Windows.old” folder and delete all files in the folder. However, this folder cannot be deleted using normal methods, so we will use the "Disk Cleanup" tool.
4. Delete files in the Downloads folder: Open the Downloads folder in Explorer and manually delete unnecessary files.
5. Delete cache files: Delete cache from the settings menu of your web browser or application. Depending on your browser, select items such as "Clear history" or "Clear data."

By safely deleting files and folders from your C drive, you can optimize your computer's performance and maintain a comfortable operating environment. However, you must be careful not to accidentally delete important system files. Continue to perform regular maintenance to keep your computer in top condition.

How to delete unnecessary files from C drive in Windows 11

1. Open "Settings" from the Start button.

2. Click "Storage" from the left menu of System (it will be System when you open Settings).

3.Click "Cleanup Target Candidates" located slightly below the storage window.

Four,

1. Check the items you want to delete
2. Click the "Clean up XX.XGB" button below the item.
3. Cleanup will begin.

5. Cleanup is complete.

This is how to delete temporary files in Windows 11.

Types of files that should not be deleted from C drive and precautions

C drive contains important system files and application related files and you should avoid deleting them. These files are essential to the proper operation of your system, and incorrectly deleting them can cause your system to become unstable. This article explains the types of files that you shouldn't delete, and what you need to know to handle them safely.

Windows system files and application-related files are important components that provide the basic functionality of your computer. Deleting these files may cause your system to become unstable or prevent you from using certain features. [4]

Now, let's take a look at the specific types of files that you shouldn't delete, and the precautions to take when handling them safely.

1. system file:
   These are mainly stored in the "Windows" folder and are responsible for the basic operations of the OS. System files are usually hidden and intentionally prevented from being deleted. Deleting these files may cause your system to malfunction.
   
2. Application related files:
   These files are mainly stored in the “Program Files” folder and “Program Files (x86)” folder. The files in these folders are necessary for the installed software to function properly. If you remove them, the software may no longer work properly.
   
3. Windows ESD installation file:
   These files are necessary for updating or restoring Windows. If removed, you may not be able to restore or reset your system. [8]

In order to safely handle files that should not be deleted, it is important to understand their existence and importance. System files, application-related files, and Windows ESD installation files play an essential role in the stable operation of your computer. With proper knowledge, you can avoid accidentally deleting these files and use your computer safely. You can also improve your computer's performance and free up storage space by deleting unnecessary files, but you should be careful when doing so. For more information on how to manage C drive space without deleting essential files, please see our other article.

Frequently asked questions about “What can I delete from C drive?”

I'm not sure why the C drive is running out of space, but please let me know what to do.

If your C drive is running low on space and you don't know why, you may be able to resolve the issue by trying some of the steps listed below.

1. Using disk cleanup tools:
   Windows 10 comes with tools to free up disk space by deleting unnecessary temporary files, system files, backup files, etc. You can use this "Disk Cleanup" tool to free up space on C drive.3
2. Checking for compatible applications with your system:
   Some applications may create large amounts of temporary files in the background. You can free up disk space by identifying these applications and uninstalling them if necessary.
3. Deleting old system restore points:
   System restore points also take up a lot of disk space. You can save disk space by deleting old system restore points.
4. Check hidden files and folders:
   Some hidden files and folders can occupy a large amount of disk space. You can free up disk space by finding these files and folders and deleting unnecessary ones.

An unexplained lack of space in C drive may be a troublesome problem, but it is possible to solve this problem by investigating the problem with proper means and taking appropriate measures. If necessary, one option is to seek the opinion of an IT professional.

There is something wrong with the capacity of my C drive, but I would like to know the cause and how to deal with it.

If you feel that the capacity of C drive is strange, there are several possible causes and solutions.

1. hidden files and folders:
   Some system and hidden files are not visible through regular Explorer, but they can take up a lot of space. You can see these files by selecting Hidden Items from the View tab in Explorer.
2. System restore points:
   Windows System Restore automatically creates a snapshot to return your system to a previous state. These provide valuable backup information but take up a large amount of disk space. It is possible to delete old restore points from system properties.
3. temporary file:
   The software creates temporary files and is supposed to delete them after use, but they may not be deleted successfully. These can be removed using Windows' Disk Cleanup tool.3
4. malware:
   Unauthorized software and malware can waste disk space. It is important to regularly scan with security software and address any issues found immediately.

If you still feel that the capacity of your C drive is strange after going through the steps above, consider consulting an IT professional.

Is it because of a virus that the C drive capacity increases automatically?

If your C drive grows by itself, it may be due to a virus, but it is not the only cause. The following factors may also be considered:

1. temporary file:
   Some applications and system processes create temporary files as they perform work. These temporary files are usually deleted once the work is complete, but if for some reason they are not deleted, the drive can take up space on its own.
2. System updates and backups:
   Windows 10 regularly updates automatically and also takes system backups, so the space on your C drive may increase. In such cases, you can deal with it by adjusting the system update settings and backup settings.
3. viruses and malware:
   Viruses and malware can also invade your PC and generate a large number of malicious files. In such cases, it is important to regularly scan with your security software and take appropriate action if any issues are discovered.

Keep these factors in mind and take appropriate action if you see suspicious activity. If in doubt, seeking the opinion of an IT professional is also an option.

Please tell me the cause and solution if the capacity of C drive increases automatically.

If the capacity of the C drive increases without permission, the following causes and countermeasures can be considered.

1. Increase in temporary files:
   Software and systems generate temporary files as they work and are supposed to delete them when they are finished, but some may not be deleted. Delete these regularly using the Disk Cleanup tool.
2. Windows updates and backups:
   Windows automatic updates and system backups can increase the space of C drive. You can control the increase in storage capacity by adjusting backup settings and deleting old update files.
3. viruses and malware:
   There is also a possibility that rogue software can enter your PC and generate a large number of files. To combat this, run regular scans with your security software and take immediate action if you find any issues.
4. restore point:
   Windows automatically creates system restore points. Although they provide important backup information, they take up large disk space. You may also consider deleting old restore points from system properties.

Even after trying these solutions, if your C drive continues to grow by itself, we recommend that you seek professional help.

What can I delete from C drive? Summary of how to increase capacity

In this article, we explained the types of files and folders that can be deleted to free up space on C drive in Windows 10 and 11, and how to delete them. You can safely delete certain types of files, such as temporary files, downloaded files, old system files, and updated files, but you should not delete certain types of files, such as system files or program files. To delete unnecessary files, use the "Disk Cleanup" tool or "Storage Settings". We also mentioned what to do if the capacity of C drive increases automatically. Use the above knowledge to properly manage your computer.