Why my laptop says low disk space: causes & fixes
That pop-up means the drive that runs your OS is almost full. When space drops near zero, updates fail, apps crash, and files may not save. The good news: a few smart moves clear gigabytes fast.
What the alert means
Your OS needs headroom to write temp files, caches, and updates. Windows even reserves a slice of storage so updates and core tasks can run. When free space dips, the warning appears to nudge action.
Quick triage before deep cleaning
Start with easy wins. Empty the trash or Recycle Bin, clear browser downloads, and reboot once. If the warning persists, work through the steps below for your platform.
Laptop low disk space warning: fast Windows and Mac fixes
Fast causes and quick checks
| Cause | What it looks like | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Huge Downloads folder | Installers, ISO/ZIP files piling up | Sort by size and delete old installers |
| Recycle Bin not emptied | Deleted files still on disk | Empty Recycle Bin / Trash |
| Video and photo dumps | Projects, RAW shots, 4K clips | Move to an external drive or cloud |
| Apps and games | Large suites, launchers, AAA titles | Uninstall or move to another drive |
| System leftovers | Temp files, update debris | Run built-in cleanup tools |
| Cloud sync set to offline | Files kept locally and in cloud | Switch to online-only items |
| Backups and device images | iPhone/iPad backups, DMGs | Remove old backups and DMGs |
Fixing low disk space on Windows
1) Use Cleanup recommendations
Open Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Review Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud, and Unused apps. Select items and run Clean up for each section. This catches update leftovers, temp caches, and giant downloads in one pass.
2) Turn on Storage Sense
Still in Storage, enable the automatic cleaner. Windows can clear temp files, empty the Recycle Bin on a schedule, and prune the Downloads folder. For a one-time sweep, run it now. For hands-off upkeep, set it to run when space is low.
3) Sort apps by size and uninstall
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features). Sort by Size. Remove games you no longer play, trial editors, and duplicate tools. Launchers and their caches can consume tens of gigabytes.
4) Make cloud files online-only
If you use OneDrive, switch large folders to online-only so they don’t live twice. Right-click a folder in File Explorer and choose Free up space. You can still open items; Windows streams them on demand. Learn more about Files On-Demand.
5) Clear update leftovers
In Storage > Temporary files, select Windows Update Cleanup, Delivery Optimization files, and previous installation files if listed. Remove them to free multiple gigabytes.
6) Empty hidden caches
Clear browser caches, video editor caches, and game shader caches from within each app. Some suites keep render previews by default. Look for “cache,” “preview,” or “media cache” folders inside project settings.
7) Shrink system files safely
Hibernation can take many gigabytes. If you don’t use it, run Command Prompt as admin and type: powercfg /h off. To reverse, use powercfg /h on. Also check System Protection and trim restore points if space is tight.
8) Move libraries to another drive
Have a second drive? In File Explorer, right-click Documents, Pictures, Videos, or Music > Properties > Location, then Move. New files land on the larger drive, easing pressure on C:.
9) Scan for runaway folders
Use the Storage map in Settings to spot outsized folders. If logs or a single app folder is exploding, check its settings or reinstall it on another drive.
10) Plan a storage upgrade
If your system drive is 128-256 GB and packed, a 500 GB or 1 TB SSD brings headroom and speed. Many laptops accept an M.2 NVMe upgrade. Clone the drive or start fresh, then keep heavy libraries off C:.
Freeing space on macOS
1) Use the Storage recommendations
Go to System Settings > General > Storage. Use the tools to Review Files, remove large downloads, and empty Trash automatically. Apple’s guide on freeing storage on Mac walks through each panel.
2) Stream cloud content
With iCloud Drive or OneDrive, store originals in the cloud and keep smaller versions locally. In Files apps, mark seldom-used folders as online-only. For OneDrive on Mac, the Files On-Demand feature keeps disk usage lean.
3) Remove old device backups and DMGs
Finder > Go > Downloads often hides gigabyte-sized installers and disk images. Delete what you no longer need. In Finder > Manage Backups, remove stale iPhone or iPad backups you’ve already replaced.
4) Tame “System Data” bloat
Cache folders and app leftovers can swell. Quit apps, then clear app caches you recognize inside ~/Library/Caches. Skip anything you don’t recognize.
5) Trim media libraries
Photos, iMovie, and Final Cut libraries grow fast. Archive older projects to an external drive. In Photos settings, store originals in iCloud and keep smaller copies on the Mac.
6) Time Machine snapshots
When a backup disk isn’t connected, macOS can hold local snapshots. Plug in the backup drive to let old snapshots roll off, or run a manual backup to release space.
Extra checks when space keeps vanishing
Hunt large files with built-in maps
On Windows, open Settings > System > Storage and click each drive to see what’s hogging space. On macOS, System Settings > General > Storage shows Large Files, Downloads, and disk images. Remove what you don’t need.
Control cloud sync scope
Sync clients can mirror huge folders. Pick only the folders you need offline. Mark archives as online-only so storage stays free while files remain reachable.
Move scratch and render folders
Creative apps let you set a scratch disk. Point these heavy temp folders to a roomy secondary drive. Clear old previews and proxies after projects ship.
Set a scratch disk in creative apps
In Adobe tools, open Preferences and point the scratch folder to a roomy drive. Close old projects so they stop pinning preview files.
Watch for runaway logs
VPN clients, browsers, and dev tools can generate giant logs. If a Logs folder grows daily, rotate logs in the app, update to a fixed build, or purge the old ones.
What to delete and what to keep
| Item | Safe to remove? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old installers (EXE, DMG, ISO, ZIP) | Yes | Re-download later if needed |
| Windows Update Cleanup | Yes | Use Storage tools |
| Browser caches | Yes | May sign you out of sites |
| Photo/video render caches | Yes | Apps rebuild if required |
| Hibernation file | Yes, if you disable hibernation | Turn off with powercfg /h off |
| System restore points | Trim, don’t wipe all | Keep recent points |
| Program Files folders | No | Uninstall through Settings |
| Windows or macOS folders | No | Leave core files alone |
Preventing the warning from returning
Right-size your default save locations
Point Steam, Adobe, and similar tools to a larger data drive. Save camera imports to that drive too. Let C: hold the OS and apps only.
Use built-in automation
Schedule Windows Storage Sense to tidy temp files and bin contents. On macOS, enable automatic Trash removal and review Storage panels monthly.
Keep libraries off the system drive
Store video projects, sample packs, and virtual machines on a secondary SSD. If you use a single-drive laptop, move archives to an external NVMe or to cloud storage you can re-download when needed.
Track free space
Pin free space as a widget or keep a small monitor in the tray/menu bar. A quick glance reduces surprises during big downloads or edits.
When a bigger drive is the real fix
Know the upgrade path
Many laptops accept an M.2 NVMe stick. Thin models may use a soldered SSD; an external USB-C NVMe enclosure is a solid path. If you edit 4K video, size up to 1–2 TB.
Clone or clean install
Cloning moves your setup to the new SSD. A clean install gives a fresh start and drops years of cruft. Back up first, then choose the route that fits your time window.
Windows reserved storage explained
Starting with recent releases, Windows reserves a bit of space so updates and core features have room to work. That space changes slightly across builds. It grows and shrinks as needed automatically. When the drive runs low, Windows can reclaim part of that reserve for other tasks.
Fix the recovery or system partition alert
Sometimes the pop-up points to a tiny recovery partition that got a drive letter. Remove the letter in Disk Management so the OS can use it quietly again. Do not delete that partition.
Clean Delivery Optimization cache
Windows can cache update files to help other PCs on your network. Open Windows Update settings, choose Delivery Optimization, then open its cache settings. Clear the cache if it ballooned.
Extend the C: partition when space exists
If free space sits next to C: on the same disk, extend C: using Disk Management. If space is on another disk, move libraries and apps there instead of forcing C: to grow.
Quick plan you can finish in 15 minutes
- Run Cleanup recommendations and Storage Sense.
- Empty Recycle Bin and Downloads.
- Sort apps by Size; uninstall the top two you don’t use.
- Mark large OneDrive folders as online-only.
- Reboot and confirm free space rose above 10–15% of the drive.
macOS tips for stubborn space leaks
Mail downloads and attachments
The Mail app keeps copies of attachments. In Mail, choose Mailbox > Erase Junk Mail, then Mailbox > Erase Deleted Items. Remove old mailboxes you no longer need.
GarageBand and iMovie extras
Sound packs and background content stack up. Open GarageBand > Sound Library > Delete Downloaded Sounds if you stopped using them. In iMovie or Final Cut, clear render files from library settings.
Photos storage tuning
If the Photos library lives on the internal drive and fills it, move the library to an external SSD and set that as the System Photo Library. Turn on cloud syncing so thumbnails stay on the laptop while originals live elsewhere.
Developer leftovers
Xcode derived data and simulators take space. In Xcode > Settings > Locations, click the arrow by Derived Data and delete old folders. Remove unused iOS device runtimes in Settings > Platforms.
Linux notes for dual-boot laptops
Package caches
On Debian-based distros, run sudo apt clean. On Fedora, use sudo dnf clean all. This clears cached packages that are safe to remove.
Old kernels and logs
Prune old kernels with your package manager. For logs, run sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=14d to shrink the journal. Keep one or two previous kernels for safety.
Why the alert keeps coming back
Offline maps and media downloads
Windows Offline maps, Spotify downloads, and video platforms can refill space fast. Move their download folders to a larger drive, or delete offline content once you’re done.
Virtual machines and containers
VMs and Docker images grow with use. Compact virtual disks inside the VM tool and prune old images. Park finished VMs on an external SSD.
Restore a healthy buffer
A good rule: keep at least 15–20% free. Large updates, caches, and edits have room. If you sit below that line even after cleanup, step up to a bigger SSD.
After cleanup: what changes
With space back, updates install smoothly, sleep and resume feel snappier, and large folders open without lag. Apps can write caches again, so video timelines scrub cleanly and web pages stop choking on temp file limits. Crash reports drop when disks hold 10–20% free. That buffer lets browsers, databases, and creative suites breathe. Keep the Storage pages close, schedule a monthly pass with built-in tools, and set your download folders to clear on a timer. Treat C: as the home for the OS and core apps, while assets and archives live on a second drive or in trusted cloud storage.