
If your PC's storage is full, there's no need to go out and buy a new computer. You can easily free up space on your drive by optimizing your file storage. Next, we'll explain how to do this.
But today, things are different. Now, it can be confidently said that PCs are the best platform for gaming, and we will explain why.
Delete Unnecessary Files
There are likely files on your computer that you haven't used in a long time. These can be images, screenshots, videos, presentations, text documents, etc. Simply delete them to free up space on your computer's storage.
Check all your disks, folders, and don't forget to go to "Downloads". This is a system folder where all downloaded files from browsers and messengers are stored. If you don't know where the "Downloads" folder is, just open the "Start" menu and type its name in the search bar. The operating system will open it in a separate window.
Delete Unnecessary Games, Programs, and Applications
Games, programs, and applications can take up tens, sometimes hundreds, of gigabytes. To free up disk space, be sure to delete unnecessary software.
The easiest way to do this is to use the built-in Windows utility "Apps & features". This menu lists all the programs installed on your PC. Simply click on each application and press the "Uninstall" button.
To go to "Apps & features", press "Start" and type the name of this menu in the search bar. You can also open this utility through "Settings". Press "Start", launch "Settings", and click on the "Apps" tab on the left. At the top will be the "Apps & features" menu.
Some games may not be removable this way. In that case, you'll need to go into the program through which you installed the game, such as Steam, and delete the project from there. If you don't use online stores like Steam and install games from third-party resources, you'll need to go to the folder where the game is installed. There, you will need to find the game's uninstall program and run it.
Move Files to the Cloud or External Storage
If you cannot delete some files, simply transfer them to external USB devices.
You can buy these devices in any computer store. We recommend paying attention to external SSD drives. They are more reliable than flash drives and hard drives and have a high write speed. Large files can be very quickly written to such storage, and you won't have to wait long for uploads.
If it's inconvenient for you to store files on external media, you can use cloud storage services like "Google Drive" or "OneDrive". This means you can store data online and download it to your PC just as if it were on a USB flash drive.
Cloud storage services are very convenient, requiring only an internet connection to work. Moreover, they are entirely free and secure. You won't have to pay any money or worry about the safety of your data.
The most popular cloud storage services are OneDrive and Google Drive. The former is pre-installed on all Windows 10 and 11 computers. The latter is a regular website. If these services do not meet your needs for any reason, you can always use any other. There are many available today.
Clean Your System Using Special Programs
Browsers and Windows operating systems generate a lot of junk files. These files are not used by the computer and just take up space on the drive. It's not possible to get rid of these junk files manually, but special programs can do the job. The most popular among them is "CCleaner". It's completely free, so download it from the official website and install it like any other program.
After installing and launching CCleaner, go to the "Cleaner" tab. The program will scan your system, find junk files, and offer to delete them. Agree to this and restart your computer. This will help free up dozens of Gb of memory.
After cleaning the system, we recommend uninstalling the program. It will only bother you with its constant notifications. If you need to clean the system again, simply reinstall it and repeat the process.
Add or Replace Storage Devices
If none of the methods listed suits you, your only option is to replace or install an additional storage device. This will require partially disassembling the device, identifying the connection interface, and choosing the appropriate storage device.
They can be divided into several categories:
Possibility to create a device in an individual design
- 3.5-inch Hard Drives: Cheap and slow. Installed in desktops and all-in-one;
- 2.5-inch Hard Drives: Smaller versions of the standard hard drives. Installed in desktops, all-in-ones, and older laptops;
- 2.5-inch SSDs: Have the same dimensions as 2.5-inch hard drives but offer high speed and stable operation. Installed in desktops, all-in-ones, and laptops;
- M.2 SSDs: The smallest storage devices. Look like small boards with chips and controllers. Most models use the PCI-E connection interface, which provides tremendous speed. M.2 SSDs are installed in gaming computers, all-in-ones, and modern laptops;
If you have never disassembled computer equipment before, it's better to seek professionals. Many workshops offer services to install new storage devices. They can also easily transfer your old data to new devices.
How to Increase Storage Space on a PC: Conclusions
To optimize your file storage, do the following:
- Delete unnecessary files;
- Uninstall unnecessary games, programs, and applications;
- Move files to the cloud or external storage devices;
- Clean your system with special programs, such as CCleaner.
If these methods don't help and you still need more free space, you will need to replace or install a new storage device.
Memory capacity on HYPERPC computers
HYPERPC computers come with an optimal amount of memory right out of the box, but if the standard file storage is not enough, you can increase it. Our PCs are equipped with many additional slots for installing new drives. You will be able to easily increase the file storage capacity.