Your laptop suddenly started giving a warning "There is not enough disk space", programs slow down and files are not saved? This is a classic symptom of a full drive - a problem that every second user faces. The reasons may be different: from the accumulation of temporary files to ineffective work Windows with SSD/HDD. But the good news: in 90% of cases the situation can be corrected without buying a new hard drive.

In this article we will look at all working methods to free up memory on a laptop - from basic (removing garbage and cache) to advanced (transferring the system to SSD, paging file configuration). And you will also learn how prevent the disk from filling up again and select the optimal drive for the upgrade. All instructions are valid for Windows 10/11, macOS And Linux (where applicable).

1. Diagnostics: why does my laptop run out of memory?

Before you clean your disk, you need to understand what exactly takes up space. Often, users delete the wrong files or overlook “invisible memory hogs.” Here are the main culprits:

  • 🗑️ System junk: temporary files (%Temp%), browser cache, updates Windows (Windows.old). May take up to 10–30 GB.
  • 🎮 Games and programs: modern games (eg Call of Duty: Warzone) weigh 100+ GB, and programs like Adobe Photoshop or AutoCAD - up to 5–10 GB.
  • 📁 Duplicates and old files: copies of photos, videos, documents that have not been opened for a long time. Often found in folders Downloads or Desk.
  • 👻 Hidden system files: recovery points, swap file (pagefile.sys), hibernation (hiberfil.sys). They can “eat” up to 50% of RAM capacity.

To determine exactly what's taking up space, use built-in tools or third-party utilities:

Tool How to use Pros Cons
Windows Storage Settings Go to Settings → System → Memory Fast, no installation Doesn't show hidden files
WinDirStat Download from official website, run as administrator Visualizes occupied space Interface in English
TreeSize Install, select disk to scan Shows folders by size Paid version with advanced features
macOS Storage Management Apple Menu → About This Mac → Storage → Manage Automatic recommendations Limited settings
⚠️ Attention: If the disk is 95%+ full, Windows starts working in emergency mode - it slows down, does not update and may produce errors when installing programs. In this case, first free at least 10–15 GB, and then proceed to deep cleaning.

2. Quick cleaning: remove junk and unnecessary files

Start with the simplest thing - deleting temporary files and cache. It will free from 5 to 50 GB (depending on the degree of contamination of the system).

2.1. Cleaning with built-in tools Windows

B Windows 10/11 there is a built-in utility Disk Cleanupwhich removes:

  • 🧹 Temporary Internet and program files
  • 🗑️ Trash and files Windows.old (remains after update)
  • 📦 Error logs and memory dumps

How to run:

  1. Click Win + R, enter cleanmgr and select the drive.
  2. Check all the boxes, especially "Cleaning Windows Updates" And "Temporary files".
  3. Click OK and wait for completion.

For a deeper clean, use the command in Command Prompt (Administrator):

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase

2.2. Clearing browser and program caches

Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and programs (Steam, Discord, Telegram) accumulate gigabytes of cache. For example, Google Chrome may take up to 5–10 GB in a folder %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache.

How to clean:

  • 🌐 In the browser: Settings → Privacy → Clear history (select "Cookies and cache").
  • 🎮 B Steam: Settings → Downloads → Clear download cache.
  • 💬 B Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear cache.

Delete temporary files using cleanmgr

Clear browser cache

Delete old restore points

Check the Downloads folder for unnecessary files

Empty Trash -->

2.3. Removing duplicates and large files

Download utilities to find duplicates:

  • 🔍 Duplicate Cleaner (for Windows)
  • 🔍 Gemini 2 (for macOS)
  • 🔍 fdupes (for Linux, command: fdupes -rd /path/to/folder)

To search for large files (>1 GB) use:

Get-ChildItem C:\ -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $_.Length -gt 1GB } | Sort-Object Length -Descending | Select-Object FullName, @{Name="Size (GB)"; Expression={[math]::Round($_.Length / 1GB, 2)}}
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files with extensions .dll, .sys or from folders Windows/Program Files - this can break the system. If you are not sure that the file is needed, transfer it to an external drive and check the operation of the laptop.

Games and programs

Photo and video

System junk

Documents and archives

I don't know-->

3. System optimization: settings to save memory

Even after cleaning, the disk may fill up quickly due to suboptimal settings Windows or macOS. Here's what you can do:

3.1. Disabling hibernation and swap file

File hiberfil.sys (hibernation) takes up to 70% of RAM capacity (for example, with 16 GB of RAM - ~11 GB). If you don't use hibernation, disable it:

powercfg /h off

Swap file (pagefile.sys) can also be reduced or moved to another disk:

  1. Go to Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory.
  2. Uncheck “Automatically select the size of the paging file”.
  3. Install "No swap file" or specify a fixed size (for example, 2–4 GB).

3.2. Moving folders to another drive

If you have two disks (for example, SSD 256 GB and HDD for 1 TB), transfer heavy folders:

  • 📁 Documents, Downloads, Images - through Folder Options → Location.
  • 🎮 Games folder Steam: Settings → Downloads → Steam Folders → Add Library.
  • 🎵 Music and video - manually or via iTunes/VLC.

For macOS use the function "Optimize storage" in Apple Menu → About This Mac → Storage → Manage.

3.3. Setting up automatic cleaning

B Windows 10/11 there is a function "Vault", which automatically removes unnecessary files:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Memory.
  2. Enable the option "Memory control".
  3. Set up rules: for example, delete files from Baskets after 30 days and clean Downloads folder once a month.
💡

If you have SSD, do not disable the page file completely - this can lead to errors in games and heavy programs. Better reduce it to 2–4 GB.

4. Advanced methods: compression, archiving and cloud storage

If your disk space is critically low and you don’t want to delete anything, try these methods:

4.1. Compressing data using NTFS or CompactOS

File system NTFS supports lossless file compression. This will save you money up to 30% of space (especially effective for text documents and logs).

How to enable:

  1. Right click on the folder → Properties → Advanced.
  2. Check "Compress content to save space".
  3. Apply the changes to all subfolders.

For system files use CompactOS (only for Windows 10/11):

compact /compactOS:always

4.2. Archiving rarely used files

Files that you open less than once a month can be archived in .zip or .7z (compressed to 70% from the original size). Use:

  • 📦 7-Zip (free, high compression)
  • 📦 WinRAR (paid, but with a user-friendly interface)
  • 📦 Bandizip (fast compression for large files)

Example command for archiving a folder Documents:

7z a -t7z -m0=lzma2 -mx=9 -mfb=64 -md=32m "archive.7z" "C:\Users\ИмяПользователя\Documents\*"

4.3. Cloud storage and external drives

If you are constantly running out of space on your laptop, transfer some of your data to the cloud or to an external HDD/SSD:

Method Pros Cons Recommendations
Google Drive/OneDrive 15–50 GB free, synchronized Internet connection required For documents and photos
Yandex Disk/Mail.ru Cloud 10–100 GB free, fast download File size limits For backups
External HDD (1–5 TB) Large volume, low price Slower SSD, risk of damage For archives and media library
External SSD (256 GB–2 TB) High speed, compact More expensive HDD For games and programs
⚠️ Attention: Don't keep your only copy of important files in the cloud or on one external drive. Use the rule 3-2-1: 3 copies of data on 2 different media, 1 of which is outside the home (for example, cloud + external HDD + home NAS).

5. Laptop upgrade: replacing or adding a drive

If all cleaning methods do not help, it's time to think about an upgrade. Modern laptops support:

  • 🔧 Replacement HDD on SSD (acceleration by 3–5 times).
  • 🔧 Adding a Second Disk (if there is a slot for M.2 or 2.5" SATA).
  • 🔧 Replacing with a larger drive (for example, from 256 GB to 1 TB).

5.1. How to choose SSD for a laptop?

When choosing, pay attention to:

  • 📏 Form factor:
    • 2.5" SATA — for old laptops (speed up to 550 MB/s).
    • M.2 NVMe — for modern ones (speed 1000–7000 MB/s).
  • 🏎️ Read/write speed: for games and video editing, take NVMe with 3000+ MB/s (For example, Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850X).
  • 💾 Volume:
    • 256–512 GB - for office tasks.
    • 1 TB - for games and programs.
    • 2 TB+ — for video editing and media storage.
  • 🔋 Write resource (TBW): For durability, choose models with 600+ TBW (For example, Crucial T700).

5.2. Step-by-step instructions for replacing a disk

For replacement HDD on SSD you will need:

  • ✅ New SSD (laptop compatible).
  • ✅ Screwdriver (usually Phillips #0 or T5).
  • ✅ Adapter USB-to-SATA or cloning box.
  • ✅ Cloning program (Macrium Reflect, Clonezilla).

Steps:

  1. Create a backup important data on an external drive.
  2. Clone the system to a new one SSD with the help Macrium Reflect:
    3. Выберите исходный диск → Выберите целевой SSD → Нажмите "Clone" → Дождитесь завершения.
  3. Turn off your laptop, remove the battery (if possible) and the old drive.
  4. Install new SSD in the same slot (for M.2 - insert at an angle of 30° and secure with a screw).
  5. Turn on the laptop and check the system boot.

If your laptop supports two drives (for example, M.2 + 2.5" SATA), install SSD for the system, and HDD - for storage.

What to do if after replacement SSD Laptop won't turn on?

1. Check if the drive is connected correctly (especially for M.2 - it should click).

2. Go to BIOS (usually F2/Del at boot) and check if the new disk is visible.

3. If the drive is not detected, update BIOS or reset to factory settings.

4. If the system does not boot, create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows and install the system again.

6. Prevention: how to prevent the disk from becoming full?

To prevent the problem from recurring, follow these rules:

  • 📅 Monthly cleaning: run cleanmgr and delete unnecessary files.
  • 🚫 Download control: Do not save files to Desk or in Downloads - use separate folders on another drive.
  • 🔄 Automatic backups: configure Time Machine (macOS) or File history (Windows) to save important data.
  • 🛡️ Virus protection: Some viruses create thousands of temporary files. Use Kaspersky or Bitdefender.
  • 📉 Disk monitoring: utilities like CrystalDiskInfo will show the condition SSD/HDD and warn you about malfunctions.

For Windows configure disk space limitation for specific folders:

  1. Open Settings → System → Memory → Storage Configuration.
  2. Set limits for Temporary files, Cart And OneDrive.
💡

Regular cleaning and proper organization of files saves up to 20-30 GB per month. Automate the process with built-in tools Windows/macOS or third party utilities (CCleaner, BleachBit).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about low memory on a laptop

❓ Is it possible to delete a folder Windows.old?

Yes, this is the folder with the old version Windows, which is created after the update. You can remove it via Disk Cleanup (select "Previous Windows Installations") or manually (administrator rights required). Important: Once uninstalled, you will not be able to roll back to the previous version of the OS.

❓ Why does the space quickly run out again after cleaning?

Probable reasons:

  • Automatic updates Windows or programs.
  • Browser and game cache (especially Steam, Battle.net).
  • Viruses or background processes (check in Task Manager).
  • Page file or hibernation (disable if not needed).

Use disk monitoring utilities (TreeSize, WizTree) to keep track of what exactly is taking up space.

❓ How to transfer Windows on SSD without reinstallation?

Use cloning programs:

  1. Macrium Reflect Free - simple interface, supports UEFI.
  2. Clonezilla - free, but more difficult to use.
  3. Samsung Data Migration - if you have SSD from Samsung.

Before cloning:

  • Connect new SSD through USB adapter.
  • Make sure there is enough space (preferably 1.5 times more than the system occupies).
  • Disable antivirus and closed programs.
❓ Is it worth buying SSD instead of HDD?

Yes, if:

  • 🚀 The loading speed of the system and programs is important to you (SSD 3–5 times faster).
  • 💻 The laptop is used to work with large files (video, graphics, databases).
  • 🔋 You want to reduce energy consumption and heating ( SSD has no moving parts).

No if:

  • 💰 Budget is limited ( HDD cheaper for 1 TB).
  • 📚 You need to store large archives (photos, videos) that are rarely opened.

The best option is a combo: SSD for system and programs + HDD for storage.

❓ Is it possible to use a flash drive as additional memory?

Yes, in Windows there is a function «ReadyBoost», which allows you to use a flash drive or SD card like cache memory. However:

  • ⚡ Speed will be lower than SSD/HDD (maximum - USB 3.0 from 100–200 MB/s).
  • 🔌 The flash drive must be at least 4 GB and format NTFS/exFAT.
  • 🛑 Not suitable for file storage - only for cache acceleration.

How to enable:

  1. Connect the flash drive.
  2. Right click → Properties → ReadyBoost.
  3. Select "Provide this device" and indicate the volume (optimally - 1-2 times more than RAM).