How much free storage should you have on your computer?
If your computer is slow, check its hard drive. You may need to clear storage space to make your PC run more smoothly. Simply put, your device needs a certain amount of free space to work correctly.
How much free space your computer needs will depend on the brand and model. We’ll give you details in this tech tip. In the meantime, you should also look for signs that your hard drive is failing. Watch for things like strange sounds.
If you hear strange noises, it might be time for an upgrade. Tap or click here for six more ways to keep your device going strong. Scroll down for ways to make your computer high-performance again.
How much free hard drive space do you need?
Want to find out your drive’s capacity? We can help you see how much wiggle room you have.
Windows computers need at least 100 MB of free space
👍 This rule of thumb applies to computers running Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.
🦖 Are you still running Windows 7? That’s dangerous! It doesn’t get patch updates. You’re making it easy for hackers to break into your computer.
🖥️ However, even 100 MB may not be enough. Your computer needs at least 10% of free space available to install updates, Dell reports.
Easy ways to clear storage space
One easy way to free up storage space is to use Disk Cleanup, a built-in tool that finds files to delete. You can also use OneDrive Files On-Demand.
If you’re feeling extra technical, you can use Windows command prompts. Tap or click here for a step-by-step guide to clearing storage space on your Windows computer.
Quick tip: Find out how much storage is remaining on your Mac or PC
Back in the day, hard drives had severely limited storage space. Now, we’re spoiled with multi-terabyte hard drives that can store endless movies and programs. While that’s super convenient, it can also make us a little complacent.
Our PC and laptop picks for remote workers and small businesses
If you’re looking for a new computer to work on, you will find yourself swimming in a sea of options. There are countless gadgets to choose from. Whether you want a tiny, simple laptop or a 2-in-1 that doubles as a tablet, you can find almost anything your heart desires.
Must-have download: Quick, simple screen capture and file sharing tool
Grabbing a screenshot can be an essential part of your everyday workflow, whether for your use or to share with others. While taking a screenshot is nothing new, historically, the most simple way to do so has been to click the Print Screen key. Even then, you would have to use another program to change the screenshot to something usable.
Check your PC or Mac for a dangerous program that records your keystrokes
Criminals looking to rip you off never stop coming up with clever new ways to do it. Sometimes, their schemes run behind the scenes on your device and you may never know what’s going on.
One example comes in the form of malicious apps that are designed to run adware. Another sneaky way thieves can rip you off is through a keylogger, a program secretly installed on your device to record keystrokes.