Windows 10, when set properly, can automatically delete unwanted files, like temporary files, old items in the recycle bin, and files in the Downloads folder that have not been accessed or used in a month. Using Storage sense frees up space on your computer.
Storage sense does not remove all the files you do not need, so in addition to the files that are automatically deleted, you might need to delete other temporary files, Update logs, or other unwanted and unneeded files.
To enable Storage sense in Windows 10:
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Open Windows Settings.
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Click System.
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Click Storage.
- Turn the Storage sense toggle switch to On.
Figure : Storage sense toggled to On
- Click Change how we free up space.
Figure : Change how we free up space selected
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Make the desired selections:
Under Temporary files select what you want to delete:
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Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using.
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Delete files that have been in the recycle bin for over 30 days.
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Delete files in the Downloads folder that haven't changed in 30 days.
Under Free up space now you can delete the previous installation of Windows if you have installed a newer version of Windows.
Click Clean now to immediately free up the space or close the Settings window and Storage sense deletes the items later.
note:
Depending on your version of Windows, the Change how we free up space window might vary slightly, but most of the selections are available.
Figure : Change how we free up space
Saving files to a new location on a secondary drive
To save files to a new location on a secondary or external hard drive, change the location of the folders to the new destination to avoid confusion when saving files.
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Open File explorer.
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Navigate to This PC.
Figure : File explorer - This PC
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Right-click the Documents folder.
Figure : Documents folder
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Click Properties.
Figure : Documents Properties
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Open the Location tab, and then click Find Target.
Figure : Location tab - Find Target
Windows explorer opens.
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Browse to the location for the new document folder.
Copy the address from the address bar and paste it into the field, and then click Apply.
Figure : Location field
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In the Move Folder box, click Yes to move your files and content from the old location to the new location you chose.
Figure : Move Folder
You can repeat this procedure for other folders whose setting you changed in the Storage settings above.
You can repeat this procedure to change the location folders to avoid confusion when saving files.