How to Free Up Disk Space After a Windows Update

Windows updates are essential for keeping your system secure and running smoothly, but they can take up a significant amount of disk space. After installing a major update, you might notice that your storage has significantly decreased. Fortunately, there are several ways to reclaim disk space after a Windows update. In this guide, we'll cover the best methods to free up space and keep your system optimized.

1. Why Windows Updates Consume Disk Space

Windows updates, especially major feature upgrades, create a backup of the previous version of Windows. This allows users to revert to the previous build if something goes wrong. Additionally, updates generate temporary files, logs, and leftover installation files that can accumulate over time.

2. Use Disk Cleanup to Delete Update Files

Disk Cleanup is a built-in Windows utility that helps clean up unnecessary files:

1. Press Win + S and type "Disk Cleanup".
2. Select the drive (usually C:) and click OK.
3. Click "Clean up system files".
4. Check the following boxes:
   - Windows Update Cleanup
   - Delivery Optimization Files
   - Temporary Files
   - Recycle Bin
5. Click OK and then Delete Files to proceed.

3. Remove Previous Windows Installation Files

If you have recently upgraded to a new version of Windows, old installation files might still be taking up space:

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to System > Storage.
2. Click Temporary files.
3. Check "Previous Windows installation(s)".
4. Click Remove files to free up space.

4. Uninstall Unnecessary Apps and Features

Some apps installed by default may not be useful to you. Uninstalling them can save space:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Sort apps by size to see the largest ones first.
3. Select the app and click Uninstall.

5. Use Storage Sense for Automated Cleanup

Windows 10 and 11 offer a feature called Storage Sense that can automatically clean up space:

1. Open Settings and go to System > Storage.
2. Toggle on Storage Sense.
3. Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
4. Set preferences for automatic cleanup and click Clean now.

6. Manually Delete Windows Update Log Files

Windows update log files can accumulate and consume disk space. You can delete them manually:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to:
   C:\Windows\Logs\CBS
2. Delete the files in the folder (administrator permission required).

7. Clean Up System Restore Points

System restore points can also occupy a lot of space. You can remove old ones to free up disk space:

1. Open Disk Cleanup and select the system drive.
2. Click Clean up system files.
3. Go to the More Options tab.
4. Click Clean up under System Restore and Shadow Copies.

8. Advanced Tip: Use Command Line to Remove Update Files

If you prefer using the command line, here’s how to delete update files:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following commands:
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop bits
   del /f /s /q %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\*.*
   net start wuauserv
   net start bits

Conclusion

After a Windows update, freeing up disk space is essential to keep your system running smoothly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily clean up unnecessary files and recover valuable storage space. Always ensure that you back up your important data before performing any major cleanup, and consider enabling Storage Sense for ongoing maintenance.

For more tips on Windows performance optimization, visit the Microsoft Support page.