How do check and delete the files on my pc that takes the most storage.

Effective Strategies for Identifying and Managing Large Files and Applications on Your PC

In today’s digital age, managing storage space efficiently is essential to maintaining optimal computer performance. Many users encounter situations where their system indicates a significant amount of installed applications or data, yet they are unable to locate specific files or programs occupying the most space. If you’ve noticed that your PC reports, for example, 372 GB of installed apps, but upon inspection, no individual application exceeds 2 GB in size, you might be wondering how to identify and remove these large, space-consuming files.

This guide provides practical methods for locating large files and applications, understanding where your storage is being utilized, and safely freeing up disk space.

Understanding Storage Reporting Discrepancies

Modern operating systems like Windows often present a summarized view of storage usage. The “System > Storage” section may aggregate data into categories such as applications, system files, temporary data, and more. Sometimes, the total reported size includes system restore points, virtual memory files, hidden system files, or cached data, which can lead to discrepancies when inspecting installed applications directly.

How to Locate Large Files and Applications

1. Use Built-in Storage Analysis Tools

Most operating systems include utilities to analyze disk space:

Windows Storage Settings:
Navigate to Settings > System > Storage.
Use the Free up space now feature or view detailed storage usage.
Click on categories like Apps & features or Temporary files for more details.
Storage Sense:
Enable Storage Sense to automate cleanup processes and receive recommendations on large files.

2. Employ Disk Cleanup and Analysis Utilities

Disk Cleanup:
Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and select the drive you wish to analyze.
Review and select files to delete, including system files, temporary files, and previous Windows installations.
Third-party Tools:
Consider using specialized applications such as WinDirStat, TreeSize, or SpaceSniffer.
These tools provide visual representations of disk usage, allowing you to quickly identify large files and folders.