I'm using Windows 11, and I recently deleted several games that should free up around 70 GB of space. I used the storage menu in the Windows settings to delete them, and they're not in the recycle bin (which I've emptied multiple times). Even after restarting my computer and running a disk defragmentation, I don't see any change in my disk space. Can anyone suggest what I should try next or what's causing this issue?
4 Answers
If all else fails, consider backing up your important data externally, wiping the drive, and reinstalling Windows. It's more extreme, but it can clear out all the useless files that can accumulate over time. Let me know if you need help with the process!
You could try downloading SpaceSniffer. It's a handy tool that will visualize what is taking up your disk space. Once you see what's consuming it, you can take more targeted actions to clear it out. Give that a shot!
Just a heads up—if you have multiple drives, make sure you're checking the right one! Sometimes when we think we've deleted files, they might be taking up space on a different drive. Also, don't forget to check for any leftover files from the games you uninstalled. They can sometimes linger.
It sounds like you might not have uninstalled the games properly. When you say you deleted them through the storage menu, did you actually uninstall them? Sometimes, you might just be removing shortcuts instead. If you want to free up space, make sure to uninstall them completely using their uninstallers, especially if they're from platforms like Steam or similar.
So, if I back up everything to another disk, I can wipe my drive and then put everything back? Is that safe?