As a computer user, you are bound to notice that there is less and less free storage on the device. Naturally, if you are not careful, it will not take too long before the computer's drive only has a few free gigabytes of space.
Storage issues can snowball, and unless you solve them, the device will underperform. Sluggishness, crashes, FPS drops playing video games, media not playing properly, and overheating are some of the most notable problems that occur due to poor storage management on a computer.
The question is, what methods are there to free up the space, and what files should you focus on removing?
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Pay Attention to Temporary Storage
Temporary storage is tricky because it accumulates without computer users realizing what is happening. Or rather, temporary files are not noticeable, and you need to tinker with the system settings or use cleanup utility tools to get rid of them.
Whether it is errors telling you that you have a disk full of too much data or warning messages about the computer being unable to download files from the internet, taking care of the temporary storage should be one of the first steps to take.
Note That You Need to Delete Files Permanently
The files you no longer need on the computer should be deleted permanently. Some users do not realize that dragging data to the Recycle Bin is not the same as removing the files permanently.
No, to remove the data permanently, you also need to empty the Recycle Bin or Trash (depending on what operating system you are on) or use the necessary keyboard shortcuts when deleting files.
Keep an Eye on Downloads
The odds are that the downloads folder on your computer has quite a lot of files. If you have not checked the folder in a while, do so and remove files that you no longer need.
If you have a habit of forgetting about downloaded data, why not change the default location for downloaded files? You can set the computer's desktop as the default location. Doing so would let you notice downloaded files easier, which means that there is less of a chance for redundant data to clutter.
Avoid Installing Localization Files
Sometimes, the software you install on your computer comes with localization data. There is hardly any need to install localization packages when you are going to use the software only in English, right?
So, keep an eye on the installation windows whenever you plan to add new software to the computer. If there is a section to uncheck a box that asks whether you want to install localization files, make sure that the option is not enabled.
Transfer Files to External Storage
Figuring out ways to delete data from a computer does not always provide the best results. You might end up in a situation where removing data is no longer possible.
In such instances, it is worthwhile to consider an alternative approach—external storage. Instead of trying your best to delete all the files you can, why not transfer data to an HDD or a USB flash stick? These two storage accessories are relatively cheap, and they work as a means to solve computer storage problems. Not to mention an added bonus in backing up data.
Similar to external storage accessories, you can also consider cloud storage. Services like Dropbox and iCloud offer both free and paid plans, with the latter offering extra storage depending on how much money you pay.
Do a Malware Scan
Viruses that attack your computer might slowly make the system their home. And if that happens, it is possible that there is a kind of malware that affects the overall storage on the computer.
Be it corrupting data or creating endless amounts of files, such malware is not that easy to handle without proper antivirus software.
If you notice that the available computer drive's storage drops all of a sudden, suspect malware as a potential reason.
Avoid Media Files on the Computer
Right now, it does not make a lot of sense to clutter the computer with large media files when you have access to streaming platforms.
Music, movies, and TV shows that come in high quality also take a lot of disk space. It is more efficient and convenient to consume media on the streaming platform. You do not have to waste time downloading content. Simply choose what you want to watch or listen to and go for it.
Sure, streaming services cost money, but they have become the go-to option for many, and not just because streaming platforms help you save free storage on the computer. It is the modern way to consume media.
