Microsoft released its first major Windows 10 update last week, and this comes with lots of shiny new features and general improvements including cosmetic changes, Edge enhancements, and new (and better) apps. As all Windows 10 updates are mandatory, if you’re using the new OS you’ll likely have the update installed and be running the latest build (10586) already.
The November Update (Threshold 2 as it was codenamed) is pretty sizable and takes a while to download and install. Once the installation process has completed you might reasonably expect the new OS to clean up after itself and delete old files, but actually it doesn’t, meaning you can free up a large chunk of hard drive space by running a manual clean up yourself. And when I say a "large chunk" I mean it. Cleaning up after the November Update will give you back at least 24GB of hard drive space, so it’s well worth doing.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft releases first major update for Windows 10 -- here's what's new (and better)
The process is very straightforward. Click Start and type Disk Cleanup. Launch the Disk Clean-up app, make sure your system drive is selected, and click OK.
The tool will calculate how much space can be regained. Ignore this for now and instead click on the Clean up system files button. Select your system drive once more, and click the OK button again.
The tool will recalculate your space savings, but this time include a new option -- Previous Windows installation(s). This will include the 20GB+ created by installing the November Update. Check that box, and the Temporary Windows installation files one as well (which will save you another 4GB) and click OK to remove those backed up files and regain your missing hard drive space.
Be warned, these files are used to roll back your system to a previous installation of Windows and removing them takes away that option. If, however, you intend to stick with Windows 10, they serve little use and so can be cleared out without problem.
SEE ALSO: How to download Windows 10 with the November Update and create your own installation media
Photo credit: Sakhal / Shutterstock
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