Free Tools to Clean Up Your Laptop Storage

If your laptop storage is also filling up faster than expected because of temporary files, browser caches, leftover app data, and forgotten downloads, then you are not alone.

It is worth noting that users do not always need costly software to clean up this clutter. Both Windows and macOS come with free tools and features that can help identify unnecessary files and free up storage space.

To help with that, we have listed and explained a few of those tools, such as BleachBit, Wise Disk Cleaner, and others, along with some inbuilt features that can help you clear your laptop storage space safely and effectively.

Why It Matters

Our laptops are filled with several important as well as unwanted files, and it is worth noting that a laptop might start lagging when there is barely any space left for new files or applications. Therefore, cleaning up unwanted files from time to time can free up storage and make it easier for users to keep track of what is actually taking up space on the laptop.

1. Windows Storage Sense + Disk Cleanup

Windows includes some useful free tools that can help free up a surprising amount of storage without installing anything.

Storage Sense works quietly in the background. It can automatically delete temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove old files from the Downloads folder. Users can turn it on and customise how often it runs by going to Settings, then System, and then Storage.

On Windows 11, there are also Cleanup recommendations in the same Storage settings page. It provides a list of files and apps that Windows suggests removing, making it easier to free up space with just a few clicks.

Important caution: Be careful with the Downloads folder option when setting up Storage Sense. If automatic cleanup is enabled for files that have not been opened for a certain number of days, important personal files could be permanently deleted. Only enable this option if there are no important files sitting in the Downloads folder.

Disk Cleanup is a more hands-on option. Search for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu, select the drive, and click Clean up system files. This can help remove old Windows Update files, temporary installation files, memory dumps, and other system junk that may be taking up several gigabytes.

2. macOS Storage

Mac users do not need to download anything extra to start freeing up storage. Apple already includes a simple storage management tool in the system settings that can help users see what is taking up space.

Go to Apple menu, then System Settings, then General, and then Storage. Here, users will see a visual breakdown of what is taking up space on the Mac, along with a few recommendations.

Users can:

• Empty the Trash automatically

• Store files in iCloud and keep only recent versions on the Mac

• Review and remove large files, apps, and attachments that are no longer needed

• Optimise storage by removing watched movies and TV shows from Apple TV

The interface is simple and shows how much storage each category is using. Users can select the recommendations and follow the prompts to free up storage space.

3. BleachBit

BleachBit is one of the best free, open-source cleaning tools available for Windows and Linux. It focuses on removing junk files while also helping protect user privacy.

It can clear temporary files, browser caches, cookies, logs, and leftover data from several applications. Unlike many other cleaning tools, BleachBit has no ads, no telemetry, or paid version pushing upgrades. It also comes with a secure wipe feature that can permanently erase sensitive files so they cannot be recovered.

Users can select what needs to be cleaned, review the list, and click Clean. It is especially useful for users who want more control over what gets deleted.

Note: An experimental macOS version is available, but it has limited features and is not recommended for general Mac users. Mac users should stick to the inbuilt macOS Storage tools instead.

4. Wise Disk Cleaner

Wise Disk Cleaner is a lightweight and focused free tool designed to help free up storage space on Windows laptops. It scans for temporary files, old Windows Update leftovers, log files, browser caches, and other common junk that can build up over time.

With this, users can run a quick scan, check what the tool has found, and delete the selected files with a single click. It also supports scheduled cleaning, allowing users to set it to run automatically at a suitable time.

Since the tool mainly focuses on cleaning unnecessary files, it remains fast and easy to use without adding too many extra features. Users may also be able to recover a decent amount of storage after already using Windows' inbuilt cleaning tools.

5. WinDirStat (or WizTree)

WinDirStat is a free disk space visualiser that shows exactly what is taking up space on a Windows laptop. Instead of simply deleting temporary files, it gives users a clear view of folders and files, along with their sizes.

This makes it easier to spot large video files, old project folders, game installations, or other data that regular cleaning tools may not find. Once the biggest files are identified, users can decide what needs to be deleted or moved to another drive.

WizTree is a faster alternative that works in a similar way and can scan drives very quickly, making it useful when checking large hard drives or SSDs.

Both tools are free, lightweight, and useful for finding out where the storage space has actually gone. They can be used after the cleaning tools mentioned above to find and remove large files that are still taking up space.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Next Steps

Start with the inbuilt Windows or macOS storage tools to remove unnecessary files. If more space is needed, use a trusted cleaning tool or disk space analyser to find and remove large files that are no longer required.

You can also check our guides on simple privacy settings on a laptop, laptop myths, laptop display terms, charging hacks and how to extend laptop lifespan by 2 to 3 years.

Disclaimer: It is advised to always review the files before deleting them, as removing important system or personal files can cause data loss or other issues. Use third-party cleaning tools carefully and download them only from trusted sources.