How to Reclaim Disk Space Following a Windows Update

Every month, Windows 10 and 11 receive updates, but this time there is a notable change. Microsoft has rolled out the latest feature update for Windows 11, known as version 24H2, which introduces a variety of new functionalities and modifications. However, you may quickly realize that the update consumes a significant amount of disk space, potentially leading to issues on lower-end systems with limited storage on the system drive.

To address this, we’ve put together a guide on how to free up space on the C drive following the installation of Windows 11 version 24H2 or similar substantial updates. Essentially, Windows retains the previous version for fallback purposes, which usually occupies over 20GB of space.

Freeing Up Space on Drive C After a Windows Update

Before you proceed, it’s crucial to note that clearing out the system drive after a major Windows update will eliminate your ability to revert back. Keep this in mind before you remove the previous Windows installation, as doing so means you won’t be able to roll back the update if you encounter significant issues; the only solution would then involve a clean installation of Windows.

Press Win + I to access Windows Settings.
Go to System > Storage and allow the system to scan for items on the C drive.
Select Temporary Files and wait as Windows analyzes what can be safely removed.
Check the boxes for “Previous Windows Installation(s)“and “Delivery Optimization Files.”Note: Currently, there seems to be a known issue where Windows 11 may not allow you to delete 8.6GB of data. If this persists after cleanup, it’s advisable to wait for a patch from Microsoft.
You may select more options, but be cautious not to remove anything from the Downloads folder inadvertently (this option is usually unchecked by default).
Click on “Remove files“and patiently wait as Windows completes the cleanup.

Alternative Way to Create Free Space on Drive C After Updating Windows

Windows 11 retains several legacy features, enabling users to utilize both modern and classic interfaces for certain tasks. This is true for the disk cleanup utility in Windows 11. If you prefer a more traditional approach, here’s how to clean up the C drive using the legacy interface:

Press Win + R and input cleanmgr. You can also open the Start menu and search for Disk Cleanup.
Select the C drive and click Ok.
Click on “Clean up system files.”This action prompts Windows to look for and delete any previous installations.
Once the scan is finished, check the box next to “Previous Windows installation(s).”
Click Ok and wait until the process has completed.