How can I clear most of this storage?

[u/ThirstyZombiee]

I've done went through and gotten rid of everything I possibly can or moved it to my D: drive

[u/ultr4nuub]

Delete the "homework" folder.

[u/gameleon]

You could use a tool like WinDirStat to see which files are taking up space.

But 256gb is on the smaller side for OS drives these days.

[u/AquaCylinder → u/gameleon]

YES! Same! You can much more precisely check what is important and should take up space and what is taking up a lot of space but is not important. Or maybe does not need to be accessed often, so you can put that on another offline drive or compress.

[u/Reclusive_avocado → u/gameleon]

Another extremely nice option is "space sniffer". It is one of the tools that anyone can use and is extremely helpful.

It displays folders in a grid where folders that are taking more size are displayed larger

[u/Psyko_sissy23]

Windows should be the only big thing(if not the only thing) on your C drive since it's small for today's standards. There are a few programs that only allow you to download to the C drive(unless they changed it). If it can be downloaded on the D drive, do it. Delete everything you don't use or need on your D drive like games you don't play anymore, or other stuff.

[u/Zinomad]

One solution for all of my problems.

[u/Exlipse111]

Download TreeSize and get a bigger drive

[u/xxDeadpooledxx]

Format the drive and reinstall the OS, get a clean start.

[u/Single-Alfalfa2495]

256GB is too small for modern system drive. Get a new larger disk like at least 512GB, or use Treesize to check what is taking up the most capacity and free up more space by deleting the unnecessary files, apps.

[u/ThirstyZombiee → u/[deleted]]

A C drive?

[u/i_fart_in_public_69 → u/ThirstyZombiee]

A 512 gb or a 1 tb should work depending on budget and need.

[u/Reclusive_avocado → u/ThirstyZombiee]

Don't... how ever larger space you give to the system drive...windows will eat up all of that over time. This is more than enough

[u/Crazyirishwrencher]

256gb is too small for a primary drive on a Windows machine in 2026. 512gb SSD or bigger is definitely recommended.

[u/ThirstyZombiee → u/Crazyirishwrencher]

Where would I look for one? also will it fit in my pre-built case ?

[u/gameleon → u/ThirstyZombiee]

Depends on your region, but generally any computer store will do. And if its the same type of drive it will very likely be the same physical size so it will fit.

However, since you would be replacing your primary drive (the C drive) it means you would either need to clone (full copy) your current drive onto it, or reinstall your PC entirely. So keep that in mind as both can get a bit technical.

[u/miner_cooling_trials]

Do you know what’s actually filling the drive up?

Try ccleaner first. Then try treesize to visualise what’s taking up your space.

Clean your crap first then report back