Reclaim Your Space! Fixing Windows 10/11 Storage Issues and Errors

Are you frustrated with the “Full Storage” message popping up on your Windows 11 device, even when you have plenty of storage space available? You’re not alone! Many Windows 10 or 11 users have reported this issue, which can be annoying and disrupt your workflow.

In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of the “Full Storage” message and provide step-by-step solutions to fix the issue.

What Causes the “Full Storage” Message?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s quickly discuss what might be causing the “Full Storage” message:

• Temporary files and system cache: Temporary files and system cache can take up a significant amount of storage space, triggering the “Full Storage” message.
• System updates and logs: System updates and logs can also consume storage space, leading to the “Full Storage” message.
• Corrupted system files: Corrupted system files can cause the “Full Storage” message to appear, even if you have plenty of storage space available.
• Disk space calculation issues: In some cases, Windows 11 may miscalculate the available disk space, leading to the “Full Storage” message.

Solutions to Fix the “Full Storage” Message

Now that we’ve discussed the possible causes, let’s move on to the solutions:

1. Delete Temporary Files and System Cache

2. Disable System Updates and Logs

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Scroll down and find the Windows Update service.
4. Right-click on it and select Properties.
5. Set the Startup type to Disabled.
6. Click Stop to stop the service.
7. Click OK to save the changes.

3. Run the Disk Cleanup Tool

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cleanmgr and press Enter.
3. Select the drive you want to clean up (usually C:).
4. Click OK.
5. Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete.
6. Click OK to delete the files.

4. Run the System File Checker Tool

1. Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete.
4. If any corrupted files are found, follow the prompts to repair them.

5. Check for Disk Space Calculation Issues

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.
3. Check if there are any disk space calculation issues.
4. If you find any issues, right-click on the drive and select Properties.
5. Click on the Tools tab.
6. Click on Check to check for errors.

Conclusion

The “Full Storage” message on Windows 11 can be frustrating, but fortunately, it’s usually easy to fix. By following the solutions outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and free up storage space on your device.

Remember to regularly clean up temporary files and system cache, disable system updates and logs, run the disk cleanup tool, run the system file checker tool, and check for disk space calculation issues to prevent the “Full Storage” message from appearing again.

Resources:

• Microsoft Support: Free up space on your Windows 11 device
• Microsoft Support: System File Checker (SFC) scan and DISM command