Table of Contents
- Why Are Windows Apps & Features Consuming Excessive Storage? Proven Solutions for a Smoother PC Experience
- Why “Apps & Features” Takes Up So Much Space
- Step-by-Step Solutions to Reclaim Storage
- Step 1: Identify What’s Using Disk Space
- Step 2: Uninstall Unnecessary or Large Apps
- Step 3: Use Disk Cleanup to Remove Junk Files
- Preventing Future Storage Issues
- Solution 1: Regularly Clear App Cache and Temporary Files
- Solution 2: Move Large Apps to Another Drive or Cloud Storage
- Solution 3: Change Default Installation Location for New Apps
- Solution 4: Repair or Reset Problematic Apps
- Solution 5: Extend the Storage Drive
- Solution 6: Upgrade to a Larger Hard Drive
Why Are Windows Apps & Features Consuming Excessive Storage? Proven Solutions for a Smoother PC Experience
Windows 10 and 11 users often notice that the “Apps & features” section in Storage settings reports much higher storage usage than expected. This can lead to frustration, especially when disk space runs low. Understanding the causes and applying targeted fixes can help reclaim space and prevent future issues.
Why “Apps & Features” Takes Up So Much Space
- Multiple Large Applications Installed: Having many resource-intensive apps, such as design or video editing software, quickly fills up storage.
- Accumulated Cache and Temporary Files: Apps generate cache and temp data over time, which can bloat storage usage if not cleaned regularly.
- Storage Settings Bug: Sometimes, Windows misreports storage usage due to known glitches in the Storage settings interface.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Reclaim Storage
Step 1: Identify What’s Using Disk Space
Open Storage Settings to review space usage, but note that the breakdown may not always reflect actual app sizes due to hidden app data and cache.
Step 2: Uninstall Unnecessary or Large Apps
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to System > Storage > Apps & features.
- Sort apps by size to find the largest ones.
- Select and uninstall apps that are no longer needed.
Step 3: Use Disk Cleanup to Remove Junk Files
- Type “cleanup” in the Windows search bar and select Disk Cleanup.
- Choose the drive (usually C:) and let the tool scan for unnecessary files.
- Check boxes for items like temporary files and system cache, then click OK and confirm deletion.
Preventing Future Storage Issues
Solution 1: Regularly Clear App Cache and Temporary Files
- Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
- Delete all files in the folder to remove temporary data.
- Alternatively, use Disk Cleanup for a broader sweep.
Solution 2: Move Large Apps to Another Drive or Cloud Storage
Transfer apps or their data to an external drive or cloud service to free up local disk space.
Solution 3: Change Default Installation Location for New Apps
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Click “Change where new content is saved.”
- Set a different drive for new app installations to prevent overloading the C: drive.
Solution 4: Repair or Reset Problematic Apps
- Right-click the Start icon, select Apps & Features.
- Click Advanced options for the app, then choose Repair or Reset to clear excessive app data.
Solution 5: Extend the Storage Drive
Use disk management tools to allocate more space to the drive where apps are installed, if possible.
Solution 6: Upgrade to a Larger Hard Drive
If persistent storage shortages occur, consider installing a higher-capacity drive for long-term relief.
These strategies help maintain a responsive and efficient Windows system, reducing frustration from storage-related slowdowns.