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Windows desktop: Managing storage

This short guide is a reference tool to help refresh your knowledge or practise what you have learned in the Windows desktop: Managing storage online video course, including how to:

  • turn on Storage Sense
  • delete or recover files using the Recycle Bin
  • safely use a USB drive to transfer files.

Before you begin

Make sure your computer is:

  • plugged into mains power, switched on and showing the desktop
  • properly connected to a mouse and keyboard, and your home Wi-Fi
  • running the latest version of its operating software. If your computer is not running Windows 11, some of the steps may look different but you can still follow along.
Storage

Storage Sense helps you manage space automatically

Storage Sense is a tool that checks your computer’s hard drive and helps free up space by deleting unwanted files.

To turn on Storage Sense:

  1. Click on the Start button to open the Start menu.
  2. Find the Windows Settings icon and click on it. It looks like a cog wheel.
  3. From the Windows Settings panel, click on System to see some options on the right.
  4. Click on Storage, then click the switch next to Storage Sense to turn it on.

Storage Sense will monitor space in the background and alert you when your hard drive is nearly full.

Don’t download any app that offers to clean up or optimise your computer for you. It will almost always contain a scam that makes your computer less safe to use.

How to delete a file from the desktop

You can remove files that you’ve placed on the desktop.

  1. Click on the file once to highlight it.
  2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard. The item will disappear and move to the Recycle Bin.
  3. The file will remain in the Bin until it’s permanently deleted.

How to recover a deleted file using the Recycle Bin

Deleted items aren’t removed right away, so you can get them back from the Recycle Bin.

  1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
  2. Right-click the item you want to restore, then click Restore.
  3. The item will reappear in the place you deleted it from.
  4. To permanently delete everything in the Recycle Bin, right-click the icon and select Empty Recycle Bin.

How to copy a file to a USB storage device

You can move items from your computer onto a USB storage device, or USB drive, to help you save space on your computer:

  1. Plug the USB drive into your computer.
  2. Open File Explorer and select This PC to see your devices and drives.
  3. Find the USB drive in the list and click on it so that its contents display in the File Explorer panel.
  4. Drag and drop a file or folder onto the USB drive in File Explorer.
  5. This copies the item to the USB drive. The original will still be on your computer.
  6. You can now delete the original to free up space.

How to safely remove a USB storage device

When you’ve finished copying files, it’s important not to unplug the USB storage device right away, or files might be damaged:

  1. In the bottom right of your screen, click the USB icon or the small arrow to see a pop-up menu.
  2. Click on Eject Flash Disk.
  3. Wait for the Safe to remove message before unplugging the USB drive.
To help avoid viruses, only use a USB storage device that’s brand new or hasn’t been shared with anyone else.
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