One of the most common issues faced in Windows Server environments is the C drive running out of space. When this happens, there's often not enough free space to install critical Windows updates, applications, and other necessary files.
If the C drive on your server becomes full, it can lead to several problems. Windows services may stop functioning properly, the server might reboot unexpectedly, or even crash. Additionally, if your disk usage is near capacity or completely full, you might lose the ability to access your VPS via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). In such cases, you can activate the Emergency Console to access your server through Console or VNC. You can find instructions on how to do this here.
To resolve this issue, the first step is to free up disk space on your server. This can be done by either reclaiming disk space or increasing the available space on the C drive. If you find that your server's current disk space is insufficient, upgrading to a larger server plan is a simple solution.
However, if your current plan's resources are adequate, reclaiming disk space is often the best approach. In this article, I'll show you how to free up disk space on your Windows Server.
Deleting Temporary Files
One of the easiest ways to start freeing up space on your Windows Server is by deleting temporary files.
Temporary files are those that your operating system only needed temporarily while in use but are now just taking up unnecessary space. These files are stored in the Windows Temp folder and can be deleted either manually or automatically. Below are some methods to delete them:
Go to Windows Settings:
Click on Storage:
- Then select This PC (C) and click on Temporary Files. The system will display the files ready to be deleted. Just select the groups you wish to remove and click on Remove Files.
Using Disk Cleanup
Another effective way to free up space is by using the Disk Cleanup tool:
Open Windows Explorer:
- Right-click on the C drive and select Properties.
Click on Disk Cleanup:
- You may also choose to compress this drive to save space.
- Then, check the boxes in front of the files you want to clean up and click OK. Confirm the operation to proceed.
Additional Methods
There are other ways to free up disk space on your Windows Server, such as uninstalling unused programs or deleting unnecessary files. The method you choose will depend on how much space you need to free up and your specific requirements.
