Checklist for Low C Drive Space

When C runs low, follow the list for fastest relief:

1. Updates: Pause Windows Update, clear SoftwareDistribution\Download, then restart services.
2. Temp: %TEMP%, C:\Windows\Temp, and app temp folders.
3. Browser/WeChat/IM caches: clear in their settings.
4. Downloads: sort by size; move or delete old zips, ISOs, and recordings.
5. Game/video leftovers: Steam DepotCache, recordings, and editing intermediates.
6. VMs/containers: VirtualBox/VMware images, Docker images on C?
7. Recycle Bin: empty last.
8. Recheck: reboot and look at the drive color; if still red, review pagefile/hibernation settings.

Pin this checklist to the desktop and reuse it next time.

Three quick questions

• Who uses these files?
• Can I move instead of delete?
• Is there a backup after deletion?

Wrap-up

Keep the list in notes—when the red bar appears, read it out and act twice as fast.

Outside the list

AV quarantine and cloud offline caches can be huge; open their clients to verify.

Small trick

Turn the list into a script that prints “done” after each step—like checking boxes, preventing omissions.

Further reading

• Comprehensive C Drive Cleanup Guide
• Guide to Finding and Handling Large Files on C
• C Drive Cache and Temp Cleanup Guide
• Choosing C Drive Cleanup Software
• Common C Drive Cleanup Errors and Fixes