C drive is full and D is empty

Question

C drive is full and D is empty

chris kruse 20

My C drive is almost full and my D drive is empty can I transfer files from C to D if so How and which ones?

Thank you

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

Yes, files can be moved from C: to D: to free up space, but only personal data (documents, pictures, videos, music, downloads, etc.), not Windows or program files.

Steps to move personal files from C: to D: in Windows 11/10:

Open File Explorer from the taskbar.
In the left pane, select This PC.
Under This PC, open folders on C: that hold large personal files, such as:
- Downloads
- Pictures
- Videos
- Music
- Documents
To see which files are largest:
- Go into a folder (for example, Downloads).
- Select the View tab and choose Details.
- Right‑click in the empty space, select Sort by > Size so the biggest files appear at the top.
Select files or folders to move (for example, old videos or installers you want to keep but don’t need on C:).
In the left pane, select your D: drive to confirm it’s empty/available.
With the files selected on C:, on the Home tab choose Move to > Choose location…, select D:, then select Move.
- Alternatively, drag the selected files from C: and drop them onto D: in the left pane (this moves them by default when dragging between drives).
After confirming everything is on D:, empty the Recycle Bin to actually free space on C:.

Files that are safe to move:

Personal data: documents, photos, videos, music, project folders, archives (ZIP/RAR), downloaded installers.
Large rarely used files (e.g., old backups, ISO images) that don’t need to stay on C:.

Files that should not be moved:

Windows folders (like C:\Windows, C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files (x86)).
Program installation folders.
System folders or anything you don’t recognize.

Additional ways to manage space on C:

Use Storage Sense (system drive only):
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Turn Storage Sense to On so Windows can automatically delete temporary files and old Recycle Bin contents when space is low.
Save new files directly to D:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
- For categories like New documents, New photos and videos, etc., change the target drive from C: to D:.
- This prevents C: from filling up again.
Move infrequently used files to external storage (optional):
- Connect a USB drive or external hard drive.
- Use File Explorer to move large, rarely used files off the PC entirely, as described above.

These steps free space on C: while keeping personal data safe on D:.

References:

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Answer 1

If you are a OneDrive user, the OneDrive folder will remain your default Save location for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures files unless you turn off folder backup in the Manage Backup settings.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/back-up-your-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057

If you want to use OneDrive while keeping local copies of your cloud files, I suggest moving your OneDrive folder to the D: drive.

Change the location of your OneDrive folder: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-the-location-of-your-onedrive-folder-f386fb81-1461-40a7-be2c-712676b2c4ae

How to free up space in OneDrive with Files On-Demand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzIA9uykIhE&t=43s