Only 8% free space on C: drive

Question

Only 8% free space on C: drive

Steve Millikan 20

Can I create unallocated space on D: drive and move it to C: ?

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Answer accepted by question author

David-M 126.5K Independent Advisor

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

Can I create unallocated space on D: drive and move it to C: ?

It depends on how the partitions are distributed on your disk.

To see if you'll be able to do this or to analyze possible alternatives, please share a screenshot of "Disk Management".

Press "Windows + X" and select "Disk Management";

Maximize the window and use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

Looking forward to your reply.

Steve Millikan 20 Reputation points

2026-06-24T16:46:07.6933333+00:00
David-M 126.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T18:23:26.42+00:00
Thanks for the screenshot.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer space from your D: drive to your C: drive.

As you can see in your Disk Management screenshot, Data (D:) is located on a completely separate physical drive (Disk 0) from your Windows (C:) drive (Disk 1). Windows cannot combine or move unallocated space across two different physical disks to extend a system partition.

However, looking at your storage, your D: drive has plenty of free space, while your C: drive is running critically low. Here are the best alternatives to solve your space issue:

1= Move your user folders (like Documents, Downloads, Pictures) to the D: drive.

To do this safely, follow these exact steps for each folder you want to move:

First, create the desired folder at the destination location (on your D: drive). You can name it whatever you like;

Go to the original location of the folder on your C: drive, right-click it, and select "Properties";

Select the "Location" tab;

Click "Move" and choose the destination folder you created earlier;

Click "OK", and when asked whether you want to move all files to the new location, click "Yes".

2 = Change where new content is saved:

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.

Change the location for new apps, documents, and music from C: to D:.

3 = Run Windows Disk Cleanup:

Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and hit Enter;

Select the C: drive, click OK, and then click on Clean up system files;

Check boxes like Temporary files and Delivery Optimization Files to free up immediate space.

Please let me know how it goes.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Steve Millikan 20 Reputation points

2026-06-27T15:42:06.9766667+00:00

David - Thanks so much for your help! I had previously moved all my documents, photos, and (I thought) music to D: drive. But I discovered that all my music was also in the iCloud folder. So I deleted those since I had other ways to get those to other devices. That brought me up to 14% free space, which makes me feel better.

Any other folder that I right-click (Programs, iCloud, OneDrive), I don't get the option to change Location.

I also changed the storage settings for new apps, documents, etc. (thanks for this help).

I have been running disk cleanup, optimization, and defragmentation pretty regularly.

I appreciate your help.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Steve Millikan 20 Reputation points

2026-06-24T16:46:07.6933333+00:00
David-M 126.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T18:23:26.42+00:00

Thanks for the screenshot.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer space from your D: drive to your C: drive.

As you can see in your Disk Management screenshot, Data (D:) is located on a completely separate physical drive (Disk 0) from your Windows (C:) drive (Disk 1). Windows cannot combine or move unallocated space across two different physical disks to extend a system partition.

However, looking at your storage, your D: drive has plenty of free space, while your C: drive is running critically low. Here are the best alternatives to solve your space issue:

1= Move your user folders (like Documents, Downloads, Pictures) to the D: drive.

To do this safely, follow these exact steps for each folder you want to move:

First, create the desired folder at the destination location (on your D: drive). You can name it whatever you like;

Go to the original location of the folder on your C: drive, right-click it, and select "Properties";

Select the "Location" tab;

Click "Move" and choose the destination folder you created earlier;

Click "OK", and when asked whether you want to move all files to the new location, click "Yes".

2 = Change where new content is saved:

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.

Change the location for new apps, documents, and music from C: to D:.

3 = Run Windows Disk Cleanup:

Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and hit Enter;

Select the C: drive, click OK, and then click on Clean up system files;

Check boxes like Temporary files and Delivery Optimization Files to free up immediate space.

Please let me know how it goes.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Steve Millikan 20 Reputation points

2026-06-27T15:42:06.9766667+00:00

David - Thanks so much for your help! I had previously moved all my documents, photos, and (I thought) music to D: drive. But I discovered that all my music was also in the iCloud folder. So I deleted those since I had other ways to get those to other devices. That brought me up to 14% free space, which makes me feel better.

Any other folder that I right-click (Programs, iCloud, OneDrive), I don't get the option to change Location.

I also changed the storage settings for new apps, documents, etc. (thanks for this help).

I have been running disk cleanup, optimization, and defragmentation pretty regularly.

I appreciate your help.

Answer 1

Steve Millikan 20

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Neil D 34,305 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-24T18:21:23.2566667+00:00

There is no available space of Disk 1 that has been used by the operating system. (120GB disk is quite small for windows to operate from)

What is currently on Disk 0, drive D: in File Explorer.

You may be able to move the content of the personal folders from C: to D: but more detail is needed for the best advise.