Traditionally, when a PC saved a large file to the hard drive, it would break it into smaller pieces and store them across several locations. Read our detailed guide on how to free up disk space if you suspect this is a problem. Whether it's demands from Windows for more space to update or a steady accumulation of apps and files, even the largest hard drives can fill up pretty quickly if left unattended. Free up some disk spaceĪ laptop with no room to breath is unlikely to be performing at its best. This includes web browsers, applications, drivers for devices such as printers and, most importantly, Windows itself, as Microsoft issues regular updates to plug security holes or fix glitches in the operating system. Make sure all your software is up to date.