Storage Sense

Winsage
February 19, 2025
Disk Cleanup, introduced in Windows 98, helps users reclaim disk space by removing system restore points, temporary files, and remnants from outdated Windows Updates. Windows Media Player, which debuted with Windows 3.0, remains available in Windows 11 and is used for playing DVDs and organizing music collections. The Control Panel has been part of Windows since 1985 and provides access to legacy tools, although Microsoft encourages users to use the modern Settings app. Character Map, introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992, allows users to access every glyph in installed fonts and is useful for inserting specialized characters. Notepad, a staple since 1983, has received updates including spell check and rich formatting options in Windows 11. The Snipping Tool, first introduced in Windows Vista in 2007, has evolved to include features like screen recording and OCR-powered text extraction. WinZip, a third-party compression tool that debuted in 1991, remains popular for managing ZIP files and continues to function on Windows 11.
Winsage
February 16, 2025
Windows is a dominant operating system known for its affordability and software compatibility, but users often face performance issues. To enhance performance on Windows 11, users can: 1. Restart the device weekly and ensure it is up-to-date to resolve bugs and improve security. 2. Disable unnecessary startup applications via Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager. 3. Use Task Manager to monitor and terminate resource-hungry applications. 4. Uninstall unnecessary pre-installed software using tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller. 5. Upgrade hardware by installing an SSD or adding RAM for better performance. 6. Regularly scan for malware using Windows Security to maintain system health. 7. Adjust power settings to "Best Performance" under Settings > System > Power & battery > Power Mode. 8. Free up disk space using built-in tools like Storage Sense or by manually deleting old files. 9. Disable unnecessary visual effects via Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects or Control Panel. 10. Pause OneDrive or other cloud storage services to reduce resource consumption during intensive tasks. 11. Disable File Explorer search indexing if frequent searches are not needed. 12. Use the system restore feature to revert to a previous state if performance issues persist.
Winsage
February 8, 2025
Windows includes various legacy utilities, with Disk Cleanup being a reliable tool for reclaiming storage space. Unlike the automated Storage Sense feature, Disk Cleanup allows manual operation to remove old Windows Update files. Users can access it via the Run dialog or Start menu, and it provides options to clear cache and the Recycle Bin. Disk Cleanup can also be scheduled to run automatically using Task Scheduler. It offers a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive view of removable items, making it more efficient than Storage Sense. There are concerns about the potential deprecation of Disk Cleanup, but it remains essential for managing storage on Windows 11.
Winsage
February 3, 2025
Windows 11's third-party application "Files" has been updated to version 3.9, introducing several enhancements: - The Update Files button has a new design with a vibrant icon for easier updates. - Icons and thumbnails are now DPI aware for clarity on all display types, and a Tags Widget allows for easy tagging by dragging files onto tags. - Users can rotate JPEG-XR images and set them as desktop or lock screen backgrounds directly from the application. - A new setting allows automatic focus on newly created tabs. - The Properties Window has been improved to browse for .icl files and modify the ‘compress contents’ attribute. - Individual launch protocols for each branch of Files have been implemented. - Performance improvements include immediate loading of breadcrumb flyouts and reduced load times for thumbnails. - Drag-and-drop functionality has been refined, allowing background operation when dragging items to other applications. - Files now supports .gz archives as the default for compressed files, with updates to 7zip dependencies. - Users can toggle columns in Details View settings, with changes reflecting across all tabs. - The Home Page has been streamlined for a cleaner appearance. - Keyboard navigation enhancements allow opening breadcrumb flyouts with Space and Enter keys. - The Windows Taskbar no longer displays the number of open tabs. - Support for Lucid Link v3 has been added for cloud drive capabilities. Fixes in version 3.9 include resolving crashes, improving keyboard navigation, fixing issues with drag-and-drop support, and addressing various problems with cloud drives, columns view, and tags.
Winsage
December 20, 2024
Maintaining a tidy digital environment is essential for optimizing the performance of a Windows PC. Regular decluttering frees up storage space and enhances overall efficiency. 1. Check Memory Utilization: Access Settings (Win+I) > System > Memory to view memory usage, including temporary files and installed applications. The "Other" category shows large folders for potential deletion, and you can uninstall unnecessary programs under Apps > Installed apps. Temporary files can be removed under System > Storage > Temporary files. 2. Windows 11 Cleanup Functions: Go to System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations to find storage space occupied by downloads, the recycle bin, and Previous Windows installations. Select areas to clean and click the cleanup button. 3. Free Up Storage Space: Enable Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage to automate cleanup processes, customizing frequency and recycle bin retention. 4. Relocate Standard Storage Locations: In System > Storage > Advanced storage settings, designate alternative drives for new content to keep the primary drive uncluttered. 5. Change Storage Location for Apps: Specify a different drive when installing new applications. For Microsoft Store apps, go to Apps > Installed apps and select Move. 6. Clean Up Discs: Use the Disk Cleanup tool (cleanmgr) to delete unnecessary files. The Clean up system files option reveals additional files for removal. 7. Delete Browser Data: Clear browser cache as needed to improve performance, managing data through browser settings. 8. Optimize Autostart: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to disable unnecessary startup programs. Tools like Autoruns can help manage autostart entries for efficient booting. Additional software options like Bleachbit and Ccleaner can provide deeper insights for system maintenance.
Winsage
December 10, 2024
Many Windows PC users face storage space issues due to the accumulation of games, photos, movies, and applications. To manage files, users can utilize default folders like Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos, or create their own organizational structure. To delete files, navigate to Windows Settings > System > Storage to identify and remove unwanted files. Users can also sort files by size in File Explorer and permanently delete items from the Recycle Bin. Storage Sense is a built-in feature that automatically cleans up temporary files and items in the Recycle Bin when disk space is low. Users can customize its operation frequency. The Cleanup recommendations feature provides tailored suggestions for freeing up storage, including the removal of temporary and large files. Applications can take up significant storage; users can find unused apps in the Cleanup recommendations section or by checking Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Uninstallation can be done through the three dots next to an app or by managing games on platforms like Steam.
Winsage
November 29, 2024
Microsoft acknowledged several issues impacting Windows 11, version 24H2, particularly affecting Ubisoft gamers. Blender 4.2 LTS has been released on the Microsoft Store, featuring enhancements such as the latest EEVEE render engine. Files, an alternative to File Explorer, has introduced a new version with features like tag management from the sidebar, a direct link to Storage Sense, support for alternate data streams, and a path-copying option for the current tab. Notepad++ has updated to include the ability to pin tabs, improving workspace organization by keeping pinned tabs before regular tabs.
Winsage
October 3, 2024
Many users experience "storage full" notifications and difficulties saving new files due to limited disk space, which can negatively impact overall computer performance. Indicators that a PC needs storage optimization include red-marked bars in File Explorer, inability to run multiple programs smoothly, lag in file openings, and difficulties installing updates. To free up disk space, users can utilize the built-in Disk Cleanup feature, delete duplicate files using tools like Duplicate Photos Fixer Pro, uninstall unused applications through the Control Panel, clean the Downloads folder, enable Storage Sense for automatic cleanup, move files to cloud storage, use an external hard drive for larger files, and shut down unnecessary background processes via Task Manager. Regular maintenance is essential for optimal performance.
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