Received pop up about storage space full.

[mozartbach1971]

I was working on my Windows 10 laptop and I received a pop up in the bottom right corner, I think it said something about storage space being full or almost full and I think it asked me to click on a link. I didn't do this as I'm not sure what would happen. I don't want to ruin any programs that I need.  Do I need to free up space on my laptop? If so how can I do this and make sure I don't delete anything I need?

[1786davycrockett]

@mozartbach1971 

Don't open up any links that you don't recognize -- and be even more careful about those that you even THINK that you recognize.

If you are in doubt about  ANYTHING on your Windows 10 laptop, take it to an official vendor for a check-up.  You can also take it to nearly any Best Buy for an examination, which usually will cost you NOTHING.

Way too many systems are becoming too vulnerable to hacking lately -- and it's getting worse.

Don't become another statistic -- when in doubt, take it to an expert.

And, if you're not an expert, don't second-guess.

[mozartbach1971]

OK, I'll make sure to not to click on any of these links. Is there a way to check if my storage space is in fact full?

[1786davycrockett]

@mozartbach1971 

As I stated previously -- take it to your Windows vendor, or Best Buy.  They can check that information for you, or show you how to find it on your own.

That information may also be found under "System Settings" on your laptop, which you may find at the top or bottom of your laptop screen.

[roccotacodad54]

   I have 4? external hardrives just for storage and backup. They are cheap nowdays and plug into a usb port on your main computer when needed.

   Storage problem solved for me. Another benefit is that if my Operating System somehow crashes etc. I have all my pictures, music and downloaded software installation exes stored externally and safe.

   My desktop has tons of disc space available because I only use it temporarily before I either delete whatever or move it to one of my externals......................

[mozartbach1971]

I went to my setting system storage and I think it said something like 137 MB free. Do you know what this means?

[ebooksdiva]

That means that is what you have left in your storage 137 mb is not a lot of space.

I also have 4 external hard drives that holds my labels, pictures and all of the audiobooks I sell and anything else I don’t want to lose because my PC or laptop doesn’t have enough storage. 

[mozartbach1971]

In case I run into any problems can anyone show me how to delete items to free up space without deleting anything that is necessary?

[roccotacodad54]

   I'm not sure how to do it on a laptop withot a mouse. With a mouse you just right click on item and choose delete from options that appear. Then left click the delete opton and it's deleted. After done deleting files, empty trash and done..................

[mozartbach1971]

Right now it says there is around 3.7 GB free is this a sufficient amount?

[wastingtime101]

That's hardly anything @mozartbach1971 . You're going to keep running into this problem. As others suggested, get an external hard drive and transfer all of your large-data items like images.

[mozartbach1971]

I don't know anything about external hard drives.  Are there any videos out there that can show me how to do this?

[wastingtime101]

It's pretty much plug and play. Go to any store (target, best buy, etc) and the person in that department can help.

In short:

Plug in the hard drive. Go through the set up (password, registration, etc).

Then drag and drop files from your computer to the external drive, just like you'd move them from one folder on your computer to another.

Once the files are on your external drive you can delete them from your computer and free up space.

Generally speaking, your computer probably needs a major clean up which can also free up space, but from what I know about your computer knowledge from past posts, I suggest getting the help of someone else rather than tackling that on your own. If you don't want to do that, then the external hard drive is the easy option.

Just make sure you "eject" the drive on your system before you physically unplug.

[mozartbach1971]

You're right I think I would need to get help on this. So I guess that pop up was correct and I should have clicked on it?

[wastingtime101]

If you clicked on it there probably would have been prompts with various ways to delete files or clean up your system and if you don't know what you're doing then you shouldn't click on the suggestions offered. Clicking on the popup itself wouldn't have mattered.

You know what you need to know which is that your hard drive is near capacity.

That can affect things like having enough storage space to process software updates, not to mention adding new files.

The external hard drive is the easy solution and one you can manage without help. If you want to go beyond that you should definitely get help.