How do I check the storage space on my device?

Windows Devices

To check the storage being used on your device:

• Open Settings
• Select System on the left
• Select Storage

From here you will be able to see the total storage capabilities of your device, the amount of storage being used, and the remaining amount of storage.

MacOS Devices

To check the storage being used on your device:

• Open Settings
• Select General
• Select Storage

From here you will be able to see the total storage capabilities of your device, the amount of storage being used, and the remaining amount of storage.

How do I free up more storage space?

Windows Devices

Below are some options for freeing up space on a Windows device:

1. Emptying the Recycle Bin:
   • On your Desktop screen, right click on the Recycle Bin icon
   • Select "Empty Recycle Bin"
2. Clearing Downloads Folder:
   • Open File Explorer from the Task Bar or by searching
   • Select the "Downloads" folder and sort by file size
   • Now you can select any files you no longer need or want to have on the device, and then press the  icon at the top to move the files to your Recycle Bin
   • Now follow the steps from Option 1 to empty the Recycle Bin
3. Uninstalling Applications:
   • Press the  button on the task bar and select the Settings application (Alternatively select the search bar and type "Settings" then press enter)
   • On the left hand side, select "Apps" from the list of tabs
   • Select "Installed Apps"
   • If there is an application you would like to uninstall, press the three dots on the application, and select Uninstall
   • You will then be prompted to confirm uninstallation of the application
4. Storage Cleanup Recommendations:
   • Press the  button on the task bar and select the Settings application (Alternatively select the search bar and type "Settings" then press enter)
   • On the left hand side, select "System"
   • Scroll through the list and select "Storage"
   • Under the "Storage Management" header, select "Cleanup recommendations"
   • Now you will have access to drop down menus that show large/unused files and applications
   • If you would like to remove files or applications, select them in the drop down menu, and then press the "Clean Up" button
5. Store Files with OneDrive Files On-Demand:
   • With Files On-Demand, files can be stored solely on the cloud, saving space on your hard drive
   • To turn this on, press the cloud icon on the bottom right hand side of your task bar
   • Then in the top right hand corner of the menu that pops up, press the  icon, and select "Settings"
   • On the left hand side, select the "Sync and Backup" tab
   • Expand the "Advanced settings" menu, and toggle on Files On-Demand
   • Now you can right click on files and folders, and select "Always Keep on this Device" to keep it downloaded on your device, or "Free Up Space" to have it stored as an online version of the file in OneDrive

MacOS Devices

Below are some options for freeing up storage space on MacOS devices:

1. Emptying Trash
   • On the Dock at the bottom of the screen, select the trash icon
   • This will open a Finder window showing the contents of your Trash
   • If the files are alright to be deleted, select "Empty Trash" in the top right corner
2. Clearing Downloads Folder:
   • On the Dock at the bottom of the screen select Finder
   • Navigate to the Downloads folder and sort by file size
   • If you find a file you would like to get rid of, press the file once to highlight it, then while holding the Command key, press the Delete/Backspace key to send it to your trash
   • Follow the steps from Option 1 to empty the Trash, and fully remove the files
3. Uninstalling Applications:
   • Press Command + Space keys, then type "Settings" into the search bar that appears and press enter to open System Settings
   • Select "General" from the list on the left, and select "Storage", then "Applications"
   • To remove an application, select the name of the application, then press "Delete" on the bottom right
   • Follow the steps from Option 1 to empty the trash, and fully remove the files
4. Store Files with OneDrive Files On-Demand:
   • With Files On-Demand, files can be stored solely on the cloud, saving space on your hard drive
   • To turn this on, press the cloud icon on the top right side of your screen
   • Then in the top right hand corner of the menu that pops up, press the  icon, and select "Preferences"
   • Under Files On-Demand select "Download files as you use them"
   • Now you can right click on files and folders, and select "Always Keep on this Device" to keep it downloaded on your device, or "Free Up Space" to have it stored as an online version of the file in OneDrive