It can be quite frustrating to get a notification that your device does not have any more storage capacity. Storage on your device or online is as simple as the storage you have in your home. If it is unorganized, it will create a mess, and make it seem as though you do not have enough space for your other belongings, in this case, files and apps. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can follow to get more storage space.

Whether you are using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, these different tips can work for you. If you ever encounter a storage problem on your device, go through these six amazing tips and you will surely find solutions for your issues. Before going through these, it is important to note that each device may have different steps needed to follow. Luckily, all devices practically have similar techniques that you can utilize to have amazing storage space.

1. Analyse device for gigantic files

If you have had your device for some time, and it is acting up because of the number of files you have on it, you should consider checking it for gigantic files that are unnecessary. If you are using a PC, you can easily find any large files on your device by heading to file explorer and writing “size” in the search bar. You can then check the option of filtering files according to size. You can pick from small to bigger files that are more than four gigabytes of storage.

Finding out what takes up so much space in your storage can help you identify which files you need to get rid of to make appropriate space on your device. This analysis is crucial no matter what device you are working on. It also works on your smartphone, but you might find the option to check how much storage is taken up by each app and file in the storage settings, or phone manager.

2. Get cloud storage

After you analyse your storage, you might reach the conclusion that you simply cannot get rid of any of your files or programs. If this is the case, it might be time to look into online storage for the files you cannot go without. Cloud storage has been around for quite some time and it is an amazing way to keep files that you do not have space for on your device safe.

Different companies provide cloud storage, including Google which provides free online storage in the form of Google Drive, Apple, which provides iCloud to Apple users as well as other companies such as Dropbox which offers the online storage cloud aptly named Dropbox. Usually, cloud storage is free for the first couple of gigabytes, then if you need extra storage you will have to purchase an extension.

3. Clean your drive

You might have moved all of your cramped folders and documents from your device, but they are still taking up a significant amount of space from your drive. Even if you do move them online, there might be files that you do not need, including duplicates, app launchers, and extensions. If you want to clean up your hard drive and you have Windows 10 as a processor, then you can simply search for Disk Clean-up and in a matter of minutes get rid of all the unnecessary files found on your Drive: C.

If you are nearing the maximum capacity for storage in your free online drive account, then the folks behind Clean Drive suggest using an online drive scanning program that helps you pinpoint extra files and unnecessary duplicates. This will clean your online drive from all the temporary and duplicated files which will result in not having to purchase more space.

4. Leave minimal desktop storage

Even if you have overall space in your hard drive, you might still encounter issues in processing. This is probably because you save most of your files and documents directly on your desktop. You might not be aware of this, but the number of files you have on your desktop can affect the overall performance of your device.

If your desktop looks like a maze of scattered files and folders that no one can navigate, then it is time to clean up your desktop and find other places to store this mess. Not only will having a minimalistic desktop rest your eyes and lessen the number of stimuli you are exposed to when you first turn on your device, but it will also make your device’s performance more efficient than ever before.

5. Factory data reset

Sometimes, you might not have the time to go through each file to find out which ones to keep and which to delete.

If all of your important files are already backed up, then you can simply go to your settings and get a factory data reset. This ensures that your device, whether it is a smartphone, tablet or PC is back to its original glory. When resetting your device, you are basically erasing all the data, including files, apps, and programs other than the ones preinstalled by the company itself. This is the easiest and fastest way to get rid of everything in one fell swoop.

6. Routinely maintain device storage

To avoid any storage issues cropping up in the future, it is best to constantly keep an eye out and work on reducing the amount of storage taken up. This can be done by routinely checking for and deleting any repeated files and deleting duplicated or blurry media that can take up double the space. Having a scheduled check can help you in the long run, because you will not suddenly find yourself with no space whatsoever and having to rush through different folders trying to find what you need to delete.

Using these six different tips can make a world of difference when it comes to having a good amount of storage for your different files. With the rise of online backups, you do not have to worry much about finding yourself without any storage space. However, this does not change the fact that you should try to keep your device’s storage well-kept and organized.