Short answer
Scan the drive that is low on space. Open Results and start with the largest items. Use Scan All only when you do not know which drive is responsible.
Narrow the list, open a file's folder, and find out what owns it before acting. Name search shows the first 2,000 matches and reports the full count, so make a broad search more specific.
When to use this method
Use this method when you know which drive is low on space but not which local items are responsible.
Before you start
Connect the drive, close every app that is writing large files and note its current free space. Keep a backup of anything you cannot replace. A candidate is only an item worth reviewing. Its size, age or category does not mean it is safe to delete.
Search limits and deletion safety What the filters show and why every large item still needs review.
- How it works
- The app can show large, old, video, game and archive candidates or search names. Name search displays the first 2,000 matches while reporting the real total separately.
- Important limit
- A large item can be active application data, a virtual machine, mail archive, backup or game. Size does not make it safe to remove.
Find one large item and check it
Scan the right drive
Choose the drive that is low on space. Use Scan All only when you are unsure. You should see Results after the scan finishes.
Open the largest results
Open Results and use the size-ranked tree or table. Use a category filter, Search scanned names, or the Minimum size field with its MB unit to narrow the list.
Open the item's folder
Open the location and check the folder name, owning application, date, and backup. You should know what created or uses the item before changing it.
Make one recoverable change
Use the owning app's uninstaller or move command when available. Otherwise use a verified move or the Recycle Bin. Scan again and check the space change.
Match the view to the storage question
Choose the view that narrows the list without hiding the reported total.
Scroll the table horizontally on a narrow screen.
| Need | Use | Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Largest items overall | Size-ranked result tree | Path, owner, modification date and active use |
| Old large content | Large and old filter | Items at least 1 GiB and at least 90 days old are review candidates; verify need, archive location and backup |
| Videos or archives | Matching flat filter | Copies, source files and project dependencies |
| Games | Game filter | Launcher or uninstaller removal path |
| Known name | Search by name | Narrow broad queries |
| Routine cache or temporary data | Free Space Now | Allowlisted target summary before cleanup |
Deletion risks
- Deleting by size alone
- Permanently removing an item without a verified backup
- Using optional online search with a private full path
- Assuming the first 2,000 displayed name matches are the complete match set
Checkpoint: Storage action checks
- The item owner and purpose are known.
- The chosen action uses Recycle Bin or another reversible method.
- A rescan confirms the intended space changed.
- When the total exceeds 2,000 matches, narrow the search and distinguish the displayed list from the full count.
Osenpa Disk Analyzer
Find large storage candidates locally, review their context and use cleanup steps that stop when a safety check fails.