Low disk space is a signal, not a personality flaw
Capacity planning · Windows
Start with honest measurement: WizTree or built-in storage views. Deleting caches helps once; moving boundaries helps for years.
Windows updates and hibernation files love C:. Confirm hiberfil size and whether you truly need full hibernation on desktops.
Relocation beats deletion for user libraries when possible—move Videos and Downloads to a secondary volume with folder properties.
If D: has hundreds of gigabytes free, a shrink-then-extend sequence can help—only after backups and BitLocker review.
Cloud sync clients can recreate giant caches; exclude paths intentionally after you understand them.
Virtual machines and Docker images belong off the system volume whenever feasible.
Schedule maintenance windows; users tolerate slowness less than a 45-minute chkdsk surprise.