Storage problem after recent Windows 11 Update - System & Reserved

Question

Storage problem after recent Windows 11 Update - System & Reserved

L4R4 5

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can help me with a storage problem that started after a recent Windows 11 update.

I have a 1TB hard drive, and before the update, I was only using about 108GB. But after the update, my storage suddenly jumped to 928GB used, which is almost full.

Now my computer is acting up—I'm getting error messages and problems when I try to open Microsoft Office 365 apps like One Drive, Word and Excel.

I'm not very tech-savvy, so if anyone can explain what’s going on and how to fix it in simple terms, I’d really appreciate it!

Link to previous thread on old forum:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/storage-problem-after-recent-windows-11-update/3122b049-d573-4d98-8f90-9af62a1aff6c?page=1&messageId=50104768-b5b0-426f-aad5-5a06716ec235

LK 0 Reputation points

2025-12-11T20:48:12.9233333+00:00

I have exactly the same problem and it is infuriating. What perhaps makes it worse in my case is that the system is so unstable: I started today with 10gb of storage available, 12 hours later I have 200mb of storage available despite having zero downloads or installs during this time. It is enough to drive me to Apple!

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LK 0 Reputation points

2025-12-11T20:48:12.9233333+00:00

I have exactly the same problem and it is infuriating. What perhaps makes it worse in my case is that the system is so unstable: I started today with 10gb of storage available, 12 hours later I have 200mb of storage available despite having zero downloads or installs during this time. It is enough to drive me to Apple!

Answer 1

Henry Mai 7,010 Independent Advisor

Hello, I am Henry and I want to help you for this issue.

Could you go to Settings > System > Storage > Show more categories and tell me how much space is being used by "System & Reserved" and "Temporary files"?

The Windows update probably saved a copy of your old system in a folder called Windows.old, which can be very large. We can safely remove this using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool.

Click the Start button, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
Select your C: drive and click OK.
In the new window, click the "Clean up system files" button.
Select the C: drive again and click OK.
Check the box for "Previous Windows installation(s)". You can also check "Temporary Windows installation files".
Click OK to delete the files. This may take some time.

After the cleanup finishes, restart your computer. This should reclaim your storage and resolve the errors with your Office apps.

Let me know if that works.

L4R4 5 Reputation points

2025-07-21T10:56:49.89+00:00

Hi Henry, I have run the Clean Up System Files but it has made no difference unfortunately. I am beginning to wonder if its an issue with this Dell.
Henry Mai 7,010 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-21T13:58:37.4633333+00:00
From your storage breakdown, it seem related to System Volume Information. Just help me download a tool called TreeSize Free.

Run the tool as an administrator (right-click and select "Run as administrator").

Select your C: drive and let it scan.

It will show you a visual map of all folders and files, sorted by size. Look for any unusually large files or folders, especially within C:\Windows or a hidden folder like C:\System Volume Information.

You can refer this document Reduce the size of System Volume Information folder. and https://woshub.com/how-to-clean-up-system-volume-information-folder/and share the screenshot then I can help you with next step
Henry Mai 7,010 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-21T14:05:05.6933333+00:00
You can refer the steps below:

Delete the GUIDs files in System Volume Information folder using DiskShadow.exe.

a. Open a command prompt with administrator privilege and then type DiskShadow.exe.

b. Execute Delete shadows OLDEST <BackupStorageLocation>.

c. Execute Exit to exit DiskShadow.exe.

Change the amount of disk space available to VSS.

a. Right-click on the drive you want to configure (in this scenario: **E:\ ** ), then click Configure Shadow Copies.

b. Click “Settings” and then change the number under Maximum size > Use limit. Click OK to save. The extra shadow copies would be deleted in System Volume Information folder once you reduce the Maximum size.

Answer 2

L4R4 5

Hi Henry,

Thanks for your help, please find following my storage breakdown: User's image

Prior to this happening, my storage around 20 June 2025, all Apps and System Reserve totalled 108GB (for everything). System Storage 20 June 2025

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Storage problem after recent Windows 11 Update - System & Reserved

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