How to Check Reserved Storage in Windows 11
This guide will show you easy ways to check the Reserved storage on your Windows 11 computer. We’ll use simple tools like the Settings app and the Command Prompt.
Open Settings, navigate to System, then Storage, and select “Show more categories” to find “System & reserved.” Alternatively, open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run the command `fsutil storagereserve query C:`.
What is Reserved Storage?
Reserved storage in Windows 11 is a special area on your hard drive that Windows uses to store important system files and get them ready for updates. This helps make sure your computer can install new features and fix problems smoothly, even if your storage space is almost full. Windows usually sets aside about 7 GB for this, but it can change.
Usually, Windows sets aside about 7 GB for reserved storage. But this size can change depending on your computer and how much free space you have.
Reserved storage indicates the amount of disk space available for personal files and programs. Checking reserved storage helps identify if limited disk space is slowing down a computer, providing clear insight into storage availability.
How to Check Reserved Storage Using the Settings App
You can easily check how much space reserved storage is using in Windows 11 with the Settings app. Just open Settings, go to System, then Storage, and click ‘Show more categories’. This will show you exactly how much room reserved storage is taking up on your drive, helping you manage your disk space better.
- Open the Settings app.
- Click the Start button (the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner) and select Settings.
- Or, press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings right away.
- Click on System in the left menu.
Windows 11 System button in Settings - Click Storage on the right side.
Windows 11 Storage tile in Settings app - Click Show more categories to see all storage categories.
Windows 11 Storage show more categories link - Click on System & reserved to open details.
Windows 11 System & reserved storage tile - Look for the Reserved storage size on this page.
This shows how much space Windows has reserved for system use.
Windows 11 Reserved storage details - When you’re done, you can simply close the Settings app.
How to Check Reserved Storage Using the Command Line
If you prefer using commands, you can check your reserved storage in Windows 11 through the command line. You’ll need to open Windows Terminal as an administrator and type a specific command. This method shows you the reserved storage usage if you’re comfortable with using commands instead of the Settings app.
- [ADMIN] Open Windows Terminal as an administrator.
- Click the Start button, type Windows Terminal, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
- Learn more about opening Windows Terminal as admin
- Choose either the PowerShell or Command Prompt tab.
- You can switch tabs at the top of the Terminal window.
- Type this command and press Enter:
fsutil storagereserve query C:This checks the reserved storage on your C: drive (usually your main drive).
- The result will show you the reserved storage space in bytes.
Summary
Reserved storage in Windows 11 keeps space ready for updates and important system tasks, helping your computer run smoothly. Knowing how to check its usage is key to managing your disk space. You can easily see how much space it’s taking up by using the Settings app or the command line.- Reserved storage is space Windows keeps for updates and important system tasks.
- You can easily check it using the Settings app or the Command Prompt.
- Knowing your reserved storage size helps you manage your disk space better.
- Checking it regularly can prevent problems caused by low disk space.
- Keeping an eye on reserved storage ensures your Windows 11 PC runs smoothly and stays healthy.
Can I delete reserved storage in 🪟 Windows 11?
Reserved Storage in Windows 11 safeguards updates but consumes 7GB or more of disk space. You can disable reserved storage via DISM (/State:Disabled), Registry (ShippedWithReserves=0), or scripts to free space. Always reboot afterward and run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) to reclaim storage.
What is 🪟 Windows 11 reserved storage?
System reserved storage To make sure your device can successfully update and that it runs its best, Windows reserves a portion of storage space on your device for use by temporary files, caches, and other files.
Is reserved storage needed?
Reserved Storage keeps some disk space for Windows Update, apps, temporary files, and system caches because without enough disk space, Windows processes can become unstable, causing the OS and applications to stop working properly.
Can you delete reserved storage?
In order to turn off reserved storage, just set MiscPolicyInfo to 2 and set PassedPolicy to 0. Whenever you need to turn on reserved storage, set the values of both MiscPolicyInfo and PassedPolicy to 1. Close Registry Editor and reboot your computer to see the changes.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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