You encounter the message “Not enough disk space C:"every time you try to install a new program or download a file? This problem is familiar to most laptop users after 2-3 years of active use. Unlike desktop PCs, where adding another hard drive is a matter of five minutes, with laptops everything is more complicated: the compact case limits upgrade options. But this does not mean that there is no solution.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to increase memory on a laptop disk - from replacing the drive with a more capacious one to software optimization and cloud technologies. You will find out which options are suitable for your model (Asus, Lenovo, HP, Acer etc.), how much it will cost, and what pitfalls await beginners. And if you are not ready to disassemble the device, we will show you how to free up to 100 GB of space without buying a new disc.

1. Replacing the HDD with an SSD or a more capacious drive

The most radical, but also the most effective way is complete replacement of the old disk to a new one with a larger volume. Modern SSD not only faster than traditional HDD, but also consume less energy, which extends battery life. For example, replacement HDD 500 GB per SSD for 1 TB it will cost 3,000–6,000 rubles (depending on the drive model).

Before you run to the store, check:

  • 🔍 Connection type: Most laptops use SATA III (up to 600 MB/s) or M.2 NVMe (up to 3,500 MB/s). Check the device documentation for details.
  • 📏 Form factor: 2.5-inch disks (standard for HDD/SSD SATA) or M.2 (thin slats for ultrabooks).
  • 🔧 Availability of slot: some laptops (eg MacBook Pro after 2016) have soldered memory that cannot be replaced.

If your laptop supports M.2 NVMe, pay attention to models with PCIe 4.0 - they are 2 times faster PCIe 3.0. For example, Samsung 980 Pro (1 TB) shows read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s, but for this the motherboard must support the standard PCIe 4.0 x4.

⚠️ Attention: When replacing a disk be sure to transfer the system using programs like Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla. Installing Windows from scratch will require purchasing a new license (if yours is tied to the motherboard).
Drive type Max. volume (2026) Speed Compatibility Price for 1 TB
HDD 2.5" SATA 5 TB 100–150 MB/s 99% laptops 2 500–3 500 ₽
SSD 2.5" SATA 4 TB 500–550 MB/s 95% laptops 4 000–5 500 ₽
SSD M.2 SATA 2 TB 500–550 MB/s Ultrabooks 2015–2019 5 000–6 500 ₽
SSD M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 4 TB 3,000–3,500 MB/s Laptops from 2017 6 000–8 000 ₽
SSD M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 4 TB 5,000–7,000 MB/s Premium models from 2020 9 000–12 000 ₽
📊 What type of drive is installed in your laptop?
  • HDD
  • SSD SATA
  • SSD NVMe
  • I don't know

2. Adding a second disk (if there is a free slot)

Many laptops (especially gaming or business class) have additional storage slot. For example, in Lenovo Legion or ASUS ROG Strix often provided:

  • 💾 Slot for the second M.2 (under the cover on the back panel).
  • 🔄 Optane slot (can be adapted to M.2 SSD using an adapter).
  • 🖥️ Slot for 2.5" HDD/SSD instead of a DVD drive (relevant for older models).

To check for free slot availability:

  1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the battery (if removable).
  2. Unscrew the back cover (usually you need a Phillips screwdriver PH0 or PH1).
  3. Look for connectors M.2 (small horizontal slot with screw) or compartment for 2.5" disk.

If there is a slot, but it's like M.2 2242 (short) and you bought M.2 2280 (standard), the disk simply will not physically fit. Please check the model specifications for supported sizes!

⚠️ Attention: In some laptops (for example, Dell XPS 13) second slot M.2 can only work with Wi-Fi module. Connecting an SSD there will result in no network.

Unplug the laptop and remove the battery

Prepare an antistatic wrist strap or work on a dielectric surface

Check the compatibility of the new drive with BIOS (especially for NVMe)

Download the system cloning utility (if you plan to transfer the OS)

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3. Replacing the DVD drive with a second disk (for older laptops)

If your laptop was released before 2018, there's a good chance it has DVD drive. It can be replaced with second hard drive with the help adapter-sled (costs 300–800 ₽). This method is relevant for models:

  • 📀 HP Pavilion, ProBook (series 65x0, 84x0).
  • 📀 Lenovo ThinkPad (rulers T, W, X2xx).
  • 📀 Dell Latitude (models E6x30, E7x40).

Replacement process:

  1. Buy an adapter for your model (for example, ORICO 2.5" HDD/SSD Caddy).
  2. Remove the DVD drive: it is usually secured with 1-2 screws from the bottom and secured with a latch.
  3. Install a new disk into the adapter (HDD or SSD thickness 7 or 9.5 mm).
  4. Insert the structure back and secure.

After installation, the second disk will appear in Windows Disk Management (Win + X → Disk Management). It can be used to store files or even move part of the system folders there (for example, Documents or Downloads) through Folder Options → Location.

💡

Before purchasing an adapter, measure the thickness of your DVD drive! Ultrabooks often use slim drives (12.7 mm), which require special sleds.

4. Optimizing the current disk: how to free up to 100 GB

If an upgrade is not an option, Free up space on your existing drive using these methods. On laptops with Windows 10/11, up to 30–50 GB is often “lost” due to:

  • 🗑️ Temporary files (Temp, browser cache, Windows updates).
  • 👁️ Hidden folders (WinSxS, System Volume Information).
  • 🎮 Game caches (Steam, Epic Games, Origin leave gigabytes of “garbage”).

Step by step cleaning:

  1. Delete temporary files: 
    Нажмите Win + R, введите %temp% и удалите всё из папки.

    В Параметры → Система → Память включите «Очистку временных файлов».

  2. Clear your browser cache:

    B Chrome go to Settings → Privacy → Clear history (select "Cookies and cache").

  3. Delete old restore points: 
    Откройте Панель управления → Восстановление → Настройка восстановления системы.

    Выберите диск, нажмите «Настроить» и удалите все точки кроме последней.

For deep cleaning, use the following utilities:

  • 🛠️ CCleaner (free version clears cache and registry).
  • 🗃️ WinDirStat (shows which folders take up the most space).
  • 🎮 Steam Library Manager (transfers games to another drive without reinstalling).
How to move Windows folders to another drive?

1. Open Properties folders (for example Documents).

2. Go to the tab Location and specify the path on another drive (for example, D:\Documents).

3. Confirm the transfer - the files will be transferred automatically.

⚠️ Don't transfer folders Program Files or Windows - this will disrupt the operation of the system!

5. Cloud solutions: when there is no physical space

If the upgrade is not possible, and optimization did not help, transfer files to the cloud. Modern services offer:

  • 📁 Free place: Google Drive (15 GB), Yandex Disk (10 GB), Mail.ru Cloud (8 GB).
  • 💰 Paid tariffs: 1 TB in Google One costs 139 ₽/month, in iCloud — 149 ₽/month.
  • 🔗 Synchronization: Folders on your PC are automatically updated in the cloud (for example, via Dropbox or OneDrive).

How to set up automatic synchronization in OneDrive (built into Windows 10/11):

  1. Click on the icon OneDrive in the tray (next to the clock).
  2. Select Settings → Configure synchronization options.
  3. Specify the folders you want to sync (for example, Desk, Documents).
  4. Activate the option Make room — the files will be available online, but will not take up disk space.

Suitable for photographers and videographers Amazon Photos (unlimited photo storage for subscribers Prime) or Flickr Pro (1 TB for 700 ₽/year).

⚠️ Attention: When using cloud drives disable automatic file downloads in the service settings. Otherwise they will take up space on yours again. C:, nullifying all efforts.
💡

Cloud storage is suitable for documents, photos and videos, but not for games or programs. For them, it is better to use a physical disk extension.

6. External storage: SSD and HDD for laptop

If disassembling your laptop is scary, and the clouds are not suitable, buy an external drive. Modern SSD in the case USB-C show speeds up to 1,000 MB/s (for example, Samsung T7 Shield or SanDisk Extreme Pro). Their advantages:

  • ⚡ Speed: external NVMe SSD 5–10 times faster than flash drives.
  • 🔄 Versatility: Connect to any device (PC, Mac, tablet).
  • 🛡️ Reliability: models with protection IP65 Withstand falls and moisture.

Cons:

  • 💸 Price: 1 TB Samsung T7 costs ~8,000 ₽ (only domestic is cheaper HDD).
  • 🔌 Port dependency: if the laptop only has USB 2.0, the speed will be limited to 40 MB/s.

To save money you can choose external HDD (For example, WD My Passport 2 TB for 5,000 ₽), but it will be slower and more sensitive to shocks.

Model Type Volume Speed Price (2026)
Samsung T7 Shield External SSD (USB-C) 1 TB 1,000 MB/s 7 500–8 500 ₽
SanDisk Extreme Pro External SSD (USB-C) 2 TB 1,050 MB/s 14 000–16 000 ₽
WD My Passport External HDD (USB 3.0) 4 TB 120 MB/s 7 000–8 000 ₽
Seagate Backup Plus External HDD (USB-C) 5 TB 130 MB/s 9 000–10 000 ₽

7. Alternative methods: compression, symbolic links, Linux

If standard methods do not help, try non-obvious solutions:

1. Disk compression (NTFS)

Windows supports file compression at the file system level. This will save up to 20–30% of space:

  1. Open Properties of drive C: (right click → Properties).
  2. Check Shrink this drive to save space.
  3. Confirm and wait for completion (may take several hours).

Minus: CPU load will increase when working with files.

2. Symlinks

Move Heavy folders (for example, Steam or Adobe Cache) to another disk, leaving the "shortcuts" on C:. To do this:

Откройте Командную строку от имени администратора и введите:

mklink /J "C:\Путь\к\папке" "D:\Реальное\расположение"

3. Installing Linux on the second partition

Distributions like Ubuntu or Linux Mint take up only 10–15 GB and can be run from the same drive as Windows (via GRUB). This is relevant if you need a lightweight OS for office tasks.

1. Go to Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings → Advanced.

2. In section Virtual memory click Edit.

3. Uncheck Automatically select the size of the paging file and set it to a fixed size (eg 2-4GB).

⚠️ Do not disable the page file completely - this can lead to errors in games and heavy programs!-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about increasing memory on a laptop

Is it possible to increase the memory on a laptop disk? MacBook Air/Pro?

In models MacBook Since 2016, the memory has been soldered onto the motherboard. It is physically impossible to replace it. Alternatives:

  • Use iCloud (50 GB — 59 ₽/month, 2 TB — 599 ₽/month).
  • Connect external SSD through USB-C/Thunderbolt (For example, SanDisk Extreme Pro).
  • Optimize storage via About This Mac → Storage → Manage.
How much does it cost to replace an HDD with an SSD at a service center?

Cost of work in 2026:

  • Replacement 2.5" SATA: 800–1 500 ₽.
  • Replacement M.2 NVMe: 1,200–2,000 ₽ (more difficult due to thermal pads).
  • System transfer: 500–1,000 ₽ (if you don’t do it yourself).

Total with purchase SSD for 1 TB: ~7,000–10,000 RUR.

Is it possible to put two SSDs in a laptop?

Yes, if:

  • Yes two slots M.2 (check model specification).
  • One slot M.2, and the second - 2.5" SATA (for example, in Lenovo ThinkPad T480).
  • There is a free slot mSATA (found in laptops 2012–2016).

Configuration example: SSD NVMe 500 GB for system + SATA SSD 2 TB for files.

How to transfer Windows to a new drive without reinstalling?

Use cloning programs:

  1. Macrium Reflect Free: 
    1. Подключите новый диск через USB-адаптер.

    2. В программе выберите исходный диск и целевой.
    

    3. Нажмите Clone this disk и дождитесь завершения.

  2. Clonezilla (free, but more complicated): 
    1. Скачайте ISO и запишите на флешку.

    2. Загрузитесь с флешки, выберите режим device-device.
    

    3. Укажите исходный и целевой диски.

After cloning unplug the old driveto avoid boot conflicts.

What should I do if the laptop does not turn on after replacing the disk?

Possible causes and solutions:

  • The disk is not initialized: Go to BIOS (F2/Del at boot) and check if the new drive is visible. If not, reconnect it.
  • No boot entry: Cloning failed. Try it Windows auto recovery (bootable flash drive → System Restore).
  • BIOS incompatibility: Some older laptops do not support NVMe. Update BIOS or return SATA SSD.