Applications are programs you've installed that take up space on your drive

When you look at what's using your storage, applications (or "apps") are the software programs you've downloaded and installed — things like Microsoft Word, Spotify, your web browser, or a photo editor. Each one sits on your hard drive and takes up a certain amount of space. On Windows, you'll see them listed under "Apps" in Settings. On Mac, they live in your Applications folder.

The reason this matters for storage is straightforward: applications can be large. A single video editing program might take up 5 to 10 gigabytes. Your web browser, if you've used it for years and never cleared the cache, can creep up to several gigabytes on its own. When you're trying to figure out why your drive is full, applications are often one of the biggest culprits — second only to your actual files (documents, photos, videos) and sometimes tied with system files.

Understanding what counts as an process helps you make real decisions about what to delete, what to move to external storage, and what to keep. It's also the first step in knowing whether you actually need something taking up that space, or whether you installed it once and forgot about it.

Key Takeaways

  • Applications are installed programs like Word, Spotify, or Chrome, and each one takes up storage space on your drive.
  • You can see exactly how much space each process uses by opening Settings on Windows or checking your Applications folder on Mac.
  • Uninstalling applications you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up storage without losing your files.
  • Some applications store additional data (caches, settings, temporary files) in separate locations, so removing the program doesn't always clear everything it created.
  • You cannot move most applications to external storage the way you move files — they need to stay on your main drive to run properly.

How to see what applications are using your storage

On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to System, then Storage. You'll see a breakdown of what's using space. Click "Apps & features" and you'll get a list of every installed process with its size next to it. The list is sortable, so you can click the size column to see your largest programs first. This is the fastest way to spot applications you forgot you had.

On Mac, open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and you're looking at your installed programs. To see how much space each one uses, select all the applications (Command+A), then right-click and choose "Get Info". It will show you the total. For individual app sizes, you can use a free tool like Disk Diag or straightforward click on each app and check its size in the Info window — it's slower but gives you exact numbers.

If you want a visual breakdown of your entire drive, both Windows and Mac have built-in tools. On Windows, use "Storage Sense" (also in Settings > System > Storage). On Mac, use "About This Mac" and click Storage to see a colored bar showing what's taking up space. Neither tool is perfect, but both will show you whether applications are your main storage problem or whether it's something else.

The difference between uninstalling and deleting

straightforward dragging an process to the trash (on Mac) or the Recycle Bin (on Windows) does not fully remove it. When you uninstall properly, the program removes not just itself but also the settings, preferences, and temporary files it created while you were using it. This matters because some applications leave behind gigabytes of cached data even after you think you've deleted them.

On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the process you want to remove, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will walk you through the removal. On Mac, some applications have their own uninstaller (look in the Applications folder for an "Uninstall [App Name]" file). For others, you can drag the app to the trash, but you should also search your Library folder for leftover files — though this is technical and straightforward to get wrong if you're not sure what you're looking for.

If you're not sure whether you need an process, uninstalling it is low-risk. You can always reinstall it later if you realize you miss it. The space you free up is when ready, and you're not losing any of your actual files (documents, photos, videos) — only the program itself.

Applications you probably don't need to keep

Most computers come with applications pre-installed that you'll never use. On Windows, this might include games, trial versions of Microsoft Office, or promotional software from the manufacturer. On Mac, it might be GarageBand, iMovie, or other creative tools you don't touch. These are safe to uninstall if you're certain you won't use them.

Look also for duplicate browsers. If you have Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all installed, you probably only use one or two. Each browser takes up 500 megabytes to 2 gigabytes, so removing the ones you don't use adds up. The same goes for multiple versions of the same program — if you upgraded to a newer version of something, the old version might still be sitting on your drive.

Be cautious about removing anything you're unsure about. If you don't recognize the name, search for it online before deleting. Some applications have confusing names but are actually important to your system. When in doubt, leave it alone — storage is cheaper than the headache of accidentally breaking something.

Why you can't move applications to external storage

Unlike your files, most applications cannot straightforward be moved to an external hard drive or USB stick and still work. Applications need to be installed on your main drive because they integrate with your operating system, store settings in system folders, and run processes that depend on being in a specific location. If you move an process to external storage and then unplug the drive, the program will break.

There are rare exceptions. Some portable applications (usually older or specialized software) can run from external storage, but these are uncommon. For the vast majority of what you use — Microsoft Office, Adobe programs, browsers, media players — moving them is not an option.

This is why uninstalling unused applications is more effective than trying to archive them. If you genuinely need a program but want to free up space, your only real option is to uninstall it and reinstall it later if you need it again. Reinstalling takes time but is straightforward, and you'll get the space back when ready.

process caches and temporary files

Even after you uninstall an process, it may have left behind cache files — temporary data it stored to run faster next time. On Windows, these often live in the AppData folder (hidden by default). On Mac, they're in the Library folder. These leftover files usually don't take up much space individually, but they can add up if you've installed and uninstalled many programs over time.

You can clean these up manually, but it requires navigating hidden folders and knowing which files belong to which process — straightforward to get wrong. A safer approach is to use a built-in tool. On Windows, use Disk Cleanup (search for it in the Start menu) or Storage Sense to remove temporary files. On Mac, use the Empty Trash feature after uninstalling, or use a free tool like CleanMyMac X (though be cautious with third-party cleaning tools, as some are aggressive).

For most people, this level of cleanup is not necessary unless you're desperate for every last megabyte. Uninstalling the applications themselves will free up far more space than hunting down cache files.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much space do applications usually take up?

It varies widely. A small utility might be 10 to 50 megabytes. A web browser is typically 500 megabytes to 2 gigabytes. Large programs like video editors, design software, or games can be 5 to 50 gigabytes or more. Check your Settings to see what you actually have installed.

Will uninstalling an process delete my files made with it?

No. Uninstalling removes the program itself, not the documents you created with it. Your Word documents, photos, spreadsheets, and other files stay on your drive. You'll just lose the ability to open them with that program unless you reinstall it or use a different program.

Can I move my applications to a second internal drive?

On Windows, some applications allow you to choose an installation location during setup, so you can install them on a second drive instead of your main one. On Mac, this is not standard. Check the installation wizard when you install something new if you want to try this, but most applications expect to be on your primary drive.

What if I'm not sure whether I need an process?

Search the program name online to see what it does. If it's something you haven't used in months, you probably don't need it. Uninstalling is reversible — you can always reinstall it later if you change your mind. The risk of keeping something you don't use is wasted storage; the risk of deleting something you need is minimal.

Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling an process?

Usually not, but some applications (especially on Windows) will ask you to restart to complete the removal. If prompted, restart. If not prompted, you can usually start using the freed-up space when ready.