What backup settings should I use to maximize my disk space?
Windows Backup provides you with the flexibility of managing the disk space that is used by your backups. After you set up Windows Backup, you can view how much disk space is being used by the backup and how much free space you have on the disk that your backups are being saved on by going to the Backup and Restore Control Panel. To control how much disk space is being used, you can choose how many file backups and how many system images Windows keeps. The following information can help you when deciding how best to manage your backup disk space:

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Delete files using Disk Cleanup
If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need. Watch this video to learn how to delete files using Disk Cleanup.

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How to Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files
Offline files are copies of network files that are stored on your computer so that you can work with them when you're not connected to the network or when the network folder that the files are stored in is not available. File encryption provides an additional level of access protection that works independently of NTFS file system permissions. Offline files are not encrypted by default. You might want to encrypt your offline files if they contain sensitive or confidential information to help prevent unauthorized access to them. This can also help safeguard your files in case your computer is ever lost or stolen.

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Create and format a hard disk partition
To create a partition or volume (the two terms are often used interchangeably) on a hard disk, you must be logged in as an administrator, and there must be either unallocated disk space or free space within an extended partition on the hard disk. If there is no unallocated disk space, you can create some by shrinking an existing partition, deleting a partition, or by using a third-party partitioning program.

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How to View All Your Offline Files
If you have made network files or folders to be Always available offline, then this will show you how to view all your available offline files in one place.

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How much disk space does System Restore require?
To store restore points, you need at least 300 megabytes (MB) of free space on each disk that is 500 MB or larger. System Restore might use between three and five percent of the space on each disk. As the amount of space fills up with restore points, System Restore deletes older restore points to make room for new ones.

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Schedule Disk Cleanup to run regularly
Disk Cleanup is a convenient way to delete files you no longer need and free up hard disk space on your computer. Scheduling Disk Cleanup to run regularly can save you the trouble of having to remember to run it.

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Install or remove a hard disk drive
Installing a new hard disk is one of the most common upgrade tasks. Its an easy way to extend the life of a computer that is running out of storage space. When you install a new internal or external hard disk, you can boost your total disk space several times over because hard disks are much bigger today than just two or three years ago .

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Enable or Disable the Use Of Offline Files
If you work with files on a network, you can make the files available offline so you can access them even when your computer is not connected to the network. This is especially useful if you use a laptop to connect to a workplace network. When you make a network file, or all files in a network folder, available offline, Windows creates a copy of the file or folder on your computer. This is called an offline file. The next time you disconnect from the network, you'll still be able to open, modify, and save the file the same way you would if you were still connected. And when you do connect to the network again, Windows will automatically sync the offline file on your computer with the corresponding file on the network to update it.

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How to View and Change Your Offline Files Status
This will show you how to view and change if you are currently working with the offline or online version of your available offline files in Windows 7.

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