---
id: troubleshooting.startup-disk-almost-full-warning
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/startup-disk-almost-full-warning
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Free space and clean-up messages"
question: "Storage Studio warned my startup disk is almost full — what should I do first?"
alt_questions:
  - "storage critical internal ssd almost full"
  - "your startup disk is nearly full storage studio notification"
  - "storage studio low disk space alert"
  - "mac disk almost full what to do first"
short_answer: "Your internal disk is nearly full. Run Free Up Space, move big items with What's Using Space, release space held in local snapshots, then empty the Trash when you're sure."
tags: ["disk full", "startup disk", "free space"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/space-held-in-automatic-backups", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/nothing-large-enough-to-move-honest-result"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Storage Studio warned my startup disk is almost full — what should I do first?

Your Mac's internal disk is running out of room, which can slow it down and stop updates installing. Start with the quickest safe wins:

1. Run **Free Up Space** from the menu bar — it clears rebuildable caches and old files after showing you what it will do.
2. Check **What's Using Space** for big folders and apps you can move to your fast drive.
3. Release space held in automatic backups from the Local Snapshots section.
4. Empty the Trash yourself once you're sure — Storage Studio leaves that to you because it can't be undone.

See [freeing up space](https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/).