# How to change the backup folder or free up space on Windows

## Quick answer

To save new backups elsewhere:

1. Click **Backups** at the top.
2. Click **Change folder**.
3. Pick a folder and click **Select Folder**.

To free up space, click the gear for **Settings**. Under **Temporary files**, click **Clear all**. Your backups aren't affected.

## What you need

- TextPort for Windows

## Steps

### Change the folder

1. Click **Backups**

   It is at the top of TextPort.

2. Click **Change folder**

   It is on the line that shows **Where to save** or **Saving to**. Windows asks for a folder.

   Tip: You can also click the gear, then **Change folder** under **Save new backups to**.

3. Click **Select Folder**

   Pick a folder on a drive with room first. New backups save there.

### Free up space

1. Click the gear

   It is at the top right. **Settings** opens.

2. Click **Clear all**

   It is under **Storage**, next to **Temporary files**. Your backups aren't affected.

   Tip: Click the arrow to see each kind. Click **Clear** to clear only that one.

## Done

New backups save in your folder, or your temporary files are gone.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Not enough free space** | A backup needs at least 5 GB free to start. Free up space, or click **Change folder** and pick another drive. |
| **The backup folder isn’t available** | Connect the drive. Or click **Change folder**, or **Use default** to go back to the first folder. |
| **TextPort can’t save to this folder** | Click **Change folder**. Pick a folder on this PC's own drive. |
| **Choose a folder with a shorter path** | Click **Change folder**. Pick a folder close to the top of the drive. |
| **Couldn’t clear these files** | Close apps that might be using them. Then try again. |
| **Some files weren’t cleared** | An export or an opening backup is using them. Try again when it is done. |
| You need much more space. | Old backups use the most space. See [Delete old backups](https://textport.com/guides/delete-old-backups-on-windows.md). |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Questions

### Do my old backups move to the new folder?

No. Existing backups stay where they are. TextPort still lists them.

### What does TextPort add to my folder?

TextPort makes a folder named TextPort inside it, unless the folder already has that name.

### How do I go back to the first folder?

Click **Use default**. It shows when you use another folder.

### What do I lose when I clear temporary files?

No messages. Clearing **Saved PDF progress** means an interrupted PDF export starts over. Clearing **Message database copies** makes backups open slower the next time.

## Next guides

- [How to delete old backups on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/delete-old-backups-on-windows.md): You will have more free space, with the backups you still need kept.
- [How to find your iPhone backups on your PC](https://textport.com/guides/find-your-iphone-backups-on-your-pc.md): You will see the folder of an iPhone backup in File Explorer.

TextPort guide for Windows. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/change-where-backups-are-saved-or-free-up-space-on-windows