How to Delete Items from a Hard Drive

Deleting items from a hard drive is important. Unwanted files can clog your drive, which will make it run poorly. Your hard drive only has a certain amount of space available to store data and run applications. If your hard drive is full, you may not be able to run the videos and games you wish. You will also find that Windows will have longer loading times. If you delete items from a hard drive, you will maintain a smoothly running machine.

Instructions

1. Open your hard drive with the "Computer" icon on your desktop. Navigate through your folders to locate items that you no longer use.

2. Delete a folder. If you have multiple files in one folder that you want to remove, right click on the folder. Scroll down to "Delete" and press that option. A window will appear, "Delete Folder." Make sure you want to delete the entire contents of the folder before you proceed. Click the "Yes" button when you are ready.

3. Remove a folder's contents. If you wish to keep the folder, but remove the items inside, double click on the folder to open. In the toolbar, press the "Edit" tab. Scroll down to "Select All." Click this option. The items in the folder will highlight and have a check mark beside them. Select the "File" option in the toolbar. Scroll down and select the "Delete" option. Another "Delete Folder" window will appear. Click the "Yes" tab.

4. Delete certain files from within a folder. If you have a folder in which you wish to keep particular files but delete others, use the "CTRL" button on the keyboard. Open the folder. Hold the control key then click the files you want to delete. Only those files will highlight. Click the "File" link in the toolbar. Scroll down and select "Delete." A "Delete Multiple Items" bar will pop up. Press the "Yes" button.

5. Click on the "Recycle Bin" on your desktop. Your files are still taking up space until you remove them from this folder. Double-check the items to make sure you want to delete them from your hard drive. Select the "File" tab, then "Empty Recycle Bin."

Tips & Warnings

• If you delete a great deal of files, run "Disk Defragment" afterwards. This will remove any fragments from your drive and help your computer run smoothly.