How to Delete Unused Files

Filling up the space on your hard drive can be done very easily. While browsing the Internet, you'll come across music files, photos, downloadable applications and much more items to save for later access. However, you'll need to get rid of some of these things to make room for newer items. With a few tips, you'll learn how to delete unused files.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recycle Bin
• Folders
• Auto-Delete
• CCleaner

Manually Remove Files

1. Open the folder that contains the file that needs to be deleted from your computer system. Browse through the folder's contents and pick out the unused files that can be easily removed. Folders such as "My Downloads,""My Pictures" and "My Music" may contain files that are no longer needed.

2. Highlight the unused file you'd like to get rid of. If there are more than one file, hold down the "Ctrl" key and click each one of the files that need to be deleted. Make sure that you're not accidentally removing a necessary file when doing this.

3. Right-click the file or files and view the set of additional menu items that appear. A few examples of menu items include "Explore," "Open," "Share," "Cut" and "Delete." Choose the "Delete" option to remove the desired files. Another way of deleting your unused files is to press the Delete button on your keyboard while the files are highlighted.

4. View the pop-up box that appears when you delete the files. Click the "Yes" button to confirm the file deletions or you won't be able to go any further in the process. Each removed file will be automatically sent to the "Recycle Bin" on your computer system.

5. Open the "Recycle Bin" by clicking the desktop icon. Every file that you've recently deleted will be temporarily stored in this location. Browse through these files to verify that you didn't mistakenly delete one. After doing this, highlight all of the files by holding down the "Ctrl" key and pressing the "A" key. Choose either "Empty the Recycle Bin" link at the top of the window or press the "Delete" button again on the keyboard.

Use Software for File Deletion

6. Download a software application to periodically delete your unused files for you. A few examples of applications that are capable of doing this include "Auto-Delete" and CCleaner.

7. Open your downloaded software applications to begin deleting unused files on your computer system. With CCleaner, you'll have the chance to remove temporary Internet files, cookies, browsing history and other unused files. Click the "Cleaner" icon located on the left side of the window. Place a check next to each component you'd like to delete.

8. Launch the "Auto-Delete" application on your computer system. Configure the program to automatically begin upon startup by placing a check next to the box. Select your target folder by clicking the "Browse" button. It will allow you to pick the folder that you'd like files to automatically delete.

9. Pick the appropriate time interval that the deletion process should occur. Choose between several periods of time such as a week or month. Each file located in your chosen folder will promptly delete at your desired time.

Tips & Warnings

• Always delete unused files or folders to save hard drive space
• Don't delete important system files that may cause harm to your computer

References

• How to Delete a File
• How to Delete Files and Folders

Resources

• CCleaner
• Cyber-D's Autodelete