How to Remove Temp Files From Windows XP

Deleting temporary files from your hard drive is a quick and easy way to free up extra space. Temporary files are files that are created while running a program and are usually deleted when the program is closed. But if the program locks up or the computer crashes before the program is properly exited, these files remain on your hard drive in a folder. Windows XP includes a service called the "Disk Cleanup Utility" that makes deleting temporary files a breeze.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" menu in the Windows taskbar.

2. Select "All Programs." From the list, click "Accessories."

3. Click on "System Tools" in the "Accessories" menu. Select "Disk Cleanup." The program will ask you the drive you want to clean up; select the drive letter that corresponds with your Windows installation (usually C:).

4. Scroll down through the "Disk Cleanup" menu and make sure the box next to "Temporary Files" is checked. You can leave the other boxes checked to delete other files, such as temporary Internet files and files in the Recycle Bin, or you can uncheck them if you only want to delete temporary files.

5. Click "OK" and the utility will delete the temporary files from Windows XP.

Resources

• Microsoft Knowledge Base: Disk Cleanup Tool