How to Delete Windows Log Files
Windows log files contain records of your computer's activity. Some log files record executed commands, others store Internet browsing history, and others contain a list of errors and exceptions that the computer has thrown. Some log files are useful when you need to learn why your computer is behaving strangely, but most simply take up valuable space on your hard drive. Most log files can be deleted manually, but removing some requires the use of special software such as CCleaner.
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Instructions
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Windows XP
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1
From the Start menu in Windows XP, select the "Search" option to open the Windows Search window.
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Select "All files and folders" from the "Location" menu. Selecting "All files and folders" will allow the search function to scan your entire computer for log files.
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Type "*.log" in the search box and click "Search" or press "Enter." Windows will search your entire computer for log files.
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Select the log files you wish to delete from the list of results. You can select multiple log files by pressing "Ctrl" and clicking on each log file you want deleted.
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Press "Delete" to send all of the selected log files to the recycle bin. If Windows displays a message that a file cannot be deleted because it is in use, make a note of the file name and click "Ignore" or "Cancel" on the dialog box. These files will be eliminated by third party software.
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6
Navigate to your desktop and right-click on the Recycle Bin. Select "Empty Recycle Bin" from the menu to permanently delete the log files.
Windows Vista/7
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7
Open Windows Explorer by selecting "Computer" from the Start menu.
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Type "*.log" in the search box and click "Search" or press "Enter." Windows will begin searching your computer for log files. Click on "Search Tools" and select "Search Pane" to open the search pane. Use the Advanced Options menu to select "Everywhere" from the "Location" menu.
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Select the log files you wish to delete from the list of results. You can select multiple log files by pressing "Ctrl" and clicking on each log file you want deleted.
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10
Press "Delete" to send all of the selected log files to the Recycle Bin. If Windows displays a message that a file cannot be deleted because it is in use, make a note of the file name and click "Ignore" or "Cancel" on the dialog box. These files will be eliminated by third-party software.
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11
Navigate to your desktop and right-click on the Recycle Bin. Select "Empty Recycle Bin" from the menu to permanently delete the log files.
Removing Log Files with CCleaner
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Install and run CCleaner (see Resources).
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Click on the "Cleaner" button from the main menu and select the "Windows" tab in the Cleaner window.
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Check the box marked "Windows Log Files" under the "System" category.
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Click on the "Run Cleaner" button and click "OK" on the confirmation dialog to clean your system.
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Tips & Warnings
If you think you will need information from a log file but you need the space on your hard drive, copy the log file to an external drive or a CD. Delete the file from your computer once it has been copied. Use the copy of the log file if you need information.
If you are unsure about deleting a log file because you do not know what it contains, open it with a text-reading program such as Notepad or WordPad and examine its contents. Most log files are text documents that can be opened without any special software.
Once you have deleted your log files, they cannot be recovered. Delete a log file only if you are certain you do not need the information it contains.
