How to Delete Unnecessary Windows Files

As you use your computer for daily activities such as installing programs, browsing the Internet or deleting files, your computer accumulates unnecessary files that are stored on your hard drive. These files are temporary Internet files, installation files or unneeded system files. According to Microsoft, the Disk Cleanup tool included in Windows operating systems is used to remove these temporary files to reclaim disk space occupied by these unnecessary items. The Disk Cleanup tool simplifies the process of removing these unnecessary Windows files.

Instructions

1. Open the Windows "Start" menu and click "All Programs" to view the programs available on your computer. Click "Accessories" and select "System Tools."

2. Click "Disk Cleanup" to launch the Windows Disk Cleanup tool. If there is more than one user account on your computer, choose whether you want to clean up files for the current account, or files for all accounts on the computer.

3. Select the hard drive you want to clean with the Disk Cleanup tool. This option allows you to use the Disk Cleanup tool for hard drives other than the one your operating system is installed on, such as connected external storage hard drives.

4. Click the "Disk Cleanup" tab to view the types of temporary files and system files the Disk Cleanup tool can remove. Click to place a check mark next to each item you want to remove. The most common unneeded files are temporary Internet files, items in the Recycle Bin, Setup Log files and temporary files. Click "OK." Click "Yes" or "Delete Files" to confirm the deletion.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the Disk Cleanup tool often to keep temporary installation files and other system file types from occupying space on your hard drive.

• Temporary Internet files are stored on your computer to eliminate the need for your Internet browser to download commonly viewed websites each time you access the page. Deleting these files may free up hard drive space, but will force your Internet browser to download files again when you visit commonly used websites.

References

• Microsoft: Delete Files Using Disk Cleanup