How Do I Clean Up Space on My Computer?

Clearing unwanted files from your hard drive will make your computer run better

Cleaning your computer's hard drive regularly helps maximize performance. By clearing the clutter out of your computer, you will increase its speed, reduce the chance of system crashes and make room for files that you really need. If you want to get files off of your computer, but still want to use them in the future, invest in an external hard drive. These small, removable drives can hold a substantial amount of data. If you don't need so much storage, and want to save a little bit of money, put your files on a USB flash drive.

Instructions

1. Delete any files, programs or folders that you no longer need. These can take up a lot of extra space on your hard drive and make it run slower.

2. Run the Disk Cleanup program at least once a month. To access this program, click on "Start," and then select "All Programs." Navigate to "Accessories," and then choose "System Tools." Click on "Disk Cleanup" and follow the prompts to begin the process. This can clean up quite a bit of space on your hard drive.

3. Delete your Internet browsing history regularly. For Internet Explorer, open the browser and select "Tools" from the top task bar. Click on "Internet Options." Choose "Browsing History" from the pop-up box, and then click on "Delete." Firefox users can delete their browsing history by clicking on "Tools," and then on "Options." Select "Clear your recent history," and choose "Everything" under the "Time range to clear" drop-down menu.

4. Delete your temporary Internet files, also known as cookies. Internet Explorer users can delete cookies by clicking on "Tools," and then "Internet Options." Select "Delete Files" from the General tab, and then check the box labeled "Delete all offline content." Firefox users can delete cookies by clicking on "Tools," and then "Options." Select "Remove individual cookies," and then click on "Remove all cookies."

References

• Geek Girls: Using Windows Defrag
• Microsoft at Work: 5 ways to speed up your PC