How to Recover Lost Hard Disk Space in Vista

Windows Vista Disk Cleanup

Microsoft Windows Vista, as well as other versions of the Windows operating system, ships with a disk utility named Disk Cleanup. Disk Cleanup assists the user with cleaning up old and outdated files in order to reclaim space on the hard drive. In addition to running the Disk Cleanup program, uninstall any unused programs, delete any unnecessary document drafts and clean the hard drive of duplicate and unneeded folders and files to free even more space.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button and click "All Programs."

2. Click the "Accessories" folder to expand.

3. Click the "System Tools" program link.

4. Click the "Disk Cleanup" option. The Disk Cleanup wizard will launch.

5. Select "My Files Only" or "Files From All Users on the Computer" to clean.

6. Click the C: drive to run Disk Cleanup on the primary partition. Click "Continue." The Disk Cleanup interface will appear.

7. Check the checkbox in front of each file group to delete. The user may opt to delete Temporary Internet Files, installation files, error logs, downloaded files, among others.

8. Click "OK" after selections have been made. Disk Cleanup will begin to scan the C: drive. Allow the utility to completely run until finished. A notification dialog box will appear when the Disk Cleanup process is has completed.

9. Click the "OK" button to clear the dialog box.

10. Test the additional space by right-clicking on the C: drive in Windows Explorer, selecting "Properties" and verifying the reclaimed hard drive space.

References

• Microsoft: Delete files using Disk Cleanup
• Udel.edu: Running Disk Cleanup on a Windows Computer