Delete temporary files / unneeded files or programs - Windows
Article ID: ART157227 | Date published: 06/09/2015 | Date last updated: 12/16/2015
 

Description

Delete temporary files to clear disk space.

Solution

Disk Cleanup Tool

Click here to run Disk Cleanup on Windows XP (if applicable to your model)

Click here to run Disk Cleanup on Windows 98 or Me (if applicable to your model)

The Disk Cleanup tool helps free up space on the computer's hard disk by searching for files that can be safely deleted. Some or all files can be deleted. Use Disk Cleanup to perform any of the following tasks to free up space on the computer's hard disk.

  • Remove temporary Internet files.
  • Remove downloaded program files. For example, ActiveX controls and Java applets that are downloaded from the Internet.
  • Empty the Recycle Bin.
  • Remove Windows temporary files.
  • Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.
  • Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

 

Windows XP

You can start Disk Cleanup, by doing any of the following:

  • On Windows desktop, click 'Start', and then click 'Run'. In the Open box, type cleanmgr, and then click 'OK'.

    -or-
  • On Windows desktop, click 'Start', point to 'All Programs', point to 'Accessories', point to 'System Tools', and then click 'Disk Cleanup'.

    -or-
  • In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, click 'Properties', click the 'General' tab, and then click 'Disk Cleanup.

Remove Files Stored on Your Hard Disk

To remove files stored on your hard disk that you no longer use, follow these steps:

  1. On Windows desktop, click 'Start', and then click 'My Computer'.
     
  2. Right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, and then click 'Properties'.
     
  3. Click the 'General' tab, and then click 'Disk Cleanup'.
     
  4. Click the 'Disk Cleanup' tab (if it is not already selected), click to select the check boxes next to the files that you want to remove, and then click 'OK'.
     
  5. Click 'Yes' to the proceed with this action, and then click 'OK'.


Remove Windows Components

To remove Windows components that you are not using, follow these steps:

  1. On Windows desktop, click 'Start', and then click 'My Computer'.
     
  2. Right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, and then click 'Properties'.
     
  3. Click the 'General' tab, and then click 'Disk Cleanup'.
     
  4. Click the 'More Options' tab, and then under Windows components, click 'Clean up'.

    The Windows Components Wizard starts.
     
  5. In the Components list, click to clear the check box next to the component(s) that you want to remove.

    * A shaded check box next to a component indicates that only some of its subcomponents are installed.

    * If you want to remove a subcomponent, click Details, click to clear the check box next to the subcomponent(s) that you want to remove, and then click OK.
     
  6. Click 'Next'.
     
  7. In the Completing the Windows Components Wizard page, click 'Finish'.
     
  8. Click 'OK', click 'Yes' to proceed with this action, and then click 'OK'.


Remove Installed Programs

To remove programs that you no longer use, follow these steps:

  1. On Windows desktop, click 'Start', and then click 'My Computer'.
     
  2. Right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, and then click 'Properties'.
     
  3. Click the 'General' tab, and then click 'Disk Cleanup'.
     
  4. Click the 'More Options' tab, and then under Installed programs, click 'Clean up'. The Add or Remove Programs dialog box is displayed.
     
  5. In the Currently installed programs list, click the program that you want to remove, and then click 'Remove (or Change/Remove)'.
     
  6. If you receive a prompt to confirm the removal of the program, click 'Yes'.
     
  7. Repeat step 5 and 6 to remove other programs that you no longer use, and then click 'Close'.
     
  8. Click 'OK', click 'Yes' to proceed with this action, and then click 'OK'.

 

Windows 98 / Me

Delete Stored Files

You can remove files stored on your hard disk that you do not use. To do so, follow these steps.

  1. On Windows desktop, double-click 'My Computer', right-click the hard disk on which you want to free space, click 'Properties', and then click 'Disk Cleanup' on the General tab.
     
  2. On the Disk Cleanup tab, click to select the check boxes of the files that you want to remove, click 'OK', click 'Yes', and then click 'OK'.

Remove Windows Components

You can free more hard disk space by removing optional components that you do not use. To do so, use the following steps.

  1. On Windows desktop, double-click 'My Computer', right-click the hard disk on which you want to free space, click 'Properties', and then click 'Disk Cleanup' on the General tab.
     
  2. On the More Options tab, click 'Clean Up' under Windows Components.
     
  3. If a component's check box is shaded, only some of the components are installed. If you want to see what is included in the component, click to select the component, and then click 'Details'. If you want to remove components, click to clear the check boxes of the components that you do not want to use, click 'OK', click 'OK', and then click 'OK'.

Remove Installed Programs

You can free hard disk space by removing programs that you do not use. To do so, use the following steps.

  1. On Windows desktop, double-click 'My Computer', right-click the hard disk on which you want to free space, click 'Properties', and then click 'Disk Cleanup' on the General tab.
     
  2. On the More Options tab, click 'Clean Up' under Installed Programs.
     
  3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click the program that you want to remove, and then click 'Add/Remove'. Follow the instructions on your screen to remove the program.
     
  4. Repeat step 3 to remove additional programs, click 'OK', click 'OK', and then click 'OK'.

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