Disk Cleanup aids in the defragmentation of your hard drive, resulting in increased system performance.
Disk Cleanup scans your hard drive and displays temporary files, Internet cache files, and unwanted software files that you can securely delete. DiskCleanup can be told to delete some or all of the files. This tool will walk you through a series of chores and procedures to get you back to work as soon as possible.
To begin, open File Explorer.
2. Select Properties from the right-click menu on the hard disk icon.
3. Select Disk Cleanup from the General menu.
4. Calculating space to free up will take a few minutes during Disk Cleanup.
Wait.
5. Uncheck any files you don’t want to be removed from the list of files you can remove.
ClickOK.
6. To begin the cleanup, click “Delete Files.”
7. Wait for the Disk Cleanup process to complete.
Is it okay to clear up your hard drive?
So, what do the rest of the choices do? We produced a list after going through Disk Cleanup. We performed Disk Cleanup on a Windows 10 PC that has the Anniversary Update installed. There may be fewer options in older versions of Windows. Some options may only appear if your hard drive contains specific sorts of system files.
- Cleanup from Windows Update: When you apply updates from Windows Update, Windows keeps older versions of system files on your computer. This gives you the option of uninstalling the updates later. This is a waste of space if you don’t plan on ever removing any Windows updates. This is safe to remove if your machine is in good operating order and you have no plans to uninstall any updates.
- Windows Defender: According to the Disk Cleanup program, this option deletes “non important files needed by Windows Defender.” Microsoft doesn’t specify what these files are, but they’re most likely temporary files. You can choose this option to save up some space while keeping Windows 10’s built-in antivirus running.
- Windows upgrade log files are created when you upgrade Windowsfor example, when you upgrade from Windows 7 to 10, or when you upgrade from Windows 10’s November update to Windows 10’s Anniversary update. These log files can “assist in identifying and resolving problems that arise.” Feel free to delete these if you aren’t having any issues with the upgrade.
- Downloaded Program Files: When you visit specific web sites in Internet Explorer, ActiveX controls and Java applets are downloaded from the Internet and stored in this folder. Please feel free to remove these. If you need them, they’ll be automatically downloaded the next time you visit a page that requires them.
- Temporary Internet Files: This folder contains your Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge “browser cache.” The cache stores bits and parts of webpages on your hard disk so that they can be loaded faster in the future. Although you can clear this to make room, your browser cache will eventually fill up again. It’s also worth noting that this only applies to Microsoft’s browsers. Other browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, have their own caches that you must clear from within Chrome or Firefox. Remember that clearing your browser cache on a regular basis slows down your web browsing.
- System error memory dump files: When Windows crashes, the system creates a memory dump file, also known as a “blue screen of death.” This file can assist in determining what went wrong. These files, on the other hand, can take up a lot of space. You can delete these files if you don’t intend to troubleshoot any blue screens of death (or if you’ve already fixed them).
- The system has been archived. Windows Error Reporting: When an application crashes, Windows generates and sends an error report to Microsoft. These error reports can assist you in identifying and resolving issues. Microsoft has received the archived error reports. You can delete these, but you won’t be able to see application crash reports if you do. They’re probably not significant if you’re not trying to solve a problem.
- System queued Windows Error Reporting: Similar to “System archived Windows Error Reporting,” except it contains queued error reports that have not yet been delivered to Microsoft.
- ESD installation files for Windows: This one is crucial! These files are stored on your PC and are used to “Reset your PC” to its factory default settings, as mentioned above. You can delete them to free up space, but if you ever need to reset your PC, you’ll need to generate and submit Windows installation media.
- Delivery Optimization Files: The “Windows Update Delivery Optimization Service” is a feature of Windows 10 that allows you to upload app and Windows updates to other computers using your computer’s bandwidth. Except for uploading to other PCs, this option allows you to delete material that is no longer needed.
- Device driver packages: Whether installed via Windows Update or elsewhere, Windows preserves previous versions of device drivers. This option will remove all previous device driver versions and replace them with the most recent. If your PC and its devices appear to be in good operating order, you can delete these files.
- Previous Windows installation(s): Windows keeps the old Windows system files for 10 days after you upgrade to a new version of Windows. Within those ten days, you can downgrade. Windows will remove the files after 10 days to save up disk spacebut you can delete them right now from here. Installing a major update, such as the Anniversary Update or November Update, on Windows 10 is essentially the same as upgrading to a new version of Windows. If you recently installed the Anniversary Update, you can downgrade to the November Update using the files provided here.
- When you select this option, the Disk Cleanup application will empty your computer’s Recycle Bin as well.
- Temporary Files: Data is routinely saved in a temporary folder by programs. Disk Cleanup will delete temporary files that haven’t been updated in over a week if this option is selected. This assures that it only deletes temporary files that aren’t being used by programs.
- Temporary Windows installation files: When installing a new version of Windows or a major update, the Windows Setup process uses these files. You can delete them to free up space if you aren’t in the middle of a Windows installation.
- Thumbnails: When you browse a folder again, Windows creates thumbnail images for pictures, movies, and document files and saves them on your hard drive so they can be viewed quickly. These cached thumbnails will be removed if you select this option. Windows will restore the thumbnail cache for a folder containing these types of files if you view it again.
We’ve also noticed a variety of different alternatives in this area. Some are only visible on older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, and others are only visible if your computer has specific sorts of data on its hard drive:
- Temporary Setup Files: When you install a program, it may create temporary setup files that aren’t automatically deleted. This option will get rid of any setup files that are no longer in use.
- Webpages Can Be Saved For “Offline” Browsing: Internet Explorer allows you to save web pages for “offline” browsing. Checking this box will erase your “Offline Webpages,” which are web pages that have been specifically saved for offline use.
- Debug Dump Files: These are debugging files that are created after a crash to aid in determining the cause. You can delete them if you’re not trying to solve a problem.
- Per User Archived Error Reporting: These are the same files as “System archived Windows Error Reporting,” but they’re saved under a user account rather than the system.
- Per User Queued Windows Error Reporting: These files are similar to “System Queued Windows Error Reporting” files, except they are saved under a user account rather than the system account.
- Old Chkdsk Files: When your hard drive’s file system is corrupted, the chkdsk tool runs. These are pieces of corrupted files if you find any “ancient chkdsk files.” Unless you’re seeking to recover vital, irreplaceable data, you can safely delete them.
- Game Statistics Files: On Windows 7, these files store your scores for games such as Solitaire and Minesweeper. If you remove them, the game will lose track of your scores and other statistics.
- Setup log files are created while the software is being installed. If an issue arises, the log files can assist in determining the cause. You can delete them if you’re not trying to debug a program installation.
- Minidump Files for System Errors: These are smaller memory dump files created when Windows crashes. They take up less space than bigger memory dump files, but they can still contain useful information that helps to pinpoint the issue. If you’re not trying to fix a system problem, you can delete these.
- Windows Upgrade Discarded Files: These are system files that were not transferred to your new PC during the Windows Upgrade procedure. You can delete them to free up space if your PC is in good operating order.
As long as you don’t plan on rolling back a device driver, uninstalling an update, or diagnosing a system problem, you can safely erase practically everything in Disk Cleanup. Unless you’re in desperate need of space, you should probably avoid those “Windows ESD Installation files.”
Quizlet: What does a disk cleanup utility do?
Utility for reorganizing files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system can access data and programs more rapidly.
In Disk Cleanup, which files should I delete?
The files and folders in Disk Cleanup are, for the most part, safe to remove. Furthermore, eliminating certain of the things in Disk Cleanup may prohibit you from uninstalling Windows updates, rolling back the Windows OS, or troubleshooting various computer issues if your machine is not running regularly.
As a result, when you see the following alternatives in Disk Cleanup, you must make a decision based on your specific circumstances.
Windows Update Cleanup
These files in this category are from previous versions of Windows that you have installed on your computer. It allows you to uninstall any version of Windows. If you don’t need to uninstall Windows updates, you can delete it to free up space on your hard drive.
Windows Upgrade Log Files
These files in this category are from previous versions of Windows that you may have installed on your computer. It allows you to remove any version of Windows. If you don’t need Windows updates, you can delete them to make room on your hard drive.
System Error Memory Dump Files
The Blue Screen of Death is a well-known stop mistake (BSOD). When your computer crashes with a blue screen of death, the system creates a memory dump file that can help you figure out what went wrong. If the BSOD problem has been resolved, you can delete the System Error memory dump files.
System Archived Windows Error Reporting
The error reports created by Windows when an application crashes are stored in the System archived Windows error reporting files. These error reports can assist you in analyzing and resolving program problems.
Microsoft has already received these mistake reports. It will have no effect on your PC if you delete them. However, once these reports have been deleted, you will no longer be able to read them. Whether you delete them or not is a decision you must make for yourself.
System Queued Windows Error Reporting
“System archived Windows Error Reporting” is similar. The main difference is that mistake reports are not forwarded to Microsoft. You have the option of deleting it or not, depending on your needs.
DirectX Shader Cache
The files created by the graphics system are stored in the DirectX Shader Cache. These files can be used to reduce the time it takes for an application to load and increase responsiveness. They will be re-generated as needed if you delete them. You can, however, erase the DirectX Shader Cache if you believe it is corrupt or too huge.
Delivery Optimization Files
The Windows Update Delivery Optimization function allows you to receive or transmit Windows updates to nearby computers or devices in your network. This function allows you to receive the update more quickly. However, it will consume a significant amount of space on your computer’s hard drive.
You can delete these files if they are taking up too much disk space or if you suspect the Delivery Optimization Files are corrupt. You can, however, keep them if you don’t mind taking up disk space.
Device Driver Packages
The Device Driver Packages contain older versions of device drivers. To resolve some issues, you can roll back a device driver in Device Manager if necessary. If your computer and all of your devices are in good working order, you can uninstall Device Driver Packages from Disk Cleanup.
Delete All System Restore Points
These are the system restore points you’ve set up to recover your system. You can save them for later use or remove them right away if you don’t intend to utilize them.
Previous Windows Installation(s)
Your machine will maintain the prior Windows system files for 10 days after upgrading Windows. Within ten days, you can downgrade your Windows. The old Windows installs will be automatically uninstalled 10 days later to free up space.
If you don’t want to degrade your Windows OS, you can manually delete them when you see this option in Disk Cleanup.
Temporary Windows Installation Files
Temporary Windows installation files are created throughout the Windows installation and major upgrade process. You can delete these files if you are not in the middle of a Windows installation or a big upgrade.
What’s the best way to get rid of the garbage on my computer?
Type disk cleanup into the taskbar’s search box, and then pick Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
Select the file types you want to get rid of under Files to delete. Select the file type to receive a description about it.
Remove the file types you want to get rid of. Select the file type to receive a description about it.
Note: If the Temp folder suddenly fills up after you run Disk Cleanup, see Low Disk Space Error from a Full Temp Folder.
Quizlet: What is Disk Cleanup?
Clean up your hard drive. Disk Cleanup assists in the management of disks by finding and removing files that can be securely deleted from the disk by: -emptying the Recycle Bin. -delete temporary files, such as those created by Internet Explorer or other applications. -removal of installation log files
How does defragmenting help a system operate better, according to your answer?
The Disk Defragmenter tool enhances system performance when used on a regular basis. When a computer saves a file, it divides it into smaller bits and saves them in different places on the hard drive. Because additional disk drive reads are required to locate the parts, Windows takes longer to access files.
Defragmentation is the process of locating and combining fragmented files. Disk Defragmenter combines fragments on the disk drive into a single spot. As a result, Windows is able to retrieve files more quickly, and new files are less likely to get fragmented.
The following instructions will show you how to use Disk Defragmenter in Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP. The final step describes how to use Disk Defragmenter to troubleshoot unexpected scenarios.
Should I use Disk Cleanup to erase transient internet files?
When you visit a website, your browser automatically saves (caches) files on your hard disk. These files are created when you first visit a page so that you may access it more quickly the next time you come. While temporary internet files can help you visit websites more quickly, they take up a lot of space on your hard disk. You can free up crucial storage space by removing these files.
If you’re always looking for ways to expand your storage, it might be time to update to a larger SSD. Learn more about the advantages of an SSD.
Is it OK to use Disk Cleanup to erase system error memory dump files?
Support engineers can use dump files to figure out what’s causing the system fault and how to fix it. Ordinary users, on the other hand, will not use the dump files for debugging.
Furthermore, when the dump files grow in size, they consume a significant amount of storage space. The system error memory dump files might grow to be above 100GB in size, which can slow down your machine.
Some users may question if they may delete the system error memory dump files. Is it safe to delete memory dump files containing system errors? Deleting the files, on the other hand, will have no effect on your computer’s normal operation. As a result, deleting system error memory dump files is safe.
You can clear up space on your system drive by eliminating system error memory dump files. When a system crash occurs, however, dump files can be immediately recreated. As a result, system error memory dump files must be deleted on a regular basis.
However, some users note that the Disk Cleanup program on the Windows operating system is impossible to delete the system error memory dump files Windows 10. Is there another way to erase Windows 10/8/7 system error memory dump files? Don’t be concerned. With thorough procedures and graphics, the following will show you 5 effective methods for deleting system error memory dump files.
How long does it take to clean the disc?
However, keeping my sad 120GB SSD on my surface seems better because I usually overfill it, so I actually use it.
I attempted to cancel it, but this will cause the next computer to malfunction. Restarting takes the same amount of time, and it can even fail.
I believe that Windows Updater may have already erased those unnecessary update files after they were installed.
So that’s my guess, just some user’s guesses from someone who has no programming experience.
But, don’t you think it’s crucial that the entire OS functions in a coordinated and proper manner?