A full hard disk can make a computer run slower for several reasons, one of which is that it can take a while to find the data since the hard drive physically moves to access data, kind of like a CD or DVD does. It has to move more in order to access the data on the drive. This can be helped by cleaning data that is not needed off of the hard drive.

 

We will be using the disk cleaning utility built in to Windows. In order to get to the program, go to Start => All Programs => Accessories => System Tools => Disk Cleanup. This will open the program and a prompt such as the one shown to the right will appear.

 

This is the drive selection screen. This is where you choose the drive that you would like to clean up. Usually the first drive that is listed is the drive that your Windows installation is on and that is usually the drive that needs to be cleaned. This is also often the (C:) drive. If it isn't the (C:) drive, it is best to leave the setting as it is. After you have chosen the correct drive, press "OK" to continue.

 

After you click "OK," a new box will appear. This is the progress bar that is shown while the program is searching for files that are not needed or are cluttering up your computer. These files can include anything from old error reporting logs to the items in your recycle bin. This will NOT interfere with any of your documents such as pictures, music, or movies. Keep in mind that this scanning process may take a long time to complete. This will vary on the amount of clutter on your computer. While waiting, why not get yourself a wedge of pineapple, open a new tab in FireFox, and check out the rest of Will's Tech?

 

After the scan has been completed, a window that looks like the one at the left should appear. This is where you select what you want Cleanup to remove from your system. I suggest that you select everything listed unless you know for a fact that something should not be deleted. After you have selected what you want deleted, click "OK" to begin the removing process.

 

After you click "OK," another box will appear that is similair to the one that appears above. This one, however, shows the progress of the cleaning process. This will not take as long as the original scan for files, but will still take a long time.