It happens sooner or later with every computer; the need to clean up hard drive space. No matter how large your hard drive is, extensive use will start to fill it up. Old programs, useless data, pictures of someone else’s high school prom, they are all sitting there taking up space you could use for something else. Worst of all that data is slowing your system down.
Manual Clean Up
There are ways that you can clean up your hard drive on your own. Clean out all the temporary internet files and cookies. Then remove all the programs that remain on your computer out of habit–old games, old utilities and the like.
Transfer photos and documents you rarely use to alternate media, like CDs or Flash Drives and delete them from your hard drive. Finally, empty out the recycle bin and run defrag.
You will find with all that junk gone and the drive defragmented, your computer speeds up and has more room to store new things. Of course, if you are actually approaching the drive’s limit you may want to get a new drive, either external or internal. The results are usually worth it.
Computer Clean Disc
Windows programs typically come with their own clean up utility; Windows XP is no exception. Under the My Computer icon you will find the Properties folder. In there, opt for the general tab and choose disc cleanup. The rest is handled by the computer which will assess what you can remove and give you the option of choosing to do so or not. This can free up a bunch of space.
Registry Cleaners
Downloading a good registry cleaner is another way to speed up your computer and clean up hard drive space. This program will search for missing or damaged files in the OS registry and replace or repair them. It will also delete fragments of old programs, search for viruses and other malware. In a matter of minutes your computer will be optimized for use.
