Computer File Cleanup Part 2

5. Computer File Cleanup Removing Unneeded Applications
6. Deleting Left over Application Directories
7. Deleting Application Install Files
8. Defragmenting
9. Old User Accounts
10. Deleting or Archiving Old Emails

5. Computer File Cleanup - Removing Unneeded Applications
Applications can be real hogs in terms of the amount of space they occupy, and the amount of files that they can consist of.

Most applications can be removed from Control Panels Add/Remove programs on Windows XP or Control Panel – Programs – Uninstall a Program (Windows 7)

If you cannot see an uninstall within either of these then check in the applications directory, you can find this by right clicking the application itself and selecting Properties and open file location, then look for an uninstall

6. Deleting Left Over Directories
After you uninstall an application its worth checking to make sure the directory has been removed, many applications when removed still store user data preferences etc, and leave behind the directory, so once you find this its just a question of deleting it.

7. Deleting Application Install Files
Did you know each time you download and install an application your computer still retains the installation file? Next time you download an application check to see where it gets saved and you’ll be surprised at how many files are located in this area and the amount space they take up.

8. Defragmenting
Once you have had your computer file cleanup a system defragment is something that can make a big difference to the speed of your computer.

When you purchase a new computer or reformat and reinstall Windows all of the files are stored contiguously or each is stored in one location, but over time you create more files, and delete files this then creates a space, now the chances of finding a file to exactly fit that area is pretty small, so what Windows does is break the file down,

it fills a space and with this what’s left gets stored in another location, this happens lots of time and a single file can be broken down and stored in up to 5 locations, which then means when you go to load the file it has to go to all these locations to load the file, meaning it can take up to 5 times as long to load, so by running a defragment it gives your computer a good computer file cleanup making each file contiguous and stored in one location.

To run a defragment go to Computer or My Computer – Right click on the drive you wish to defragment, usually the C drive and then select Properties, Tools, Defragment Now.

As you can see Windows does have its own built in computer file clean up defragmentation tool, but there are other alternatives on the market which in my opinion do a better job, checkout Aus Logics or Disk keeper.

Try to run defragmentation computer file cleanup around once every 2 weeks, the first time its run it may well take over and hour, but if run more often it may only take about 10 minutes, plus it will help your computer to keep running well

Read the next part of our Computer File Cleanup guide

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Missed the first part of our computer cleanup guide?

computer adviser computer file cleanup article