You can clean up your computer's hard drive using system applications and utilities. They allow you to automatically delete temporary files, manually get rid of unnecessary data, and also completely erase all information - the choice is yours. Some types of external disks - flash drives, floppy disks, external hard drives - can also be cleaned in this way, while others - CD / DVD disks - will require the use of additional programs.
Instructions
Step 1
If you need to clear any disk volume from temporary files unused by the operating system and application programs, open the properties window of this disk. To do this, start the "Explorer", right-click the icon of the desired object and select the "Properties" line in the context menu.
Step 2
On the Properties tab, next to the graph showing free and used space, there is a Disk Cleanup button - click it. A warning will appear on the screen stating that it may take several minutes for the list of unnecessary files to be compiled. Wait for the system program to finish running.
Step 3
In the list of files that will be placed on the "Disk Cleanup" tab of the window that appears after the process is complete, check the boxes opposite those groups of files that you do not mind. By highlighting each line, you can read an explanation of the purpose of this group of files. Start the cleaning process by pressing the OK button.
Step 4
In the same window there is one more tab - "Advanced". It is divided into two sections, and each has a "Clear" button. Click the top one if you want to open the list of installed applications and free up disk space by uninstalling some of them. Use the lower one to access the list of saved restore points - deleting old and unused ones can also increase free disk space.
Step 5
If you need a total disk cleanup of all files, select the "Format" command by clicking the icon of the required disk in the "Explorer" window with the right mouse button. This command brings up the operation settings window. In it, you can choose the type of file system and the size of the cluster, set the volume label, and also choose fast formatting or long, but more thorough data destruction. The procedure is started by pressing the "Start" button.
