As you know, any Windows system, regardless of version, over time accumulates a huge amount of so-called computer garbage, which is why its work slows down significantly. And the tenth modification is no exception. That is why periodically cleaning Windows 10 is required. Popular methods for performing such actions are further proposed to be considered in as much detail as possible. In the meantime, let’s dwell on what this garbage is all about.
What is meant by computer trash?
Immediately it must be said that many users completely misunderstand the meaning of this term, believing that an extremely large number of files and folders on the system disk or in logical partitions belong to garbage. In a sense, it is. However, do not forget about those elements that are loaded into RAM.
However, if you classify objects that can affect the load of disk space or even the operation of the operating system itself, the most basic components can be distinguished from them. And first of all, the following should be attributed here:
- system cache, program cache, and temporary application files;
- residual activity of web browsers;
- residual program components after deletion;
- Outdated registry keys
- components loaded into memory at system startup.
Cleaning your computer from garbage: ways for Windows 10
As for the applied methods, two main ones can be distinguished among them:
- use of system own funds;
- the use of third-party programs.
Unfortunately, we don’t have to rely on our own Windows tools in the matter of how to clean a Windows 10 computer from garbage, just because it is extremely limited. The maximum that can be done is to clean the hard drive, remove unused programs and disable some startup items. There is no need to talk about any automated optimization of the same registry. And the removal of keys, if the user does not have special knowledge, is fraught with sad consequences, since the entire system may become unusable. In this regard, any (even the simplest) program to clean a Windows 10 computer from garbage looks a cut above. But let's look at both techniques.
Disk Cleanup by Standard Method
So, for starters, we will start from the fact that we need to optimize disk space in order to increase the available free space. Methods for cleaning Windows 10 from debris are quite simple.
The standard method is to go to the properties of the selected disk or logical partition in the "Explorer" through the PCM menu and use the disk cleanup button on the general settings tab. The system will first analyze it, and then give the result in the form of a list in which the items available for removal will be shown, which you just need to select and confirm their removal.
Also, cleaning your computer of garbage for Windows 10 (or any other system) may include actions with system files. This may include, for example, backup files, installed system updates (in full), driver packages, temporary files, old system files (Windows 7, 8), etc.
Updates, as well as files of the previous Windows 10 modification (the Windows.old directory), if for some reason you need to make a return, it is not recommended to delete.
Garbage removal in the "Storage" section
The tenth version of the system has a new opportunity to use the second "Control Panel", which is a menu of "Options". Cleaning your computer from garbage for Windows 10 can be done here. To do this, select the "System" section, after which the transition to the "Storage" item is performed, where the load of each section will be shown.
But here cleaning the computer from garbage for Windows 10 as a used tool has much more directions. The list will already include programs, and the system reserved space, and user documents, and downloads, and mail, and multimedia, and much more. Cleaning is done by selecting the necessary objects, followed by pressing the delete button. Again, without special knowledge, deleting the contents of the hibernation file or other system components is not recommended.
By the way, there is a tool here that allows you to automatically clear disk space. To enable it, you must set the resolution slider to the on position.
RAM usage issues
Many users may be surprised, they say, what does the RAM have to do with it. But after all, the modules loaded in RAM, hanging there with dead weight, is this not rubbish? Well, if we were talking, for example, about dynamic libraries or drivers that are currently needed for a particular application to work, but sometimes a lot of unused processes start up with the operating system, and they all just hang in RAM.
You can disable all this on the autoload tab, which is located right in the standard “Task Manager”. Just uncheck the process (or use RMB) and reboot. You can only leave the antivirus (the system usually does not disable it). But all the other bootloaders, updaters, instant messengers, agents, etc. you just need to deactivate it without fail.
Delete browser data
In browsers used to surf the Internet, garbage accumulates even faster. You just visited the page, and the site data is already saved as a cache, temporary files, image thumbnails, etc. Of course, this is done to speed up access to recently visited resources, but with excessive clutter, both the browser and the system can slow down.
In any browser, as a rule, the computer is cleared of garbage for Windows 10 in the section on deleting your browsing history or the above data. In the cleaning menu, select the history of visits and downloads, cache, temporary files and cookies, after which, if possible, set the deletion from the very beginning (although you can also set a different time period by selecting it from the corresponding drop-down list). But it is better not to touch the saved passwords unnecessarily. Similar to Edge or IE, other browsers can use automatic wipe on exit.
Program remnants
With the components that remain after the removal of applications, not everything is so simple. In most cases, your own uninstallers of programs and the system itself (and there are at least two of them) remove only the main components of the application, after which there are files, directories, and registry keys. Some are deleted upon reboot, but in most cases they have to be disposed of on their own.
To avoid such situations, packages like iObit Uninstaller or Revo Uninstaller should be used to remove programs. They can not only find all residues, but even remove their own components “sewn” into the system that cannot be uninstalled by conventional methods.
The best programs for cleaning Windows 10 from garbage
As for packages for cleaning and optimizing Windows systems, they are conditionally divided into narrowly targeted utilities (for example, RegCleaner for working with the registry) and programs for comprehensive optimization and acceleration of the system.
The most popular utilities are the following:
- CCleaner;
- Advanced SystemCare;
- Glary Utilities;
- All-in-One Toolbox;
- Auslogic BoostSpeed;
- SpeedUpMyPC;
- Comodo System Cleaner;
- Windows 10 Manager, etc.
The main modules present in applications
Almost all such packages contain cleaners and defragmenters of the disk and registry, modules for searching and fixing vulnerabilities and removing spyware, optimizers of the system or Internet connection, startup management tools, etc.
But ordinary users should be pleased with the presence of a quick optimization module in one click. Simply mark the necessary tools and click the start button to search for problems. If the automatic correction line is set active, the elimination of all identified problems and the correction of incorrect parameters will occur without their participation.
In addition, such software packages offer more flexible methods for managing various components of the system, up to their complete deactivation or removal.
Which is better to use?
So what of all this to prefer? It seems that ideally it is better to use complex optimizers, since their capabilities are much wider than that of the system tools. Established methods are best used when no such program is at hand. And some actions can be performed only with the use of system tools (for example, optimizers do not know how to check the integrity of system files and restore them).