Any operating system of the Windows family accumulates a large amount of garbage as it works. These include tmp directory files, registry entries created by programs but not used, logs, logs, and site cache. All this helps to reduce the speed of the computer. This article will provide information on how to clean the computer of debris, speed up the response time of applications, make working with the OS more comfortable.
If you do not perform these actions regularly, the speed of opening context menus, folders, and launching programs will slow down. Free space on the hard drive will decrease all the time, which will lead to freezes or even inability to load the operating system.
Windows Tools
You should start the story about programs that can clean your computer with the built-in utility. It works less efficiently than third-party products. It is worth paying attention to users who rarely work at a computer, as well as those who do not have rights or the ability to install software. The default utility is included with all modern versions of Windows. To run it in any OS, just enter the string "cleanmgr" in the input field of the "Run" window. Now it remains only to click on "OK". The main utility window will be displayed. In it, you need to specify which section the program will continue to work with.
HDD analysis will continue for several minutes. Its speed is affected by the size of the hard disk, the percentage of defragmentation, the time elapsed since the last launch of a similar operation. When the scan is completed, the utility will provide a superficial report and offer to select file groups for deletion. A check box is located next to each item, and on the contrary, the number of megabytes of information occupied is written.
To clean the computer, select the check boxes next to the names of all groups. Click on "OK" and confirm your intention. To remove more unnecessary information from the HDD partitions in the main utility window, click on the "Clear system files" button. Using the approach described above, it will take no more than 10 minutes to complete all the actions. As mentioned earlier, standard Windows tools are ineffective, which means that during the scan the utility did not find all the garbage.
3rd party products
One of the most popular PC optimization software is CCleaner. Many users give preference to it, since it is possible to clear the computer’s memory with this tool in just a couple of clicks. The application interface is as simple and straightforward as possible, so even an inexperienced user will not need to study the reference manual.
Installation
CCleaner is an absolutely free product, so you should download it only from the official resource. In addition to the opportunity to get the latest version of the utility, you will know for sure that you do not infect your PC with a virus. The program requires installation before cleaning the computer. Windows after starting the installer will warn the user about the danger of executable files downloaded from the global network. Follow these steps:
- Select "Yes."
- A window will appear on the display. In it you need to select the language, which is preferable to use in the interface.
- After clicking on the inscription "Next" the user will be available to preset. All parameters will be clear to any user who at least once installed programs in Windows.
- Now it remains only to click on the "Install" inscription and wait for the process to complete. Installation is quick. It will take one to two minutes.
How to clean your computer: delete temporary documents
The inscription "Cleaning" is located in the main window of the program. After clicking on it, the utility will perform an analysis, the function of which is similar to that organized in the built-in tool. The columns on the left indicate the names of groups of files that will subsequently be deleted. Some of them are checked by default. Check the boxes next to unnecessary files. Click on the inscription "Analysis" and wait for the application to collect data. At the time the function completes, the amount of system garbage affects.
After scanning, a window with a detailed report will appear on the screen. It will be possible to view the location of all deleted documents and the amount of data to be freed. To clean the computer, click on the appropriate button. Files important to the operating system will not be deleted. However, if you do not want to get rid of your browser history or Windows error logs, you should first examine the report and carefully review the names of the groups that are checked.
System registry
In general, the speed of the computer depends little on the garbage in the registry. However, the mess in it negatively affects the stability of specific programs. Partitions and records should be cleaned when utilities that functioned normally started to crash abruptly. If it is impossible to install new applications due to errors during the installation process, it makes sense to do registry optimization:
- Click on the icon with the signature "Registry" in the left block of the program.
- Without removing the check boxes, click on "Search".
- The utility will start scanning, which will last several minutes.
- After its completion, click on "Fix".
- CCleaner will offer to back up data that it will subsequently erase.
- After selection, the display will show a window with detailed information about the deleted partitions and keys. There is a "Fix" button in it, which you should click on.
Service
The "Service" section of the CCleaner utility provides the user with several tools for manipulating the operating system settings, installed applications, and hard disk partitions. The main features of this section that you should pay attention to are installing programs and managing startup records.
It includes those applications that run either with Windows or after a user logs in. Startup should be cleaned of unnecessary or rarely used programs. It is unlikely that it will be possible to speed up the computer using this method, but the OS boot time will noticeably decrease. The application uninstall feature is completely similar to the standard Windows tool. Advantages of CCleaner - greater visibility and quick access to functionality.
Revo uninstaller
Revo Uninstaller differs from most programs aimed at removing garbage from the computer's HDD. If the bulk of utilities erases already accumulated data, then Revo Uninstaller is struggling with one of the reasons for PC clutter - incorrect removal of software. During its operation, the application monitors the activity of programs, remembers which files were created after each specific one, what data was written to the registry and changed in it.
By deleting the program using Revo Uninstaller, the user can be 100% sure that there is no garbage left on the computer associated with it. Utilities installed prior to equipping the application in question are also uninstalled without leaving any tails. This is possible thanks to the integrated sophisticated analysis system. It is enough for the user to click on the "Uninstall" item, and after scanning, select all the labels with checkmarks. Anyone who likes to fully control the work of programs will be able to study a detailed report. It contains all the paths to the files and registry settings that will be deleted.
Conclusion
Remember: cleaning your computer once is not enough. Windows of any version requires regular service. The more programs installed in the operating system, the more often the work is done on a PC, the less maintenance intervals should be.