As you know, in Windows-systems computer garbage accumulates at a catastrophic rate, which can affect not only the reduction of free space on the system disk or in logical partitions, but even on the speed of the system. It is clear that this needs to be monitored. However, not all users know how to properly clean the computer of unnecessary files using some simple methods. Even fewer are aware of what system components can be eliminated without disrupting Windows. Further, it is proposed to consider several main areas of action related to the removal of unnecessary trash that lies in the system, as they say, dead weight.
How to clean your computer from unnecessary files: what can I get rid of?
So, first we look at the system partition in which the operating system is installed (usually this is drive “C”). As a rule, it is not recommended to touch anything here. The only exceptions are the residual directories and files of remote programs (they can be in user folders and in program directories), as well as documents of registered users. You will have to get rid of all other components that can be painlessly removed using software methods rather than manual removal (although you can perform such procedures, but they will take more time and effort).
Primitive method of freeing up disk space
First, let's see how you can clean your computer of unnecessary files in the simplest way that every user is familiar with. Typically, in the process of work, many people delete files and folders by placing them in the "Recycle Bin", quite naively believing that after such a deletion the disk space is freed. Nothing like this! Objects placed in the "Recycle Bin" are still stored on the hard drive, but only in a different area, which is reserved by the operating system for these needs.
A simple example: find an unnecessary file of a sufficiently large volume (say, 200-300 megabytes), look at the size of the partition in which it is located, delete the file in the Trash and check the free space again. No change, right?
Now empty the Recycle Bin and look again at the unallocated space. There is a difference? That's it!
Standard system tool: easy cleaning and deleting system files
Next, you need to figure out how to quickly clean your computer of unnecessary files, using Windows tools for this, if you do not have a suitable automated utility at hand.
In the "Explorer", select the desired section and through the PCM menu, call the properties section. Right on the main tab, click the disk cleanup button, wait for the scan results to appear, select the necessary items in the list and delete them. But this is only the simplest thing that can be done. The tool in question has one interesting additional feature.
In addition to what was presented in the list, you can remove some components in the form of system files (components of previous Windows installations to roll back to the previous state, update files, etc.). To access this function, click the corresponding button, and then do the same as in the previous example, highlighting and deleting unnecessary elements. This method allows you to clear the space already a little more (a few gigabytes so sure).
Temporary system components
Temporary Windows files can be removed from the list above. However, objects located in the AppData user directory may not be deleted. How to clean the computer disk from unnecessary files in this directory? Nothing complicated!
Call the menu “Run” (Win + R), in the command input field, enter the line% temp% and click “OK”. returned results can be deleted in the usual way.
Note: note that deleted objects will be placed in the Recycle Bin, so then you will have to clean it again. To delete them without placing them in the "Trash", use the combination Shift + Del.
Actions with installed programs and system updates
If we talk about how to completely clean the computer of unnecessary files, we cannot but touch upon issues related to installed applications, many of which can be used extremely rarely or not at all. Some programs during their installation are able to install additional (most often affiliate) software, which can take up a lot of space. If we summarize the entire space occupied by such applets, the size can be quite impressive.
In this situation, pay attention to the program and component section by calling it from the standard “Control Panel”. For convenience, use sorting according to convenient criteria (installation date, size, name, etc.). Everything that you do not use in your daily work should be deleted. But to do this using Windows is undesirable, because after this there may be files and folders that will have to be deleted manually. In addition, if you do not know exactly which components should be removed, the process can drag on indefinitely.
So isn’t it easier to immediately apply specially designed programs for this?
One of the most powerful utilities of our time is iObit Uninstaller. It first starts the standard process of uninstalling the selected application (or several in batch mode), then activates a powerful scan, and then deletes all found directories and files, including the registry keys.
But this is not limited to the package. It is able to remove even applications built into the operating system that cannot be removed with conventional methods (except for using the command line or PowerShell console, which is an impossible task for an ordinary user without special knowledge).
To do this, look at the Windows applications section, where you can remove unnecessary applets.
Exactly the same actions can be performed with installed service packs, however, if the system automatically receives and installs them, this will not give effect. It is better to use the “Update Center” for a while to turn off the automatic mode, uninstall unnecessary packages, set a manual search for available updates, and exclude from the list those that do not need to be installed. Upon completion, the automatic mode can be returned to normal.
Web browsing trash
Web browsers for collecting computer trash in the form of temporary files, cookies, cached images and the like are the real Klondike. The presence of such objects and the disk clogs, and reduces the speed of the browsers themselves.
Therefore, timely cleaning should be done regularly. How to clean the computer from unnecessary files in this situation?
Use the browser settings, in which select the delete history item, then mark the above objects and get rid of them. If possible, set the automatic cleaning switch when exiting the browser to active. So you don’t have to deal with manual cleaning.
Virtual memory
Finally, a few words on how to clean the computer of unnecessary system-type files. The page file is responsible for the reservation of disk space for the needs of virtual memory, which is used in case of operational memory overflow. Despite the size set by the system, which is shown in the settings, in fact, this component takes up three times more space. This is according to the most conservative estimates.
Therefore, in the settings, you should turn off automatic sizing and activate the “Without swap file” item, and after saving the options, perform a full restart of the system. This operation is performed for all disks and partitions.
Warning: if you are not sure of your knowledge, or if the computer system configuration matches only the minimum requirements of the installed version of Windows, it’s best not to do such things.
Hibernation
You can free up space in the system partition by deleting the hibernation file. Just delete it manually does not work.
To automatically delete it, you need to disable the hibernation mode itself by executing the command powercfg –h off with a subsequent reboot on a command line that is run exclusively with administrator rights.
Optimizer Programs
To simplify some actions, it is advisable to use optimizer applications in which there are modules for cleaning system and logical partitions. Programs like Advanced SystemCare, CCleaner, All-in-One Toolbox and the like will do just fine. True, they do not know how to work with disabling the system components described above. If such a need has matured, it is better to use a program that cleans the computer from unnecessary files. By the way, disabling at the same time the idle components of the Windows 7 (8, 10) Manager operating system.
How to clear computer memory from unnecessary program files loaded into RAM?
Finally, a few words about cleaning RAM. The process boils down to unloading heavy-weight DLLs from RAM. In this situation, you can take advantage of the completion of processes in the "Task Manager", which will take quite a while, or use automated utilities like KCleaner, Mz RAM Booster, Mem Reduct, etc.
If you wish, you can create a file in Notepad above the above contents, save it as a script with the VBS extension, and then run the created script to start cleaning.
Note: in the above example, the amount of RAM is 3 GB. You can calculate your size by the formula: "Your volume in GB x 1024 x 100 000."