VCCC May 3 2006
Todays tutorial is about hard drive cleanup and disk defragmenting.
Computers are like our homes if we don't take the trash and clutter out it will soon become very hard to get around.. The computer is the same way, if unnecessary files are not removed on a regular basis the computer slows down and is not nearly as efficient. Have any of you noticed your computer becoming more sluggish? It could be because the clutter has not been cleaned out for some time.
Internet Explorer is one of the worst offenders for filling up your hard drive with junk. It saves all sorts of junk from the sites you visit so that it can go back to those files instead of downloading them again from the Web. It certainly fills up your hard drive.
There are three basic things that need to be done on a regular basis: Internet Explorer cleanup, hard drive cleanup and disk defragment. Microsoft provides ways to get the job done at no cost to you.
I think the easiest way in the long run to accomplish this is to create a folder on the desktop with shortcuts to to the necessary programs. Then you can find and use the programs easily.
Plan A. Put the necessary shortcuts on the desktop.
To find Disk Defragmenter: go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter, right click, Send To, Desktop (create shortcut).
Disk Cleanup is located in the same folder as Disk Defragmenter.: go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup, right click, Send To Desktop (create shortcut).
The Internet Explorer shortcut is probably already on the desktop. If not it will be in the quick launch or start programs.
Now on the Desktop create a folder named Monthly Cleanup. To do this on the desktop right click, select New, Folder. Then name the folder. (Monthly Cleanup)
Then put the shortcuts in the folder named Monthly Cleanup. Hint right click copy and paste to the Monthly Cleanup folder or drag and drop.
This is the reference page for disk cleanup
(Plan A) Run the programs. This is important, clean up the files first. Run Disk Defragment last.
Open the Monthly Cleanup folder.
Open Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and then Internet Options at the bottom. In this window you can Delete Cookies, Delete Files and Clear History—each separate buttons. This should go a long way toward opening up some more space on your hard drive.
Now run Disk Cleanup. Select the disk you wish to cleanup. Make sure all the boxes are checked then click Ok.. It may take awhile for the cleanup process. If there is more than one disk do each one.
Now run Disk Defragmenter last. Select the disk you wish to defragment and click on analyze. It takes only a few seconds and gives you a report and a recommendation. Defragment your drive if the report recommends such action. If there is more than one disk do each one. Disk Defragmenter may run for a long time. This is normal.
Some of you have cleanup programs such as Ad-Aware. Shortcuts may be placed in the Monthly Cleanup folder and the programs can be accessed from there.
If you don't want to create a folder then use Plan B.
This is important clean up the files first. Run Disk Defragment last.
With Internet Explorer open, go to the Tools menu and then Internet Options at the bottom. In this window you can Delete Cookies, Delete Files and Clear History—each separate buttons.
Disk Cleanup. (Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup) Select the disk you wish to cleanup. Make sure all the boxes are checked then click Ok.. It may take awhile for the cleanup process. If there is more than one disk do each one.
Run any other cleanup programs such as Ad-Aware
Defragment your hard drive last. (Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.) Select the disk you wish to defragment and click on analyze. It takes only a few seconds and gives you a report and recommendation. Defragment your drive if the report recommends such action.
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