Show Me Microsoft Windows XP (2nd Edition)

Cleaning up a disk involves removing unneeded files to make room for other files on your computer, which can be difficult if you don't know the significance of each file. You can use a Windows XP program called Disk Cleanup to clean up your hard disk drive safely and effectively. You can also empty the Recycle Bin to clear space on the hard disk. Disk Cleanup searches your drive, then lists temporary files, Internet cache files, and unnecessary program files that you can safely delete. You can select the types of files you want Disk Cleanup to delete. Before you select and delete files, make sure you will not need them in the future. Disk Cleanup also gives you the option to remove Windows components and installed programs that you no longer use.

Clean Up a Disk

Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

Wait while Disk Cleanup calculates how much space it can free up.

Select the check boxes for the folders and files you want to delete.

To view the contents of a folder, click View Files, and then click the Close button.

Click OK, and then click Yes.