How to Use Your Free Windows Disk Cleanup Utility

Your Windows computer, no matter what version it is (XP/Vista/7/8) accumulates some useless/junk data and files from the day to day work that you do in it.

In time, temporary files which come in the form of browsing history, download files, log reports, recycle bin items etc, become crowded in folders and directories causing your machine to slow down. It is important to do a regular disk cleanup to ensure optimum machine performance and avoid being infected with malwares that may have gained access to your computer after you browsed the web.

Deleting these files manually by looking for the folders and directories to empty them one by one is a tedious task, but it can be done much easier with the Disk Cleanup Utility.

Here are some simple steps to follow in performing a disk cleanup on your Windows 7 computer:

  1. Click the “Start” button on the lower left corner of your screen.
  2. In the search box, type Disk Cleanup.
  3. Click Disk Cleanup under the “Programs” category on the search results.
  4. In the window that appears, click the dropdown button and choose the drive that you want to cleanup (Drives C: or D: commonly), Click OK. The system will then calculate and search for files to be cleaned up.
  5. You can then “check” the type of files that you want to be deleted or “uncheck” the ones that you want to be retained on your hard drive then Click OK.
  6. Click “Delete Files”. Wait until the next window completes deleting all useless/junk files and you’re done!

Perform a disk cleanup regularly, typically once a week depending on how often you use your computer and you’re sure to get a faster and better Windows machine!