When you utilize a Windows PC, it will have a "C" drive generally main drive. Chances there will be a second hard drive, or main drive will be partitioned. In either case, system will feature a "D" drive. About definitely eventually run out of space on D drive, or need to clean it sometime. Hard drives can be cleaned in three simple steps, and you must take time to do so. Although a drive is not totally full, you must at least remove junk files, which serve completely no purpose on PC except to slow it down.

Instructions

1. Step 1

Go to start, then "My Computer." Find D drive. Right tick icon as highlighted and menu that appears, click "Properties." This shows a pie graph that displays how much of D drive is utilized and how much free space is left. It is good to know this data so you can have a base beginning point and choose how much of D drive wants cleaning. If D drive is less then 50 percent full, no cleaning is needed. From 50 percent to 75 percent, cleaning is elective. Any percentage above 75 percent, the drive must be cleaned.

2. Step 2

Clean Windows momentary, or "Temp," folders. Tick "Start" then "Run..." and a box appears. Where is tells "Open" and cursor is blinking type "%temp%". This opens Temp folder. All is in this folder is secure to delete. Push "Ctrl" and "A" both together to choose all folders, then "Shift" and "Del" together to permanently delete folders. This will avoid the recycle bin.

If you only want to delete folders so they go to recycle bin, with all folders chosen, just push "Del". Then you still have choice of restoring them later.

3. Step 3

Delete "Temp" files. This is Cache and browsing history on PC. For XP Users: Tick "Start" then "Control Panel,", then "Internet Options" and when window appears click on "General" tab. In this under "Browser History," tick "Delete" button. This deletes all browsing history and cache files from PC.

For Vista and IE8 user tick "Start" then "Control Panel" then "Network and Internet" then "Internet Options." When that opens, tick "Safety" button and then "Delete Browsing History." Click the boxes beside names of files you want to delete. This places a check mark in boxes. If you want to save passwords and other browser data form sites below "Favorites" bookmark, check the box for "Preserve Favorite Website Data." Then click "Delete."

For all other editions of IE tick "Start" then "Control Panel" and then "Internet Options". When box opens up, tick "General" tab and below "Browsing History," click "Delete," then "Delete All" and then lastly, "OK" to confirm you want to delete all files.

4. Step 4

Defragment the hard drive. For XP users: tick "Start," "My Computer," then right-click drive you want to defragment and click "Properties," then click "Tools" tab. Click on "Defragment Now," and "Disk Defragmenter" window opens. There are two buttons "Analyze" and "Defragment." Click "Defragment" and it will mechanically begin. This can take from 20 minutes to four hours to finish, based on size of drive and its contents.

For Windows Vista users tick "Start" button, then "All Programs" then "Accessories." then right tick on "Command Prompt" and then "Run as Administrator." When command box opens, type in precisely "defrag D: -w" without quotes. It will mechanically run defragmenter and tell you when it is completed.

5. Step 5

Blank the "Recycle Bin." On desktop, right tick on "Recycle Bin" and then "Empty Contents of Recycle Bin." You can open it to view its contents before blanking it. Right tick on icon; click on "View Contents" and it will open like any other window. Then delete all files permanently as window is open.