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Back to Basics
Next, it's time to clean out unnecessary files. This is a multi-step process that encompasses deleting temporary files, emptying your Recycle Bin, deleting cookies and removing old files. We'll take you through each item step by step.
First, delete your Temporary Files. Temporary files can be in more than
one folder, so we've included instructions to help you find most of their
hiding places. Start with a disk cleanup by double-clicking on My
Computer, right-clicking the icon for your C: drive, then choosing
Properties. Next, click the Disk Cleanup
button. If you don't have a Disk Cleanup button, just
move on to the steps below to accomplish basically the same results.
We usually think of temporary files as the files created while on the
internet. These files are usually stored in the Temporary Internet Files
folder. In Internet Explorer, these files are deleted when you click on
Tools, then Internet Options and click
on "delete files".
Another type of temporary file is created every time you open a program. These files should be automatically closed or deleted when you exit the program; however, this is not always the case. These temporary files could be located anywhere on your computer. The best way to find and delete them is to use the Search utility built into Windows.
To access this utility, click on Start, then Search
(or Find), then select All Files and
Folders. In the box indicating the file name (the cursor usually
blinks in this box after you click Files and Folders) type *.tmp.
Finally, check to ensure that the Hard Drive C is selected
for the Look In: box and click Search. Once the files
pop up, you can delete them (click Edit, Select All, Delete).
Second, don't forget to empty your Recycle Bin. It is a good idea to look at the files in the recycle bin before you empty everything, just to make sure nothing of value will be deleted.
Third, delete your cookies. Cookies used to be stored in one folder,
but not any more. Many websites hide cookies on your computer specifically
so that they cannot be deleted easily. To find all cookies on your computer,
use the Search utility built into Windows. This is the same utility you
use to find temporary files. Just click on Start, then
Search (or Find) and select All
Files and Folders. In the box indicating the file name (the cursor
usually blinks in this box after you click Files and Folders) type *cookie*
Once again, be sure that the Hard Drive C is selected
for the Look In. Then click Search.
However, before you click on the Edit, Select All and Delete options,
note that if you delete the cookies for any sites that have a login ID
and password for, your browser may lose these settings. You will need
to remember the ID and password after you delete the cookies, or you can
selectively choose to keep the cookies for those sites.
Your search results may include folders as well as files. If so, double-click
on the folder. Within the folder, you can delete all of the cookies by
selecting Edit, Select All and depressing the delete
key on your keyboard. The index.dat file cannot be deleted. You will receive
a message stating that the file cannot be deleted, click OK
if you receive this message.
Finally, delete old files. This may be the most difficult step of all
because you may need to spend time reviewing the files before deleting
them. Pictures and music files use a lot of disk space and are healthy
targets for cleaning out your system to obtain better performance. You
can search your hard drive for pictures by using the Search utility (Start,
Search (or Find), All Files and Folders).
In the box indicating the file name (the cursor usually blinks in this
box after you click Files and Folders) type *.jpg (or
*.gif or other appropriate extension for your pictures). As always, be
sure that the Hard Drive C is selected for the Look
In. To preview the pictures before deleting, select View,
Thumbnails. Delete any pictures that you do not need.
To find and delete music files, you can search for files that have an
extension of *.mp3 or the appropriate extension for your
music files.
A final housekeeping measure is to turn your computer off - RAM does not clear with a restart, but needs a complete system shut-down. If you leave your computer on all of the time, we suggest that you turn it off at least once a week if not daily to flush out the old files and clear up your memory.
Copyright 2003 FAR