About Disk Cleanup

• The disk cleanup utility searches through the computer hard drive for files that are no longer of any use and removes them from the system. The files that are targeted are: temporary Internet files, downloaded program files, recycle bin, and offline files. It also offers the option of compressing old files that have not been accessed in a long period of time. Compression of old files frees up disk space while leaving the option to access the files as needed rather than deleting them.
  
  

How to Run Disk Cleanup

• You can run disk cleanup on your computer one of the following three ways:
  
  Click "Start" on the bottom left hand side of your computer screen. Select all programs. Choose accessories. Select "System tools" and click on "Disk cleanup".
  
  Click "Start" on the bottom left hand side of your computer screen. A box will appear. Click "Run". A new box will appear. Type "cleanmgr" in the box and click "OK".
  
  In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right click the drive that you wish you cleanup. Click on "Properties". Select the "General" tab, then click disk cleanup.
  
  

Running Disk Cleanup While Working Online

• Many people wonder whether or not it is safe to work online while running disk cleanup. The answer is, yes. It is perfectly fine to continue browsing the Internet while running disk cleanup on your computer. While it can affect the speed of the Internet connection, you shouldn't notice much of a change in functionality.
  
  

Disk Defragmenter

• It is wise to run the disk defragmenter on your computer after doing a disk cleanup. Disk defragmenter is designed to increase computer speed by rearranging files. It also improves start up times on a computer.
  
  To run the disk defragmenter after running disk cleanup, click "Start" on the bottom left hand side of your computer screen. Select all programs. Choose accessories. Select "System tools" and click on "Disk defragmenter".