Windows 7
General File Cleanup
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These are the following common locations I where
like to delete unnecessary files. This can speed up the operating system and
help reduce the time it takes to run virus scans as well as defrag the computer. |
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The TEMP directory |
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1. | An easy way to get there is to click on Start
the type in %temp% |
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2. | Press Ctrl-A to highlight everything in the
right hand panel and press Shift-Delete. |
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3. | This deletes them permanently and doesn't send
them to the Recycle Bin |
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The Software Distribution / Download
Directory
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1. | This contains the files that are downloaded when
you update the Microsoft files. Once they are updated, you don't need the
files any longer. |
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2. | Start the Windows Explorer |
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3. | Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download |
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4. | Press Ctrl-A to highlight everything in the
right hand panel and press Shift-Delete. |
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Internet Cache Files |
IE 8
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1. | Tools |
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2. | Internet Options |
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3. | Under Browsing History - Delete button |
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4. | I typically only delete Temporary Internet files
and History. I usually leave Cookies since they often contain information
for web sites I frequent that i don't want to enter in every time. |
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5. | Click on the Delete button |
Firefox
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1. | Tools |
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2. | Clear Recent History (Ctrl-Shift-Del) |
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3. | Click on Details |
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4. | Select the Time range to clear |
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5. | Check only those items you want to clear |
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6. | Click on the Clear Now button |
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Google Chrome
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1. | Click on the tools icon on the upper right hand
corner |
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2. | Select Clear Browsing Data
(Ctrl-Shift-Del) |
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3. | Check what you want to clear |
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4. | Select the period of time you want to clear the
data |
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5. | Click on the Clear Browsing Data button |
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Windows TEMP Directory |
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1. | Start the Windows Explorer |
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2. | Go to C:\Windows\Temp |
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3. | Press Ctrl-A to highlight everything in the
right hand panel and press Shift-Delete. |
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4. | This deletes them permanently and doesn't send
them to the Recycle Bin |
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The Recycle Bin |
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1. | Right click on the Recycle bin |
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2. | Select Empty Recycle Bin |
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Other Program's Cache Directories
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1. | There are other programs like Adobe Photoshop and
Lightroom which cache the thumbnails of the graphic files you edit. This may
speed up the program somewhat, but over time I've seen it add gigs of extra
files that you may want to clean on a regular basis. See each individual program
for the specifics on where those files are kept and the easiest way to delete
them. |
