Disk Cleanup

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You need to run Disk Cleanup once a week or two to keep your file system healthy.  Disk Cleanup is available from your start menu:

Start Menu->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Cleanup.

You can run this program anytime you want.  Other programs that are running will not interfere with it.

You should also delete any files from your Temp folder.  Any files stored here are good candidates for deletion.  Setup programs use the Temp folder to store files during installation, and often do not clean up after themselves. Other programs store data in the Temp folder.  Files often are left in the Temp folder if there is a power failure, or if the computer is powered down without shutting down Windows.  You may find that new programs will not install correctly if the Temp folder contains garbage.

The Temp folder is usually under the following location for Windows 95, 98 or ME:

C:\Windows\Temp

The Temp folder is usually under the following location for Windows XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\<Your User Name>\Local Settings\Temp

(where <Your User Name> is the location of your personal files under Documents and Settings).

You will have to be able to view hidden files to access this folder.  Here's how.

However, it is sometimes elsewhere.  To find out where it resides on your machine, follow these steps:

1. Open an MS-DOS prompt.  This is usually under Start Menu->Programs->MS-DOS Prompt.
2. Enter the following command:
       SET
3. Look for a line that begins with TEMP=
   (i.e. TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP)
   This indicates the location of your temp folder.
4. Navigate to this folder using My Computer or Explorer.

Note: you can also delete all files from a folder designated by TMP= as returned by the SET command at the MS-DOS prompt.

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