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Pakistan

Computer Maintenance

By Khaled Huthaily

2. Manual Cleaning

Unfortunately, Disk Cleanup is not enough to clean your computer from unnecessary files. To solve this issue, a number of companies have made programs that can do what Disk Cleanup does not do. One of the programs that I recommend is Window Washer . However, if you don't want to spend money on buying such programs, I will show you which files you can safely delete from your computer without harming the operating system.

To be able to do manual cleaning, make sure that you can see all the hidden files and folders on your computer. Windows XP hides some system files and folders so that only professionals can access them. Well, by the end of this tutorial you will be professionals ! I will show you how to make hidden files and folders visible for the purpose of performing manual cleaning SAFELY.

How to Make Hidden Files and Folders Visible:

1. Open "My Computer" or any folder on your computer.
2. Select "Tools" from the menu bar.
3. Open "Folder Options"
4. Select the "View" tab.
5. By default, the "Hidden Files and Folders" option will show "Do not show hidden files and folders". Select "Show Hidden Files and Folders".
6. Click on "OK" [or, "Apply" and then "OK"].

Note, if you want to hide the files and folders, select "Do not show hidden files and folders."

Now, here is how to clean your computer manually from unnecessary files:

1. Delete all the files in the Temp folder of the operating system. Here is the location: C:\WINDOWS\Temp .
2. Delete all the files in the Prefetch folder of the operating system. Here is the location: C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch .
3. Now, open the location C:\Documents and Settings . Depending on the name you use to log on to your computer, open the folder that shows that name.
4. Delete all the files in the Recent folder of Microsoft Office. Here is the location C:\Documents and Settings\ COMPUTER USER AS I EXPLAINED IT IN STEP 3 ABOVE \Application Data\Microsoft\Office\Recent .
5. Delete all the files in the Temp folder of the user's Local Settings. Here is the location: C:\Documents and Settings\ COMPUTER USER AS I EXPLAINED IT IN STEP 3 ABOVE \Local Settings\Temp .

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