02/07: 9 ways to get more free space on your hard disk in Windows XP
Are you constantly running out of hard disk space and had to spend time backing up your data to external media such as CDs, DVDs, and external hard disks in order to install a new software or game? Or did you spend some hours looking for unwanted and old files to delete? Here are some ways to free up some disk space
1. Empty your recycle bin
This is the most obvious one! Don't forget to empty your recycle bin from time to time. Consider also disabling it. To disable it, right click on the recycle bin and choose properties, and finally check 'Do Not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.' If you disable your recycle bin, be careful when deleting files.
2. Remove unwanted and unused programs
Go to your Control Panel, and choose 'Add or Remove Programs'. Go though the list of programs you have installed and remove any programs you don't use and don't need anymore.
3. Remove unwanted Windows components
This is similar to the previous tip, in your 'Add or Remove Programs', choose to the left 'Add/Remove Windows Components', this will show you a list of windows components where you can remove any not used component such as IIS if you are not hosting any web applications or even removing windows games if you don't want them.
4. Use the disk cleanup utility
This utility comes pre-installed on Windows XP, to access it, go to your start up, then programs, accessories, system tools and finally disk cleanup. The tool will scan your hard disk and show you a list of files that could be deleted. It is safe to delete 'Temporary Internet Files' and 'Temporary Files'. Others are left to your own judgment.
5. Use a Duplicate File Finder tool
After some time using your hard disk by saving, copying and moving files, you end up with some file duplicates. You need to find all these duplicates and delete them. There are a lot of freeware utilities that would do the job for you. I used Easy Duplicate Finder and it seems to do good.
6. Install and use the windows installer clean up utility
This utility is available for free by Microsoft. You can download it from Microsoft. As Microsoft says it: 'You can use the utility to remove installation information for programs that were installed by using Windows Installer. Be aware that Windows Installer CleanUp Utility will not remove the actual program from your computer. However, it will remove the installation files so that you can start the installation, upgrade, or uninstall over. '
7. Compress rarely used files
Any big files (especially text files and documents) that you access rarely should be compressed to save disk space. I recommend using Winrar for this. Winzip is also a good option.
8. Turn off 'System Restore'
In order to turn off system restore, go to your control panel, then double click on the 'System' icon. In System, choose 'System Restore' tab at the top and there you can turn it off. You can also decrease the disk space it uses (the default is 12% of your hard disk space). Be aware that turning off this feature will not allow you to restore your system to a previous point.
9. Consider upgrading your hardware
This had to be mentioned :). If after doing all the previous steps you are still running out of disk space, consider upgrading your hardware by buying a bigger hard disk, or even buying an external hard disk to store some big files (like your movies or music).
1. Empty your recycle bin
This is the most obvious one! Don't forget to empty your recycle bin from time to time. Consider also disabling it. To disable it, right click on the recycle bin and choose properties, and finally check 'Do Not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.' If you disable your recycle bin, be careful when deleting files.
2. Remove unwanted and unused programs
Go to your Control Panel, and choose 'Add or Remove Programs'. Go though the list of programs you have installed and remove any programs you don't use and don't need anymore.
3. Remove unwanted Windows components
This is similar to the previous tip, in your 'Add or Remove Programs', choose to the left 'Add/Remove Windows Components', this will show you a list of windows components where you can remove any not used component such as IIS if you are not hosting any web applications or even removing windows games if you don't want them.
4. Use the disk cleanup utility
This utility comes pre-installed on Windows XP, to access it, go to your start up, then programs, accessories, system tools and finally disk cleanup. The tool will scan your hard disk and show you a list of files that could be deleted. It is safe to delete 'Temporary Internet Files' and 'Temporary Files'. Others are left to your own judgment.
5. Use a Duplicate File Finder tool
After some time using your hard disk by saving, copying and moving files, you end up with some file duplicates. You need to find all these duplicates and delete them. There are a lot of freeware utilities that would do the job for you. I used Easy Duplicate Finder and it seems to do good.
6. Install and use the windows installer clean up utility
This utility is available for free by Microsoft. You can download it from Microsoft. As Microsoft says it: 'You can use the utility to remove installation information for programs that were installed by using Windows Installer. Be aware that Windows Installer CleanUp Utility will not remove the actual program from your computer. However, it will remove the installation files so that you can start the installation, upgrade, or uninstall over. '
7. Compress rarely used files
Any big files (especially text files and documents) that you access rarely should be compressed to save disk space. I recommend using Winrar for this. Winzip is also a good option.
8. Turn off 'System Restore'
In order to turn off system restore, go to your control panel, then double click on the 'System' icon. In System, choose 'System Restore' tab at the top and there you can turn it off. You can also decrease the disk space it uses (the default is 12% of your hard disk space). Be aware that turning off this feature will not allow you to restore your system to a previous point.
9. Consider upgrading your hardware
This had to be mentioned :). If after doing all the previous steps you are still running out of disk space, consider upgrading your hardware by buying a bigger hard disk, or even buying an external hard disk to store some big files (like your movies or music).