Tech cleanup: Files and folders taking valuable storage from your PC
It happens. The longer we keep our devices, the more cluttered they become.
Open your phone’s app tray for a great example. How many are sitting there that you haven’t opened in months or years? This clutter isn’t just annoying — it can be dangerous, too. Tap or click to delete apps you’re not using.
On your PC, your Start menu is probably a mess, too. That’s easy to clean up, and you’ll thank yourself every time you click it. Tap or click for quick steps to banish the junk.
Then there are all those files you genuinely don’t need. Keep reading for your easy action plan to free up some space like a pro.
Step 1: Empty the Recycle Bin
When you delete a file, it’s not gone. It first goes to the Recycle Bin, waiting for you to take more permanent action. To get them out of purgatory, right-click on your Recycle Bin and click Empty Recycle Bin.
Here’s another option that shows you even more files: Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. You’ll see a list of temporary files, including the contents of the Recycle Bin. Check the Recycle Bin box (and anything else you want to get rid of), then select Remove files.
Deleting old photos, documents and spreadsheets is just the beginning. This 5-minute tech fix will help you speed up your PC.
Step 2: Clear temporary files
Temporary files are created to help apps or processes go off without a hitch — or to help with transferring data and other processes. Over time, they can take up a lot of space. To clear them, open your C: drive and select the Windows folder, then Temp (C:WindowsTemp). Press Ctrl + A to select everything, then hit Delete.
You can also navigate to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. Select what you want to delete and hit Remove files.
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Our phones and computers can only hold so many photos. Considering an average of nearly 2 trillion photos are taken yearly, it is no wonder we run out of space. Are you ready for your close-up?
In addition to photos, we have to worry about documents and applications that take up space on our devices. Ever try to download a software update and get that horrific pop-up telling you, we’re sorry, you don’t have enough space? Tap or click here for ways an all-in-one cloud backup will simplify your life.
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Your PC is likely full of files and programs you seldom or never use. There are apps you used once or twice before forgetting about them. Then there are registry files, failed downloads and bloatware that sneaks onto your computer without your knowledge. In addition to taking up storage space, all that clutter slows your computer down.
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