Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to
Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also
select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk cleanUp,
More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System
Restore point.
It is likely that an allocation of 12% has been made to System Restore
on your C partition which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700
mb. Right click your My Computer icon on the Desktop and select
Properties, System Restore. Place the cursor on your C partition
select Settings and the slider and drag it to the left until it reads
700 mb and exit. When you get to the Settings screen click on Apply
and OK and exit. This will create 1.2 gb free disk space.
If your hard drive is formatted as NTFS another potential gain arises
with your operating system on your C partition. In the Windows
Directory of your C partition you will have some uninstall folders in
your Windows folder typically: $NtServicePackUninstall$ and
$NtUninstallKB282010$ etc. These files may be compressed or not
compressed. If compressed the text of the folder name appears in blue
characters. If not compressed you can compress them. Right click on
each folder and select Properties, General, Advanced and check the box
before Compress contents to save Disk Space. On the General Tab you
can see the amount gained by deducting the size on disk from the size.
Folder compression is only an option on a NTFS formatted drive /
partition.
Another default setting which could be wasteful is that for temporary
internet files especially if you do not store offline copies on disk.
The default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude to
offline copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer
select Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files,
Settings to make the change. At the same time look at the number of
days history is held.
The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. On your
drive 5% should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor on
your Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and move
the slider from 10% to 5%. Selecting global will make the change apply
also to your D partition, where the saving in disk space will be even
more significant.
Another saving of disk space can be achieved if you do not use
hibernation.
The items listed above create long term savings on your C drive.
On your system, System Restore should not be monitoring your D drive.
Right click on your My Computer icon , select Properties, System
Restore, place the cursor on D drive, click on Settings and click on
the box before Turn off System Restore on this drive. Click on OK,
Apply, OK and exit. Restart the computer for the change to take
effect.
Other ways to increase free disk space on your C partition can be
achieved by relocation of folders.
For Temporary Internet Files select Start, Control Panel, Internet
Options, Temporary Internet Files. Settings, Move Folder.
To move the Outlook Express Store Folder select in Outlook Express
Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder, Change.
http://www.tomsterdam.com/insideoe/files/store.htm
How to Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310147
You may also need to change Default File locations in the Microsoft
Office programmes you choose to move the My Documents folder. For Word
go to Tools, Options, File Locations, highlight Documents, click on
Modify and change file path. For Excel go to Tools, Options, General
and change default file path.
My Documents is one of a number of system created Special Folders
including My Pictures and My Music. These can more easily be relocated
using Tweak Ui. Download TweakUI, one of the MS powertoys, from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp
In TweakUi select My Computer, Special Folders. You can scroll down to
see the full list of Special Folders to the left of the Change
Location button.
You can opt to relocate your programmes folder but in your situation I
do not feel that is necessary and there are arguments in favour of
leaving it where it is.
You should use Disk CleanUp regularly to Empty your Recycle Bin and
Remove Temporary Internet Files. Whenever you remove redundant files
you should always run Disk Defragmenter by selecting Start, All
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. You will most
likely have problems running Disk Defragmenter if there is less than
15% free disk space in your XP partition.
The routine above does not remove all unnecessary clutter from your
hard disk, especially if there is more than one user Logon,
cCleaner does a better clean.
http://www.ccleaner.com/ccdownload.asp
http://www.ccleaner.com/
With any cleaner you need to proceed with caution. To be safe you
should create a restore point before using cCleaner. cCleaner also
offers backup before removal.
When using cCleaner think twice before checking Autocomplete Form
History under Internet Explorer. You do get a warning but this one has
irritating consequences. You may need to restore your system's
recollection of passwords after use so keep a record off computer so
that they can easily be re-entered. Leave the Scan for Issues option
alone.
If you are using the Norton Protected Recycle Bin or Rollback RX Pro
these can create significant free disk space issues. The programmes
create hidden folders which can grow to colossal sizes.
--
Hope this helps.
Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
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