Buzz
As mentioned earlier, working with Windows 10 updates and patches is essential for smooth system operation. However, over time, unnecessary files can overcrowd your hard drive. Clearing them out will free up space for more important tasks. Discover 5 ways to clean up your hard drive on Windows 10 with Mytour.
Streamline Your Windows 10 Hard Drive with These 5 Tips
Remove unnecessary folders
Although seemingly basic, this step is crucial in freeing up disk space. Manually searching and deleting can be time-consuming. Luckily, Windows offers cleanup features to aid you. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Open This PC/File Explorer
Step 2: Right-click on the partition you want to clean up and select Properties. If there are no specific settings, the partition containing the operating system needs cleanup.
Step 3: In the window that appears, select Disk Cleanup and wait for your computer to scan the files on the partition
Step 4: Once the scan is complete, proceed to select Clean up system files
Step 5: Choose the items you want to delete, then click Ok. A new window will appear, select Delete files to complete the process
Delete old backups
Windows 10 allows users to back up all data in the system partition similar to Ghost for rescue purposes. You might have created unnecessary backups leading to wasted disk space. To address this, follow these steps:
Step 1: Type Control into the search bar and select Control Panel
Step 2: Choose System and Security -> File History
Step 3: On the left navigation bar, select Advanced Settings
Step 4: Under Versions, customize Save copies of files and Keep saved versions to best suit your needs
Step 5: Select Clean up versions below the 2 customizations from the previous step
Step 6: In the displayed menu, customize deleting old versions from the dropdown menu. For example, if you want to delete all backups except the most recent one, select Clean up and finally choose Save changes
Remove unnecessary applications
Unused applications that no longer serve a purpose should be removed to free up space for more useful software and documents. Additionally, pre-installed apps can also be manually uninstalled. To perform the removal process, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Window + I combination and select System
Step 2: Choose Apps & features, then select the software you want to uninstall, followed by clicking Uninstall
Delete duplicate photos
For photographers or simply photo enthusiasts who capture memorable moments with loved ones and friends, having large-sized photos is understandable. The major issue lies in having numerous duplicate photos scattered across the computer, often unnoticed by users. To address this problem, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download the Duplicate Image Finder tool, install it, and open the application
Step 2: Add paths on the left (locations where the software will scan for duplicate photos) and add paths on the right (locations to be excluded from the search)
Step 3: Below, there are several options for users
Understanding what constitutes a 'duplicate' image: You will select the percentage of matching images, matching names, and matching file sizes.
Image files to process: You will choose which formats to scan and ignore.
Ignore images: You can choose folders to exclude, such as temporary folders, system folders, black and white images, etc.
Step 4: After customizing the settings, select Start Processing
Step 5: Choose the duplicate photos you don't want to keep, then proceed to select Delete
Step 6: In the window that appears, ensure you select the second line, Delete n selected images in this group, then click Ok
Delete browser junk files, logs, cache...
The aforementioned steps have relieved a considerable burden on your hard drive, but browser log files, cache, and temp files generated during software usage are not easily found. Let Piriform's Ccleaner help you with this task.
Step 1: Download CCleaner and proceed with the installation
Step 2: Under the Windows tab, check the items you want to clean up, do the same under the Applications tab, then select Analyze for the software to perform analysis
Step 3: Proceed to select Run Ccleaner to start the cleanup process
With these 5 cleaning methods, you have undoubtedly reclaimed a significant amount of storage space on your hard drive, using it for installing new software or storing more useful files. Furthermore, cleaning up will make your system run faster, significantly improving computer performance. Additionally, you can explore the top best PC cleaning software such as CCleaner or Advanced SystemCare. CCleaner, as mentioned earlier, while Advanced SystemCare offers comprehensive system cleaning, optimization, and protection.
Moreover, on Windows 10, you can set up automatic deletion of downloaded files to free up disk space instead of forgetting or not knowing where the default download folder is located. The trick to automatically delete downloaded files on Windows 10 is very simple to set up, wishing you success.
