| The objective of good PC Maintenance is to keep | | | | explanation of the category.As a general rule, always |
| the PC operating efficiently with minimal disruption. A | | | | consider the impact of change to your system. Have |
| part of that process is to keep the PC as free as | | | | a backup of all data that you may need. Review |
| possible of extraneous data. One way to do that is | | | | what is found in each of these categories to be sure |
| to run the disk cleanup utility that is a part of the | | | | that it is what you think it is. Once you are |
| Windows operating system. It removes | | | | comfortable with what it is and that you can safely |
| "unnecessary" files from the PC and gives you for | | | | remove it, then run the disk cleanup. For years, I |
| available disk space.The disk cleanup program does | | | | have been running the disk cleanup utility with ALL |
| not require administrative privileges and, therefore, | | | | categories selected and have had no problem as a |
| can be run by any user. It is found under Start | | | | result. I encourage you to use this utility and to |
| Programs/Accessories/System Tools. You can run it | | | | follow it with a disk defragmentation.This article |
| by double-clicking its icon. You can also run it from a | | | | contains suggestions for the use of utility programs |
| command line or automate the process. For more | | | | under the Windows operating system. They are |
| information, check this Microsoft web page: "How to | | | | based on years of use, but they may not be the |
| Automate the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP" at | | | | right suggestions for you and your PC environment. |
| what you wish to be processed by the disk cleanup | | | | Before you follow any technical suggestion, be sure |
| from the following:* Downloaded Program Files | | | | that you have a current (and tested) backup of all |
| * Temporary Internet | | | | system and data files and that you can restore the |
| * Recycle Bin | | | | system if necessary. You are welcome to contact |
| * Temporary Remote Desktop Files | | | | me if you encounter a problem, but I assume no |
| * Setup Log Files | | | | responsibility for your actions and/or use of the |
| * Offline Files | | | | information provided and disclaim any legal |
| * Compress Old Files(This compresses rather than | | | | responsibility for any negative results of such |
| deletes files. If you need them again, there will be a | | | | actions.Copyright 2006 by Tim Flynt. All rights |
| slight delay as they are decompressed. If you select | | | | reserved.Tim Flynt has spent over 25 years |
| this option, you will also have an option of the | | | | dedicated to efficient application and utility systems. |
| number of days the system will wait before it will | | | | Experienced in higher education, entertainment, and |
| compress an idle file.)You may see other categories | | | | software development organizations. Current interest |
| than these. You can highlight the item to see an | | | | in "PC Maintenance Management. |