How to clean a C drive in Windows operating systems

When working with Windows, users often need to solve a number of maintenance tasks for this operating system. For example, you have to learn how to clean the C drive.

What is it for

As you know, the available hard drive space can be partitioned into an arbitrary number of partitions - so-called logical disks. The one on which the operating system is installed is called "system", and, as a rule, it is assigned the letter "C". Accordingly, if the hard drive is not partitioned, then there is only one disk C. Due to the peculiarities of the system, this directory is gradually clogged with unnecessary files, because of which the available space is reduced. Therefore, figuring out how to properly clean the C drive, you can to some extent save. The need to purchase a new hard drive after such a procedure is postponed.

Options for how to clean a local drive C

There are several ways to clean the system partition. One of them involves the use of third-party programs, the other is based on the built-in Windows Wizard, and the third is the independent removal of unnecessary ones. The best among them is not, because each has its own advantages.

Third-Party Applications

The most known program is CCleaner, which exists in the free version. After installation and launching on the left, select the "Cleanup" icon. In the "Applications" and "Windows" tabs, check the unnecessary files (in the Russian version everything is intuitively understandable) and click "Analysis". An approximate amount of data to be deleted will be displayed, which will be deleted after clicking "Clear". The advantage is obvious - there is no need to delve into the details of how to clean the C drive, since everything does the program. The disadvantage is that if the settings are incorrect, you can damage the operating system itself, which will require its reinstallation (there were precedents).

Built-in wizard

In Windows systems, a software mechanism is implemented that allows you to automatically delete unnecessary files. Many users know that if you do not clean the recycle bin and temp folder for a long time, a message appears on the desktop about the need for this procedure. This program can be run forcibly, without waiting until the set limit of the "aging time" is reached. To do this, open the "Computer" icon, invoke the properties of the system partition and click the "Disk Cleanup" button below the image of the disk space allocation. The window will only have to tick off unnecessary data and confirm the changes. Obviously, there is nothing complicated in how to clean the C drive with this solution. The drawbacks include "narrow specialization" and, as a consequence, only partial removal of unnecessary files.

Manual erasure

A person who knows how to clean a C drive manually, theoretically can most effectively perform this task. The disadvantage is that it is necessary to understand well enough what file is needed for and what it is possible to remove without harm to the operation of the operating system. We will specify only some folders which can be erased from a disk:

- the contents of the temp directory. It can be located on the path "Windows \ Temp", as well as "Users \ real user name \ AppData \ Local \ Temp";

- when you install a Microsoft Office suite in the root directory of the system disk, you create a temporary Office directory. You can uninstall it after the installation is complete.