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    jabag11's Avatar
    jabag11 Posts: 105, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 19, 2011, 12:18 PM
    What's the easiest way to clean out your computer for more space?
    It seems that I am running out of space on my computer, I heard there are usually files on your computer that you don't need, how can I find those? Or what should I do, I don't even know?
    I have a macbook pro 10.5.8.
    I already bought an ex hard drive, but instead of emptying some stuff onto the hard drive I would rather try emptying out the laptop of stuff I don't need?
    FadedMaster's Avatar
    FadedMaster Posts: 1,510, Reputation: 148
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 19, 2011, 08:19 PM
    If you're not sure whether you need it or not, don't delete it. You might delete a file you need to run a program.

    Some files that you should be okay deleting would be files you've downloaded, like installer files to programs you've already installed. You could also uninstall any programs or games you no longer need or use.

    If you have media files like videos, pictures, or songs that you no longer need, you could delete those or move them to your external drive.
    ITstudent2006's Avatar
    ITstudent2006 Posts: 2,243, Reputation: 329
    Networking Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jan 19, 2011, 10:08 PM

    The first place I always look when I clean out my HDD is the downloads folder.

    Also, you have to consider what is using your space. If you're losing space due to music, videos, images, docs etc... then I would suggest utilizing your external HDD. If you're losing space due to installers and previous programs I would uninstall all unused programs as stated by FadedMaster!

    A lot of people out there will suggest cleaning out temp folders which isn't a bad idea and others will suggest cleaning out prefetch as well (which I don't recommend).
    jabag11's Avatar
    jabag11 Posts: 105, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    Jan 20, 2011, 10:56 AM
    Comment on ITstudent2006's post
    Thank you, but how do I know which folders are "temporary folders?
    jabag11's Avatar
    jabag11 Posts: 105, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #5

    Jan 20, 2011, 10:57 AM
    Comment on FadedMaster's post
    Than you!
    ITstudent2006's Avatar
    ITstudent2006 Posts: 2,243, Reputation: 329
    Networking Expert
    		  
    #6

    Jan 20, 2011, 12:13 PM

    There are a few temp locations. The biggest one is your temporary internet files.

    Another one is C:\WINDOWS\Temp

    And the last one is accessed via the run tool. Go to run type %temp%.

    Regardless of what others say never clean your prefetch folder. This folder is used by Windows to load data or instructions for a program in anticipation that you'll need it. This is good for programs you use a lot or on a daily basis. Clearing this will decrease program load time and bootup because Windows will need to re-add prefetch parameters.

    I advise getting CCleaner to do a lot of cleaning for you!

    CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
    Expert
    		  
    #7

    Jan 20, 2011, 12:14 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ITstudent2006 View Post
    There are a few temp locations. The biggest one is your temporary internet files.

    Another one is C:\WINDOWS\Temp

    And the last one is accessed via the run tool. Go to run type %temp%.

    Regardless of what others say never clean your prefetch folder. This folder is used by Windows to load data or instructions for a program in anticipation that you'll need it. This is good for programs you use alot or on a daily basis. Clearing this will decrease program load time and bootup because Windows will need to re-add prefetch parameters.

    I advise getting CCleaner to do a lot of cleaning for you!

    CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download
    Will all of this work on a MAC?
    ITstudent2006's Avatar
    ITstudent2006 Posts: 2,243, Reputation: 329
    Networking Expert
    		  
    #8

    Jan 20, 2011, 12:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by J_9 View Post
    Will all of this work on a MAC?
    No.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #9

    Jan 20, 2011, 12:17 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by jabag11 View Post
    I have a macbook pro 10.5.8.
    OP has a MAC. ;)
    ITstudent2006's Avatar
    ITstudent2006 Posts: 2,243, Reputation: 329
    Networking Expert
    		  
    #10

    Jan 20, 2011, 12:19 PM

    Thanks for the update :( and I'm an expert haa
    ITstudent2006's Avatar
    ITstudent2006 Posts: 2,243, Reputation: 329
    Networking Expert
    		  
    #11

    Jan 20, 2011, 12:21 PM

    In that case ignore all previous advice. Follow this link to clean out your MAC!

    CLICK HERE
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