How can I free up space on my hard drive without screwing something up???

Answer 1

Go to the start button (in the bottom-left corner) and click on 'search.' When the search window pops up, search all files and folders for the filename *.* (star dot star) and this will bring up all the files on your computer.

If the window isn't listing them in a detailed fashion "size, location, etc." right-click the white space and go to view>detailed view. You should know see all the details. Go to the 'size' category and click on 'size' until it lists the files from biggest to smallest. You should now see the biggest files on your computer. Delete the ones you don't need for big gains in free space.

Another thing to do is run Clean-up, that frees up some space.
Another way is to keep your internet browser from storing up a lot of internet data -- this can use up a lot of space. Go to tools>options and find where you can customize how much space the browser takes up for storing webpage data -- make it as small as you want -- It basically stores pictures, and webpages of commonly visited sites so they load faster, but it's not necessary, and it sounds like you really need the space.

Answer 2

Delete All Files from this paths (X is your windows drive):
1- X:\Documents and Settings \ {username} \ Local Settings \ Temp

2- X:\Windows\Temp

3- X:\Windows\Prefetch

4- Goto Control Panel, Power Options , Hibernation Tab and uncheck the "Enable Hibernation". and delete the hiberfile.sys in your windows drive (it is a hidden and system file)

5- Search for all files with tmp or temp extension and delete ALL them

6- convert your drive type to NTFS and Compress the files that you don't use them many times. (to convert drive X to NTFS use this command in run: convert X: /fs:ntfs)

Answer 3

I accept as true with Ben Y and had to function which you may desire to obtain an antispyware application and be sure you do not have undercover agent ware stealing device aspects. there are multiple loose ones. Spybot is one. And in case you have report sharing application like ShareBear solid success. That stuffs a multitude.

Answer 4

Use the Disk Defragmenter to rearrange your hard drive. This program will put all the fragments in one spot & make your computer run better. I run mine once a week to make sure my computer's running at it's best.

Answer 5

Run disk clean up then defrag should help some. Other wise start putting music/pictures you want to keep on CD and delete programs your not using.

Answer 6

Buy a second HDD and transfer all of the media files to it. The 2nd HDD is also great for makeing Backups that work.

Answer 7

if ur hard drive format is ntfs, u get to find compress drive, which gives u a good space abt 5 - 10% of ur drive and it doesnt srew ur drive.

Answer 8

Uninstall any old programs that you no longer use. Another good way would be to go into your "C" drive and find any files, pictures, movies that you don't need and delete them.

Answer 9

Start-> control panel-> performance & maintenance->rearrange items on ur hard disk to make programs run faster

Answer 10

clean out your temporary internet files, remove any games you don't play, save music to cds instead of the hard drive, defragment it