File Hookup

There are many ways to clean up your computer, you can do it manually or you can use a program to do it for you.  I will discuss how to clean up manually but this will only be for Windows XP users.  The rest of the article will focus on the different applications that will do the job for you.  These applications can usually be used on any version of Windows.

Manual Way: Before we start the manual process you will need to change a file setting to make all the hidden folders viewable so we can access and clean them up.  To do this you need to:

1. Open Windows Explorer by right clicking on the start button and select “Explore“.  [SCREENSHOT]
2. Next, click “Tools” on the menu bar and select “Folder Options…“.[SCREENSHOT]
3. This will open a new window with many options, click the “View” tab and look for the option to “Show hidden files and folders” and check the radio button next to it.[SCREENSHOT]
4. Next click “Apply” and “OK” to close the window.

Now that we have all the hidden folders showing, we can proceed to clean them.  Here is how:

1. You should still have the Windows Explorer window open.  On the left side look down the list of folders and select the “Temp” folder.  When you click on this folder, you should see  “C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Local Settings\Temp” in the address bar at the top.  When contents of this folder is displayed you can highlight and delete everything in it.  (Note: You may get an error that certain files cannot be deleted, just skip over those files and delete as many as you can.)
2. Next, select the “Temporary Internet Files” folder (located right below the “Temp” folder on the left side of the Windows Explorer window.  If this folder is not showing you will have to manually type it in the address bar.) Click in the address bar and type in “C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files” [SCREENSHOT]
3. Once you access this folder you can delete everything in this folder.  (This may take a while so be patient)
4. Also in the “Temporary Internet Files” folder is another hidden folder called, “Content.IE5“.  This folder is usually still hidden even though we told Windows to show all files and folders.  To access it you will have to manually type it in the address bar, it should look like this:  “C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5“.  [SCREENSHOT]  You can delete everything in this folder. (Note: You may get an error that certain files cannot be deleted, just skip over those files and delete as many as you can.)
5. You’re done!
   

Cleaning Applications: There are many applications or programs that will clean your computer.  I have tested many of them and I have two that I like and will recommend.

1.  The first one is called, CCleaner.  CCleaner stands for “Crap Cleaner” and it really does what it is supposed to do.  I run it about once a month on my PC and it removes about 300- 400 MBs of “crap” that is built up on my machine. It removes temporary and unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.  It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history and more.  Additionally it contains a full featured registry cleaner that will clean up remnants of old/uninstalled programs from your computer’s registry.  Here is how you use it:

1. Download CCleaner from http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
2. Install and run it.
3. When the programs starts, and click the “Cleaner” button on the left.
4. Now simply click the “Run Cleaner” button. [SCREENSHOT]
5. To clean your registry, select the “Registry” button on the left.
6. Next click the “Scan for Issues” button.  This will locate all the bad registry entries .
7. When that is finished, click the “Fix selected issues…“
8. You will get a message asking if you want to “backup changes to registry“, choose “No”.
9. Finally, you will be presented with another screen, choose “Fix All Selected Issues” and “Close” buttons. [SCREENSHOT]
10. That’s it, you’re done!  Do this at least once a month to keep your computer running like a champ.

2.  The second program is called, Glary Utilities.  This programs is like the Swiss Army knife of cleaning programs.  It cleans, repairs, scan, and so much more.  I will only address it’s cleaning abilities but you can play around with it’s numerous other awesome features if you want…I highly recommend you do so!  Here is how to use it

1. Download Glary Utilities from http://majorgeeks.com/Glary_Utilities_d5870.html
2. Install and run it.
3. When it opens, click the “1-Click Maintenance” tab. [SCREENSHOT]
4. Put a check in all the boxes.  Next to the “Tracks Eraser” box, click the “Options” link and choose “Select tracks you want to erase”.  This will open a window called, “Privacy Tracks“.
5. In the “Privacy Tracks” screen, put a check next to every box and click the “OK” button. [SCREENSHOT]
6. Now click the green “Scan for Issues” button and wait for Glary Utilities to identify all the files that will be removed.
7. When it is finished, click the green “Repair Problems” button.
8. That’s it, you’re done!  Again, do this at least once a month to keep your computer running like a champ.

One final note: You do not need to use both CCleaner and Glary Utilities, either one of them should be sufficient to keep your computer running like the day you bought it.